The Saint Paul globe., 1897-07-02

Democrats Of all shades of opinion
for, unhappily, there are still lights
and shadows in our party to be classt-
fied-will agree, at least, that it is
good thing to have the test applied
once more, as it will be this year, to
policy and an issue which has lately
overshadowed all others in the party's
councils. In at least three states, Ken
lucky, Iowa and Ohio, elections will be
held this fall, and in each of them
the issue Of the free coinage of silver
is brought uncompromisingly to the
front. with such differences of detail as
will make the results Of the balloting
exceedingly instructive. We have called
attention to the public declaration
of that shrewd veteran campaigner,
Gov. Boies, voicing his opinion that, on
the naked platform of independent free
coinage of silver by the United States
alone at the ratio of 16 to l, no party
can win. A trial, which most people
would regard as conclusive, was made
last year in the larger field. The eX-
pertinent will be tried over again in the
states mentioned, with the vastly great
er advantage on the side of the .egu-
lar Democratic organization arising
from the frightful record of the Re
publican party and administration in
the months since they have been in
power, and in the utter failure of the
party's promise to restore prosperity.
This alone would insure, in any or
dinary year, the defeat of the Repub-
licans in every state where they might
nominate a ticket. If they win at the
polls anywhere this fall, it will be be-
cause their demonstrated weakness is
overbalanced by some greater weak
ness in the opposition. The situation
in the three states named is exceed
ingly interesting, because the circum-
stances differ sufficiently in each case
to make the trial one on it's own ner
its.
In Kentucky there are two Demo-
cratic organizations, and there will be
two Democratic tickets in the field.
the Kentucky spirit. The convention
held by the regular organization was
unanimous for Blackburn and the sill
yer cause. Its platform adopted and it's
ticket is pledged to the 16 to 1 doctrine
on national issues, and in state affairs
is strongly intrenched behind the dis
reputable record of the Bradley ad-
ministration. On the other hand. the
Courier-JOurnal is making such a fight
as only Mr.. Watterson can make. The
leaders who held out in the last legis-
lature against the nomination of Black
burn and defeated his senatorial as
pirations have, in connection with 9TH
er prominent gold standard Democrats
signed call for a National Democratic
state convention that is about to be
held. This will put its own ticket In
the field. and the fight between the
two wings of the local Democracy will
be as bitter as that between either of
them and the Republicans.
In Iowa the fusion plan has been
carried out once more. Three conven-
tions met at Des Moines on the same
day and agreed to the same platform.
with free silver as it's principal plank.
A ticket was made up containing NOM
inees from the silver Republicans and
the POpulists, as well as the Demo-
Gratis, and the plan of campaign will
be that adopted in Minnesota last year.
So that, while Democrats will be pitted
against Democrats in Kentucky and
can stand up and be counted, the idea
of the fusionists, that parties are mere
names, and that principles can be
sunk out of sight in a combine to OBJ
tain control of the offices, will have its
day with the people of Iowa.
In Ohio the situation is still different.
Mr.. John r. Mclean, who has had his
eye fixed for many years upon a seat
in the senate, was the master spirit
of the state Democratic convention. His
supporters controlled it absolutely,
making such slight concessions as were
necessary to harmony. 1t was Mr..
McLean's idea and the conventions