The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-07
SUNDAY. NOVEMBER 7. 1897.
THE RESULT IN KENTUCKY.

Much, will no DOUBT, be mace py INC
free silverites OF the result OF the recent
election in Kentucky and the so-called
surrender of Colonel Henry Watterson.
IRE simple fact is. Colonel Watterson
made a great blunder when he encouraged
me nomination OF a sound money Demo-
cratic Ticket in a purely state election
ana ne is now getting out Of the wreck
as best he can Almost the identical sit
uation. the same question. was presented
mere in Virginia, and IL some gentlemen
had had their way a sound money Demo-
cratic ticket would have been put up
mere. But II was plain TO us, that the
silver question and the Chicago platform
were not subjects really involved and
Whatever the Roanoke convention or any
other convention might say, the people
would go to the root OF the matter and
vote upon the substantial issues. II was
equally plain that the welfare of Virginia,
as Of Kentucky, depended upon the SUI
prenacy OF the white people, into whose
hands the destiny OF the State is irrevo-
cabIy committed, and that 1t would be
FOLLY to attempt 10 expect these people to
abandon their fixed political association,
upon irrelevant issues.
me money question and other national
issues are to be handled by themselves
ana only by reason and information can
our people be drawn from errors Of the
free silver belief or made to understand
oh, Of
rorrn begotten by Altgeld and Tillman,
and labelled Democratic"
what therefore TO us seemed plain was
not so understood by Colonel Watterson,
and the consequence was defeat. but
not for sound money. 1t was the defeat
or blunder. and blunder too that we
repeat would have been committed in Vir-
ginia, had certain gentlemen OF the Wat
tefson type have had their way.
The Louisville Evening Post, which has
ever been an honest. earnest and able
champion OF the cause OF sound money.
tells the whole story in the following edi-
torial article. 1t says:
Mr.. Hindman was called TO lead the d.
vided forces Of sound money, not by any
desire OF his own. but by the demands OF
political associates who were determined
10 have him lead forlorn hope through
a slaughter-house TO an open grave.
Governor Hindman's campaign did him
INFINITE credit. II was conducted rom the
standpoint of Democrat who had no
compromise TO make with the errors Of
Populism or OF Republicanism, but Il was
Tree from bitterness or false political
prophecies.
All that one man could do 10 redeem an
initial Dlunder Governor Hindman did
and ne was ably seconded by Senator
Lindsay, General Buckner and an admra-
ble band OF oratorical martyrs
But the end was plain from the begin
ming. Neither the occasion nor the cir
cumstances called for or excused third
ticket In Kentucky this year. The Demo-
cratic party desired peace and time. that
81 might heal the wounds given and receiv-
ed In inter-party strife.
We could afford TO ignore. though we
could not accept. the platform adopted
at Frankfort We could have shown a
forbearance and tolerance. the absence
OF which In our opponents we all so great
~ depiore. We could have said. Move
forward. we move with you; move back
ward. and we stand still"
me challenge given should not have been
accepted: Twice when the issue was a
pressing one Kentucky had declared for
sound money; we could have rested on the
record. and have shown what a united
party could do 10 redeem the past.
ihat the people. regardless OF their
leaders. have done. The Republicans have
been beaten by the organized Democratic
party. over 5000 Democrats In Jefferson
county alone who 1896 voted for Mckinley
in 1897 voted for Shackelford, (the silver
ite Democracy not because they have
changed their views on silver, but be-
cause they are Democrats and are deter
mined whenever conscience permits 10
vote with that party.
There was no occasion under the sun for
rnis rght in Kentucky. IL was a local
contest and no national Issues were in
VOWED kentucky is Democratic state
a large majority OF Its voters arc opposed
70 free silver and when that was made
the one great issue in the Presidential
eiecuon OF 1925. those Democrats who be-
neved that the triumph OF Organism
would b disastrous 20 the interests Of this
country went 20 the polls and voted
against the Chicago nominee.
Bus this ala not mean that they pro-
posed IN local contests 70 sntaScrdzs the