New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-21
PROSPERITY OR PANIC.

The mon in charge of the Democratic party IN
this State. as in others, are the same men VINO
wore fighting for free silver and boasungiy pre-
dieting the election of Bryan two years ago
The Democrats Of character and conviction VINO
fboo refused TO join the incendiary ana deS'ruc-
tive course Of he party are thrust 10 the reai
and have no more 10 do with the bemocrauc
canvass than If they had never been DcLiocra'S'
Among the silen' are the men whom the party
once trusted in the highest places ana VINO
led il 10 repeated victories in this state. In
command in posts Of activity. AT the lroht
everywhere are the men who went down WIN
BRYAN. free silver and free riots. The meaning
Of these things is perfectly understood IN o'iie'
States. where everybody knows that whllc New
York Democrats hope to steal some votes d! 81
lcncc on National questions they mean "Nac'F
what they meant two years ago. ana their sue
cess would give tremendous impulse 10 that
cause.
\ Chicago newspaper reviewing state ana
Corrrcs4 conventions of the Democratic party
this wear. shows that they indicate more than
t,yo-;hirdS majority in the next Democratic Ma
1,onal Convention for the ideas which Bryan
preached. If the party could succeed IN that
attitud. This year there could be no question as
10 the control of the next National Convention
nv The men whose mere declarations In 1876
brought proStration of business and OF indus
tries ms great as was seen IN 1893 Elections
next month indi -ating that the party In that atl-
tudc Is likely 20 succeed would beyond question
alaIln business men Of all sorts. check activity,
prevent new enterprises and lessen the employ
ulpnt Of labor 10 an extent which cannot now
be foresccn That general results OF that nat
urc would follow reason teaches as clearly as IT
-,
can teach anything though past experience
does rot guide to a conclusion how far those re-
suits would extend Even in the darkest hours
in 1896 men knew that Organism had TO over
come apparently almost impregnable Republi-
can maiorities at previous elections.
IL is therefore strictly within the truth to say
that a Democratic vote next month in this State
is q vote for panic. But II the vote should be
overwhelmingly against the Democratic party,
e. II not clear that opposite results might with
sound reason be expected? Crushed under ii
Great defeat in It's present attitude, the party in
New-York would turn with haste 10 the counsel
of the men who have labored to prevent the
nomination Of free-silver candidate on silent
platform There would surely come profound
reaction against Organism, even in the nina OF
Mr. Croker himself. who does not make politics
his business for the fun Of being whipped, and
whose convictions are dependent upon his pros
meets So the warning given by Ncw-iorli
would have powerful influence In other States
strengthening all who contend for honest money
and free courts and party Of beliefs rather
than hatreds.
II Is no; possible TO doubt that such verdict
would give new confidence to business. The ap-
prehcnsion which has been visible in so many
quarters Of late and has done so much TO check
activity and 10 depress prices would give place
TO certainty that for two years 10 come threats
of National dishonor and bankruptcy could not