The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-30


Although tho silver issue is prac-
ticany dead IL must not be forgotten
lha6 the combination which WAS
so saccsasfuI In this state and
SO naenacng in some others only rallied
TO the silver st.tndard ~ the most con-
spicGous object The Peo9es party. as
an organization. do not believe in free sill
yer. they were only willing to have it
tried in order TO demonstrate it's futility.
and as a step toward tat money. Many
Democrats did not then and do not now
believe In free silver. but voted for il be-
cause II WIS in the Chicago platform. and
WAS a stepping stone TO success. There
are in the ranks OF Free Silver Republi-
cans many men who did not care anything
for free silver. but used that as weapon
with which To wreak vengeance on the
majority IN the party 10 which they for
merIy belonged.
The campaign was not one so much in
favor of free silver IL was OF general
discomfort due to the hard times on the
part of the rank and file. and 10 a deter
rnIna;iop To resort to anything which
the campaign had been fought on behalf
of a principle in which many believed il
would bs dangerous now. II is not dan
geroas a. an issue. but IL was the means
Of creating a sort Of organization which
has been successful in putting into Office
men who could never have hoped to win
inside their party ranks. and their sue
sff M fag n
hold the paltriest public position. 1t is
not n principle that will unite the dis
eor,iaat forces II is a selfish and person
al interest. II Is no use trying 10 argue
with men about principle when their in
dlvidual interests point in an opposite
direction.
This view OF the matter applies TO the
nation as well as TO the state. Even SO
conservative a paper as the Philadelphia
Ledger warns the Republican leaders
against allowing things to so by default.
II attaches more Importance than one
would suppose TO the launching of the
Silver Republican party. II the believers
In free silver were 10 act by themselves
shey would &c as lnpocuous as the green
barkers. bar sor the reasons given they
are too formidable % be ignored. The
leaders or taat party undoubtedly see
thag shey mast appeal 10 Others thau the
believers In free silver. Ex-C2Esresernan
Towue. 90 Minnesota. wuHe ATTACHING
considerable Importance 70 that iss.i-
announced .Ast social aaa Industrial evo-
luton IS bringing &C. the front other ques-
tons aaiea demand attention. many Of
which hate lnaE oyea advocated ~ the
Topall>; uarty. aaG he expressed the hope
that in is9 the Silver Democrats. Popu-
lists and Silver Republicans may he
merged Into ONE strong ana seryiceabse
instrument tor ;he political regeneration
= she eouatry."
There would be less 10 fear il IL we're
rot for thy constitution OF the United
States senate. The Republicans appear
~ IN Gnited and tn ccutro' because Of
the adhesion 81 jhe Free Silver Rep4ht-
cans. some Populis,s, aa5 a decided NUM-
bsr az Democrats wno are in favor os Sc
passase ~ the tar,fy bib s. soon as tsat
measure shall lee passed. however the
parties wlt BE broker up iuto thsIr sever
tt factions always ready to uuIte in a
combination agalnFt The Republicans. Tho
eommoa cause thns made VIII scr s. an
example thro4Shout fhe country because.
500 II mast ~ borne ia mind taat I. ta,
free silver issue a dead So the tarT IS
sae viii Re.
There IS every reason - Nxqect mat
prosperity win fellow the passage af the
t.1 h@t 81 VIII te prosperity compass