The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-20
PEOPLE AND Politics.
BY AN OBSERVER.
(For The Times)

(For The Times)
1t is a very strange situation in Amer
ican politics. We are brought suddenly
face to face with the fact that everything
is upturned that clearly defined the posi-
ton OF political parties in the pas.
Dewey's guns at Manila came very near
~ destroying the protective tariff theory
when they destroyed the Spanish Meet.
The country is fairly tremulous with the
Idea OF reaching out for foreign trade
and. IN their rush 10 go abroad, VIII
break down all tariff barriers. Sectional
Ism is dead as a result of this war. The
man who publicly expresses hatred OF
North or OF South takes his political life
in his hand. Ii can never again be heard
on American platforms. Free silver is
cleaving wedge that has split the Demo
cratic party, and at present there IS NJ
tie prospect Of It reuniting. While in the
silver wing OF the party itself there IS an
element led on by Mr.. Bryan and Mr..
Bailey who declare against the acquisition
OF foreign territory, yet the mass or the
voters. and the majority OF the pohu-
clans OF that wing are enthusiastically
IN favor Of expansion. With protection
strangely brought to a sudden fan, with
sectionalism dead, the Republican party
is casting about for issues on which 20
build itself. With the money question
splitting IN twain the Democratic party
and one wing going of after expansion
and the other calling out to stay at home
we can sec in what confusion It's ranks
are over and above It all, clear and
compliment progressive and unshakanie
there are only two things that have sur
vived the upheavals OF the past SIX
months. These two things are freedom
OF trade and the single gold standard
And there never was a time when II be-
hooved al good citizens TO rally 10 these
two great principles the principles or
progress and Of the future civilization or
mankind. II was only a little vote that
was cast for these principles at the last
national election. and IL may be that UNI
der stress OF party organization, small
vote will be cast for them in the future
but discerning men can see that they Will
triumph IN the end.
There IS something that commands
ones respect IN the silver movement IN
this country. The men here in virginia
who favor the free coinage Of silver Tor
| the most part honestly believe in II, and
they are as true and hospitable and sem
| sible men as this fine Old State has ever
| reared. As has been said OF them. they
arc OF the same stuff that charged the
heights OF Gettysburg, therefore, they
cannot be browbeaten from their position.
| They believe in It as a good thing They
| ought all, at the same time, 10 exercise
| that generous disposition for which Viz
| ciniaus are famous and accord unto those
who believe I'm the gold standard similar
honesty OF purpose and patriotic impulse;
and that ~ getting 20 be more and more
| the case The intense bitterness of the
Bryan campaign is disappearing. In the
| discussion Of an economic question, We
sincerely trust IL may never return. Free
silver caught the people because they
were suffering from a lack OF banking IA
cilities and the pernicious chaos OF our
entire monetary system.
The Times has tried from time TO time
10 point out means whereby tho people
would get relief far IN excess of what free
silver would bring them, but, with strange
| faulty, people cling to this one idea, and,
| however much we hoped that the issue
would down and be dlssipated before 1900,
| II now seems that the fight Is 20 be made
| on the Chicago platform again, and free
| silver is 20 be the battle cry. And yet
most all the leaders OF that propaganda
( know that there IS an open chasm TO re-
| ceive them. With the Democratic party
! I'm possession of the great principles or
| the future-the extension Of our foreign
] trade. and tho maintenance OF the gold
| standard-it would possess the strong
holds and win all the political battles Tor
| .he next generation. But, following after
| this ore free silver idea, they will aban'
| don these impregnable positions ana the
| Republican party. stripped Of its section
| allsm and its protection. Will move in and
| occupy them. This being the case. VIII
/ not our free silver brethren at least ac-
cord unto the Indianapolis Democrats the
! privilege Of holding these strongholds un-
| m they are ready 70 return TO them
| Some few people should take care OF the
/ ark until the Philstines cease narrowing
| the land.