The Portland daily press., 1898-10-31

Nation Should Present Onproken 'FRONT.'
Until Foreign Complications Are Set
tied.
Indianapolis, October 30.-Chairman
Hernley Of the Republican state commit
tee, recently invited ex-President Harri-
son to take part in the state campaign.
The ex-President has sent a letter, i'll
which, after saying that important legal
business will occupy his time for several
weeks, he discusses national questions as
follows:
SIN New York, where I was recently,
the Democratic party has pushed aside
the free silver question and is making
upon the theory that national
issues and especially the free silver ques-
ton are not involved.
''In Indiana. the case is quite different.
The Democratic party here has affirmed
with emphasis the Chicago platform of
1896, and in our own district I under
stand the Democratic candidate for Con-
gress Is strongly urging upon the people
the issue of free silver coinage at the
ratio of l6 to 1. Now, whatever may be
the case in New York. here Democratic
SUCCESS would distinctly set forward and
strengthen the propaganda for free silver
In New York many gold Demo-
Gratis who affiliated with the Republican
party in 1896, are saying that the silver
issue is not involved, but men of that
faith certainly cannot say SO in Indiana.
1t seems to me that it would be distinct
SET back for the cause of honest money
and distinct injury to the state OF
Indiana if in year SO prosperous as
this. majority of our people should
vote for the free coinage of silver. Honest
money Democrats who have hoped that
that issue might not meet them again in
q Democratic national convention. will
help to make its appearance there certain
if they aid in securing Democratic VIC
tory in Indiana this year. The apparent
settlement of that issue in 1896 contrib
uted immensely to bring the prosperity
which we now enjoy, to give conf 1dence
to capital and to secure work and wages
in good money to the working man.
These classes were awake then to the
vital Importance of this issue and re-
sponded with an ov erwhelming negative.
1t would be an unpleasant thing to
contemplate if, while in the enjoyment OF
the fruits of tina victory any of those
VINO supported the cause of sound money
in 1896 shou Id now, either from leJhargy
or pique or through the influence on
minor questions be led, either actively or
passiveIy to give their aid to the revival
of perpetuation of this disturbing lnflu-
ence.
ssI oanuot understand why any Repub-
lican in the state should withhold, either
his influence or his vote from the Repub'
lican ticket. Small differences as to the
detail of administration and smaller
differences growing out Of personal d1sap-
pointments. should be put utterly aside
"Another consideration, think, should
strongly influence the voters of the state.
The nation went into war with Spain.
supported by the moral sentiment of the
great majority of our people Of all parties.
1t was felt that as to Cuba there was
distinct call on the United States to in
terpose for the ending of Spanish cruelty
and misgovernment there The firing
lines have been withdrawn and our ships
are largely in our harbors, after achieve
ments on land and sea that have in
creased fame to American arms, but our
foreign reglations are still acute and un-
settled and the appeal to which the re-
sponse was so generous and non. bipartisan
at the beginning of the war. to stand by
our country and its executive and admin
istratiye officers, should still be felt and
responded to. Our election results should
not give, or even seem to give, encourage
ment to those who would find in our dis
cords and divided counsels their advant-
age. Our British cousins have the good
habit of standing by when their nation
is conducting delicate and irritating for.
eign questions.
.5,q. every truly yours,
s5.. .,ee Benjamin Harrison. "
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