The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-27
ONE ROAD TO VICTORY.
Louisville COurier-JOurnnI Points II
Out for 1900.

1t was the opinion OF the editor of the
Courier-JOurnal. and he has not changed his
opinion, that the action of the Chicago con-
| Vention OF 1896 was not merely revolutionary,
and, therefore, binding upon no Democrat.
but dangerous to the country and ruinOus to
the party Being wholly sincere in this be-
lief, and having the courage Of its opinion,
the Courier-Journal sought to meet the sit
uaton with a cOuntermOvement designed,
as IL still further believed, TO rescue the
party from the hands of the extremists into
which 1t had fallen. Touching this latter
movement 1t is free to admit that It made
two mistakes; first the movement did not
draw to 1t Democrats enough to lay the foun-
datlon Tor future party action, and, second,
il it had. IL would have accomplished the
object it was designed to prevent the sue
cess of the revolutionary ticket and platform
which were set up by the Chicago convention
Still further put to the test in Kentucky the
movement showed the same lack of vitality
But. as far as the COurier-Journal was and
is concerned. 1t was a Democratic movement.
1t had no other aim than the maintenance of
Democratic doctrines, no other purpose than
the yindication OF Democratic policies. 1t
was distinctly an honest effort to stand be-
tween two dangerous extremes with the hope
OF ultimately retaining the Democratic ex-
treme from the excuses threatened by the flu
sion with Populism and free silver Repub-
lGanism. and Of thus restoring the party to
its better self as the apostle Of the doctrines
taught by Jefferson and Jackson.
Herein the editor of the Courier Journal Is
not conscious Of having gone out or come
back. He is preaching now, as he has always
preached the gospel of home rule free trade
ard honest money against centraization pro-
lection and fiatism. Whatever party embod-
les the gospel Of home rule free trade and
honest money, that party will he support,
In the absence OF any party organization en-
bodying them pure and simple that party
which comes nearest to doing so will he sun
port. 1t is not the business of a newspaper
to call conventions. set up candidates for
Office and look after the carrying of elections:
and about such concrete things the Courier
Journal will never again concern itself Ii
has had enough of what is called practical
politics.
But. with Difference to our friends SUI
perior judgment, may we not venture the
opinion that. In planning for 1900 an exact
reproduction Of the campaign of 1896 he fore
casts another Democratic defeat more sweep
ing that the last? On the lines of the latest
Chicago platform, with Mr. Bryan in the
lead. there can be nothing less in store for
those who would put end to the policy
of robbery and jobbery. which is the direct
offspring Of paternalism. The malnstay Of
free silve-ism, as Of fatism, is the notion
that wealth may be created by legislation.
That is also the mainstay Of protectionism.
Ours is Of the foremost nations Of Chrsten-
DOM We cannot afford debased money Of any
sort. We cannot afford to degrade the coin
age and relegate ourselves to the financial
company Of Mexico. We cannot afford to Is
sue irredeemable paper and drop into fiscal
companloship with Italy. The South learned
during the days Of the Confederacy exactly
The fusion effected at Chicago in 1896 was
certainly d promising fusion. Mr.. Bryan was
certainly an ideal candidate for that fusion.
Neither the fusion movement nor its candi-
date viii ever be strong again. Even
their triumph In an election would not neces-
sarily imply free silver and fiat money, be-
cause. every American being a born inan-
cier, the likelihood is that success at the
polls would be followed by such a Babel in
congress as to destroy the party brought
into power at the end Of popular revolu-
ton.
However, let us not 90 too fast. Many
things are likely to happen between this and
1900 It is not well 10 insist too strongly upon
any aspect Of conditions which are shifting
so from time to time To win in 1900, the
Democratic party must plant itself upon high
and solid ground. and In that centennial year,
seeking a thorough Jelfersonian revival, 1t
must preach the gospel Of Jefferson and Jack
son. in a Democracy unterrifed and unde-
fled. true to the nation and the people.
That, in our Judgment. Is the only Gre
sure road to victory.-Courier-Jo