Evening journal., 1897-06-11
WILL DEMOCRATS UNITE?

At different junctures in our short
but varied career as a great lauded ma
tion, we have seen some surprising po-
litical entanglements. Party factions
have disturbed the even tenor Of every
organization that has arisen to nation
al prominence, but such an interesting
revolt as that which broke out in the
ranks Of the Democratic file at Chicago
about a year ago has never been known
before. The split between the gold
and silver" Democrats was the result
OF a perfectly legitimate division OF
opinion in the old party fold. It can
not be denied, however, that 1t was
this split that placed Mckinley in the
White House, and that unless some
compromise is made by Mr.. Bryan and
his enthusiastic followers the same op-
position weakness will return themajor
TO his present high office in 1900. The
late presidential candidate appears to
be opposed to a treaty between the war
ring factions. Everywhere he goes the
cry mo compromise" comes from his
lips with that vocal intensity which
characterized his work in the late
campaign.
What Mr.. Bryan's plans are is a
closed book. Even his most Intimate
friends either do not know or pretend
not to know his views or intentions.
Whether he is inwardly anxious to ef-
feet some sort of compromise with the
gold Democrats or feels strong enough
TO go 1t alone again in 1900, is a
question for open speculation. There
is one thing certain, however, the
Democratic party will not be able to
leave Mr.. Bryan out of the question. A
man who can poll 6,5OO,OOO votes is not
to be lost sight of, especially in these
days when a president can be elected
without New York State, and further
more the present administration farce
in continual performance at the Capt.
tol is serving as strong influential
advertisement for the great silyerite
Instead OF sinking out of sight MI
Bryans popularity is quite likely to in
crease, 1t is not improbable that he
will succeed Mr.. Mckinley, and succeed
him in spite Of all the opposing Demo,
cratic faction can do. in case no COM
promise should be reached.
Perhaps the most sifinificant obser-
walton in favor of the projected Demo
cratic reunion is the recent remarks
opd o,tfOpg - VvuIfo,, ~ KKrlft,o,
the leader Of the goldite faction. Mr.
Whitney is reported by the New York
Tribune as saying that the Republi.
can party has disappointed the men ol
independence and patriotic sentiments
who cut loose from their wonted affil
ations and gave it's candidate theh
generous support" IF such a meas
ure as the Dingley bill had been out
lined before the election" added Mr.
Whitney, 1t might have been disas
trous to Mr.. McKinley's success" Doe
Mr.. Whitney mean to infer that If h,
had known that such a tariff as th'
Dingley bill provides for would be th'
result of the election of Mckinley, h
would have voted for Mr. Bryan?
This is a difficult question to an
swer. Mr.. Whitney was CONSIDERS
the backbone Of Mr.. Bryan's factiona
opposition during the recent battle ]
is hardly possible that he should en-
dorse even a compromise of the silver
ite ideas, but his words certainly sug
gest a waver in that direction.
Certain Tammany politicians an
others who are in sympathy with tn
organization are making every effoI
to induce Whitney to take an activ
part in the campaign. They profes
to believe that the personal infiuenC
OF Mr.. Whitney would induce man
sound money Democrats to support III
Tammany ticket, even if the organic;
tion should again endorse the Chicae
platform. This new aspect which M
Whitney's unexpected advances hay
placed upon the national Democrat
situation has attracted all attention
the ex-secretary of the.navy. The GU
come is awaited with rare interest.