The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-10-16
OHIO DEMOCRATS.
Frantic 10 Throw bryan and Free
silver Overheard.

silver ONcrDouru.
The disorganized and flabbergasted
democracy OF Ohio certainly occupies
nm unenviable and unique position.
While The democratic managers andor-
CARNATIONS of other states are striving
with frantic haste 10 throw free silver
and Organism overheard. the demo-
cratic party of Ohio presents the lu-
ddcrous spectacle of making its cam
paign solely on the free-silver issue.
Even the democratic platform of Ohio
refuses TO recognize that any other
question besides that OF free silver en-
tiers into this campaign, and the un-
fortunate party which promulgated it
is bound thereby, hand and foot, to the
advocacy OF fallacy which is being dis
carded by the same party throughout
the country.
Among the latest democratic authori-
ties who admit that the free silver ques-
ton is dead is Gov. Charles r. OFerrall,
Of Virginia. In a speech delivered by
him on September IL, 1897. he said;
II am confident that the doctrines OF the
Chicago platform VIII not much longer be
masqueraded as democratic princples
ing tide OF prosperity. IL can only live ON
hard times. IL Is beginning TO pant for
breath already under the pressure OF the
advance In wheat and the reoponlng Of
mills. mines and factories. The free-sllver
campaign slogan OF last fall. as silver
falls wheat falls as silver advances wheat
advances, is no longer heard, and the
people are fast learning that IL Is the law
OF supply and demand, and not the price
OF silver that controls the prices Of the
fnrTnprfQ prnInptg and the IahOrinW name
wages.
Free, unlimited and Independent coin
age OF silver - doomed, and no strong polit-
teal party Of the present or future VIII
ever put Itself 70 death by declaring for IL
IN national convention"
Emphatic and plain as are Gov. O'Fer-
rails words. however, democratic au-
thority greater than he has abandoned
the sixteen TO one shIbboleth of 1896. A
few days ago the democratic state com
mittee Of New York met TO nom
mate supreme court Justice for the
state and TO cnunciate the principles of
the party for the fight 10 be carried on
in New York this fall. On the advice
Of Senator james *. Jones, chairman
Of the democratic national committee,
the New York state democratic commit
tee voted down the proposition TO re-
affirm the Chicago popocratic platform
OF 1896.
The national democratic chairman
wrote a letter which was read at the
meeting In question, in which he urged
the New York democrats 10 say nothing
about the platform or action OF the
last democratic national convention.
Senator Jones' letter read:
There could be nothing moro ind'scrcet
or impolit!c than for the state central
committee 10 assume authority which IL
did not possess. and Il especially should
be careful 20 follow presidents, and not
give occasion for criticism on the charge
OF being revolutionary IN It's methods.
The state committee. as | understand.
has authority from the convention TO
nominate candidate for judge. This
empowers the committee 10 do that but
tho state convention did not authorize
them 10 frame platform or 10 either In
dorse or condemn tho action OF the state
convention or any national convention
1T seems 20 inc that for them 70 assume
such authority would lay them open TO
criticism. Without presumlng 10 critciso
tho action OF the state central commits
toe. over which. OF course. | have no sort
u control. | venture 20 suggest that the
wise and polite thing for them 20 do IS 10
follow the exact line OF their authority.
Careful as was the eminent democrat
&c author Of this letter in choosing his
words, IL was nevertheless impossible
for him TO conceal the fact that he was
afraid that a reaflirmation OF the free
silver platform would be fatal TO his
party.
Senator Jones was right, and Gov.
O'Fcrrall was right. The party that
again declares for free silver in this
country viii. in the words Of Gov O'Fer-
ran, put itself 20 DEATH" and that is
just what the democratic party of Ohio
has done. II has committed suicide.
and there are no mourncrs TO lament its
demise.-Cincinnati Commercial Trib-
une.
DRIFT OF OPINION.