The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1897-02-13
TO IDAHO REPUBLICANS; IRRE-
SPE0TiVE or FACTION.

1t is needless to say that the net re
suit of the political combinations ant
descriptions OF the last year is wide
spread dissatisfaction. The SO callet
union OF Democrats and Popuiistt
has served only to bring out in bolde
relief the naturally antagonistic ele
ments of which Democracy and Popu
lism are composed, and the disruption
of the Republican party has demon
strated the unwisdom of even tenn
pOrary enforcement of naturally con
gruOus elements. But it seems tha
the upheaval was unavoidable and il
would be folly at this time to discuss
the rights and the wrongs of it. Thil
is emphatieally q case in which the
passed dead should be permitted tC
bury their dead. 1t must already be
manifest that the welfare of this state
demands a reunion of Republican
forces, and it is gratifying to note
on all hands disposition to effect a
complete reconciliation.
In the heat of the campaign it be
came the habit Of one faction of the
RepublieOn party to consider and de-
nounce the other faction as gold bugs.
Any attempt on the part of those who
had remained loyal to the national
party TO explain their position or deny
the charge was hooted down and the
only alternative was to retaliate by de-
scribing those who refused to remain
with the national orgaization as boilers,
Populists, Democrats, Duboisites, or
any old thing which might serve to cast
degree Of compensatory odlum upon
them. The ardor OF the fight has now
sufficiently cooled to enable men once
more TO reason together. In some To-
calitles there Is yet q little soreness
over the defeat Of Senator Dubois, but
even by his most disconcolate mourn.
eFs II must DO seen that il they have
been wounded their former Republican
associates have not by any means es.
capped unscarTed. Neither faction has
anything TO glory over, but they have
common woe to deplore. They have
both been licked to a finish, as sportiye
gentlemen would express 1t.
The financial question is all that now
stands inthe way of a speedy and com.
plete reunion Of the Republican party
In Idaho. And, after all, that does not
present any insuperable obstacle to
harmony. A basis Of agreement may
Do found and acted upon which re,
quiTes no violation Of principle or
humiliatihg concession on either side.
The first step towards reconciliation is
D frank acknowledgment that all the
Of this state are devoted to
The principle of bimetalism; that they
favor protective tariff; that they will
unite in common effort to defend and
advance those principles, and will not
unite nationally or locally, with any |
political organization which is not |
pledged to exert its utmost power TO-
wards the establishment of bimetalism
md protection as principles of nation
u pOlity. Virtually this win place the
of Idaho in this position:
e the Republican party secure an
agreement within the
text two or four years, then the Re.
'ublicans of Idaho will naturally be in
inc with the national organization,
{ the Republican party fail to secure
by international agreement
II otherwise, then the Republicans of
IDAHO will sever themselves from the
atiOnal organization and be in a posi-.
lon either to act Independently or
nth such national party as may hold
ut the best hope. II may be said that
his simply fastens the Republicans of
daho to their old moorings. This is
OF true as will appear on reflection.
he Republican party In its last nation.
convention declared for bimetalism
7 international agreement and sub
.antially declared against It without
International agreement, therefore It
lust do one Of three things:-Secure !
International agreement, 60 back on its {
latform declarations and institute BIZ
ietaliSm without international agree.
ent or abandon bimetaliSm altogether, s
be fair superstition, based on the Ian T
lage Of the platform, Is that the Re- q
lbllean party will succeed in estab- I
ihlng bimetalism by international
'Feement or utterly abandon it and
me out straight for gold. If the Re. q
lbllcan party, under the Mckinley u
ADMINISTRATION. fail to establish bimet- 1
ism, II win be driven squarely into D
onometalism and the next national Il
will be sure to emphatic. a
y repudlate bimetalism as hopeless. a
lrealizable dream. That will present "
3 issue In very different shape from Ia
appearance last fall. To state the c.
Int cleaFlS; The issue last fan was d
. Of method, not one Of fact. The
said, we are for bimetal.