The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-28
Is IT GOOD SWAP?

Is IT \ GOOD SWAP?
The Rome GA Tribune says that 1t
would have Tom Watson in the Demo-
critic party. even If It should be neces-
sarv TO put number Of Democrats OUT
n make room for him. 'ln fact II
saws rather than have Tom out we
would he willing to bounce a few Demo-
Gratis. We know a score or two that we
would willingly swap in lump for him.
There IS q world of meaning in what
this Georgia free silver paper says. Ihose
Democrats whom Il would exchange ior
Tom watson are Of course those who do
not believe in free coinage, but for regu-
larity's sake have gone along with the
marty. and in expressing itself thus free
w the Tribune represents the sentiments
NJ the free silver Democrats generally
y ,s little more candid than others
Tho, e ALL The extreme men in the
marty do not want any who do not BE-
leo heart and soul in the doctrines Oh
the Chicago platform. while on the
other hand they will welcome into the
fold any who believe IN free silver re-
gardless Of their past party Animation
and regardless Of their views on other
political questions.
The Times mas insisted and we would
impress the fact that the trend oil 8ry-
anism Is towards Populism, and that
tbero can be no middle ground between
the extreme views represented Dy Tom
Watson and the Old tine Democratic
principles as formulated in all rational
platforms up to the platform Of 1896
Those Democrats who were opposed ana
who are opposed TO free silver but nave
kept themselves in line have all the
while had hopes that the party would
eventually return to its first principles
Rut II the men who are now in control
shall have their way depend upon !. there
will be no step backward but the march
will be continued until the forces rave
landed bag and baggage into Populism.
This statement finds an apt Illustration
in the recent coup d'etat o. Chairman
ZONES In bringing about an amaigamatioh
az free silver Republicans, free silver
democrats
Harvey as General Manager, by Which
that absurd person becomes the heau
and front Of the great Democratic parry
This has opened the eyes Of the cohser-
,.ative Democrats throughout the land'
and we are not surprised that such lree
silver newspapers as the Memp'As CoIn-
mercial-Appeal and the Nashville Amer
lean should lift their voices in solemn pro-
test against the outrage. How can the
marty hone TO succeed with such a man
as Coin" Harvey at its head? How can
it hope to gain the confidence and support
OF the intelligent, thinking men OF TINS
country under the leadership Of tins poll
t,cal adven turer? How can they hope
nat the profound students of American
politics viii be willing to learn states
manship in "Coin's financial schooiY
When this Bryan movement was start
cd IT was with the IDEA that the South
and the West would unite in solid pha-
lanx against the forces of the North and
the East But while the South, which is
always solid for Democracy, stood by the
ticket. the great States Of the West re-
fused TO commit themselves 10 free Sill
ver,sm. and when the fight was over the
South found that its fortunes we're united
with a handful of silver-producing States
IN the West. while New York, New Jer-
sew. Delaware. Connecticut, Maryland ana
west Virginia had fallen out OF ihe
/ Democratic column. But in 1877 the New
Yory city Democracy cut loose from free
SILVER and carried the city with a whooD
| In 1898 the New York state Democracy
abandoned free silver. and there is now
| every reason TO believe THAI the TICKET
which It nominated will be elected
The united Democracy Of this country
* invincible and If in 1900 all the Demo
cratic forces shall be brought together
under the old time standard OF Demo
cracy in an enthusiastic support Of tie
preat principles Of the party Republican
ism can and will be overthrow. But II
the Observation-Disclosures
policy is 10 prevail, II the party is willing
TO swap Sound Money Democrats foi
pooulists. in short If the programme OF
1885 is repeated in 1900. the Democratic
marty will be torn asunder and Republi-
canism will triumph again. Genera
Manager Harvey says that the delegates
from New York, New Jersey, Connect
cut Delaware and Maryland will not o'
recognized by the convention Of 1870
But how can the Democracy hope TO vii
without these States?