The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-26
Tho Vain Efforts OF MI. Hill and Mr..
Whitney.

II Mr.. In and Mr.. WHITNEY are en-
gagged In efforts to interfere in shaping the
course Of the Democratic party in either
the State or the nation, they are not X
hibiting the political discernment with
which they have been credited in the past,
Both Of them are regarded with special sus.
picion and aversion by the men now in con-
troll Of the Democratic organization in the
city, State, and Union. The mere sugges-
tion that they are in conference or are unit
ing In any scheme for influencing Demo-
cratic policy has incensed the politicians
actually in power in the organization.
When Mr.. HILL and Mr.. WHITNEY tried
70 prevent the perversion of the Democratic
party at Chicago they soon discovered that
they were without influence with it, and
that the policy of the leaders of the conven-
tion was to drive them out of the Demo-
cratic party, V representing the very poll
cieS against which the majority were
determined to array the party specifically
and most bitterly. They were thrown
overheard without ceremony. Their room
was moro desired han their company.
The leaders In the new Democratic move
ment wanted to get them out of the way in
W ~ = . AIoLh thO I'LL
eompetition of men who had been 80 infiu-
entail in the party. 1t was necessary to I'M
load them, also. because they represented the
conservative Democratic element 30 obnox-
ious tothe Populist allies upon whose hearty
assistance depended the successful accom-
plishment Of the desperate enterprise under
taken at Chicago.
Considering the radical nature of this
transformation of the Democratic party
and the rapidity with which It was effect
cd, the success of the desperate experiment
was astonishing. The million Populists
who had stood apart in 1892 gave their
vote to BRYAN, and a large silver Republi.
can force Joined in the demonstration, with
the consequence that the revolutionized
Democratic party polled a million votes
moro than in 1892, when CLEVELAND was
elected. 1t was beaten only by the un.
precedented vote, both actually and rela-
lively to the population, which the most
vigorous campaign ever conducted In this
country brought out.
What reason is there for supposIng that
Mr.. Hill or Mr.. WHITNEY can now have
any more influence with the Democratic Or
ganization than they had last year7 They
are In q small minority, they are outside
tho intrenchments, and all the positions
Of advantage are occupied by the new
school Democrats, at whose mercy they are.
30 far as concerns the currency, their
views ara not distinguishable from those
Of Republicans. They are against the free
coinage OF silver at the ratio of 10 to /
without regard to any other nation, but
not more so than the Republicans. They
defend the authority and integrity of the
Supreme Court, but there also they are
fighting on Republican ground. The tariff
has disappeared as an issue making a sharp
line Of division between parties, the Demo-
cratic party after 1892 having DESTROYED
all chance of contest with the Republicans
over protection by itself adopting a protec.
tive tariff. The Chicago platform also
set that issue aside, and the Democrats in
the present Congress have split up with
reference to 1t.
Hence. as the political situation now is,
there remains only one cause of political
separation, and it is the Chicago platform.
1t affords the only reason for the existence
OF the Democratic party as now organized.
Its only distinction. Will the masters of
that organization allow Mr.. HILL or Mr..
WHITNEY or anybody else to kick away
the pillars on which their political con.
struction standsl They have gained con.
Goi Of the Democratic party through the