The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-06-30

There has not been, since the close
OF the campaign of 1896, an event Of
such political significance as the decla-
ration by Gov. BOies, of Iowa, that the
issue Of the free coinage Of silver at
the ratio of Is to 1 by this country
alone must be abandoned, because it
is losing one. From no other man
would this come with greater effect,
because Gov. Boies is the great Ameri-
can apostle Of the doctrine of expedi-
ency. If a man who IS an ardent advo-
cate of either the gold standard or the
silver standard comes out with an
abdication of his views, it means only
that such man has changed his opin-
ION. He had a strong personal con-
viction one way, and he has now a
strong personal conviction the other.
That accounts for much or little. ac-
cording to his personal influence. but
1t does not materially modify the
facts of the situation
But Gov. Boies has always been in
politics to win. He gave his adhesion
some time ago to the free silver cause
because he believed it necessary to
success at the polls. He has been
very earnest ever since in attempting
TO frame some sort of compromise be-
tween the extreme views Of either
side. He has been a prominent
leader and candidate in the Dem
ocratic ranks. He achieved the
rare distinction Of overturning the
enormous Republican majority in Iowa.
and, but for the control established in
the Chicago convention by the radical
wing or the party, he would most
likely have been the last Democra tic
nominee for the presidency He was
not one OF those who stood out on
principle. He accepted the dictum of
his party and worked IovalIv and
heartily for the success of its candi-
oates on its platform. There is nothing
OF the sore-head about him. He has
however enough at stake politically
to scan anXiously the signs Of tbo
times.
His whole past shows that st,dv
'Io" peSt TO win as he always
does, he would not put himself ~,
record publicly unless he had become
absolutely convinced of the wisdom
or unWisdom of the particular noIiev
Oh Whlcn ne passed. This man. Of
wide experience, of natural Judgment
and the farthest possible removed from
the idealist, who would not wil1ino1v
sacrifice personal or party success to
the advocacy Of principle, tells his
party associates now that the free
silver issue is a mistake, because #
VIII not win. Although as far as avar
removed from supporting the single
gold standard, he says that the mass Of
the people Of this country believe that
the 16 to doctrine means silver mono
metallism, and that they will never
accept it. AS between the pure issue Of
the gold standard and the silver stand
ard, his judgment is that the former
must continue to win
OPi4iAOIl, COHl1US rom SuCh
man, deserves at least careful con-
sdderatiOn. Political parties have a
double meaning. They voice PRINCIPLES
and they are also organizations formed
Tor the purpose Of taking control Of
the government and administering if
Even when the former element pre-
dominates, the hope Of the latter is
always present, and is necessary TO
continued existence. No agitation is
continued forever after it is demon
strated that those who promoted it
must always remain a minority. The
hope CT success and the belief that
1t can be achieved are vital to
the existence Of any party. On
this side expediency is a necessary
and valuable element in political
elaboration. The argument Of Gov.
Bcies is that he is as much of q silver
man as he ever was, but that the
naked proposition to set up the silver
standard in the United States, by
adopting the policy of Independent fr re
coinage at the ratio Of 16 to 1, Is in
compatible with success at the polls