The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-14
THE SOCIAL TER MOIL.
The Dark Clouds In the Political shy Ne Dis
cerned by Henry wnttersen.

From the Louisville Courier Journal.
Another century has passed, and, turning from the
lessons of the reign OF terror OF France to the results
Of the victory for civil and religious liberty In
America, what do we see? We see that liberty
threatened by the license which enguifed the French;
we see all that was achieved by the wisdom and mod.
GRAFTON OF the fathers OF the American Revolution
menaced by the llneal descendants OF tho fathers OF
the reign Of terror. In Gov. Atgeld behold Ro-
bcspierre: in Tillman, Danton: In Henry George. a
possible reproduction Of thnt humane philosopher
who. maddened by too much ~trooding over tho
wrongs of man. became the bloody Marat.
Robcspierre, Danton. and Mnrat operated upon q
limited territory; Paris was France. But modern in.
vention has abolished time and space, has conccn.
trated population 30 that the torch which lights
Chicago may readily ignite New York. Except for a
arm hand at Washington. the havoc OF property In
Chicago three years ago would soon have dccpened
into a havoc OF men. and the appetite for blood once
started nothing short OF military absolutism and
martial law could have stayed the hands Of organized
riot. embracing in their grasp every populous centre
In the land.
That parties are in a fluid state ought to tie by this
time clear to the simplest mind. but in Greater New
York we have set up on n single stage and placed in
full view Of the audience n vitascopic illustration
which admits of no misunderstanding. The mise en-
scene is but a facsimile In miniature OF the whole
country. The dramatic persona are but models
from which countless reproductions Will be made.
There we see organized Democra,y. led by Tam
many, striving to regain possession. and organized
Repubiicanism. led by Plat. striving to hold Its own.
On either hand two unknown quantities appear-the
conservative rich. led by Seth Low; the radical poor.
led by Henry George. Was ever a political contest In
France or Spain moro permeated by c~ontrawise
counsels. more emphasized by rival ambitions?
In the end 1t is tolcrabiy certain that few OF the
promises made will be redeemed, and none of the
hopes realized. except those that are personal to tho
actual rictors in the fray. But the vote cast will
mean a great deal. because. though never so incon.
elusive In Itself. II Will indicate with a certain degree
OF accuracy tho strength Of parties and have besides
a tale Of tendencies to tell.
Outside OF New York-and It is here that we in Ken.
lucky are most concerre what do we sec? We SEQ
the frce'silver extremists everywhere inclinins to
George. though George says he Is not for free silver.
in spite OF the fact that he stands on a free. silver
platform. and represents not a regu. ar nomination,
but a bolt.
What does this mean? II means simply trat, fail.
ing to get free silver, the next hand to be played by
the free silverites is fiat money. Back Of that money
stand the rest OF Mr.. Georges Utopian thcorles-the
abolition of property in land through tie single tax
theory. the public Ownership OF ra.lwess. elcgraph,,
and benevolent institutions. free trade by ayrarian
process, and a centralized. pate snal Government