The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-08-20
SATURDAY. AUGUST 20, 1888.
SILVER IN COMING POLITICS.

Where IS Tree SILVER 10 Stdlu ii ''N
new makeup Of states and platforms OF
the Democratic party? Richard Croker
who IS well known to De an intelligent
and a thoroughly devoted single standard
gold man. IS quoted az saying few days
back 20 a visiting delegate at Saratoga;
THE state convention cannot afford to
nominate any one who did not support
Tho candidates nominated in its national
convention in 1s96" Here is one of tho
most surprising utterances that has been
heard in many days Croker gave but
half-hearted support to Bryan when he
was the nominee OF theI party, and
everything ne has said and done since
the presidential election has suggested
that nc would never consent TO free sil-
yer being again plank in the Demo-
cratic party's platforms. Yet here ne
comes out with statement that the
Democratic convention OF New York can
not nominate for Governor or any other
Office in New York any man who did not
support the Chicago platform. Does this
mean that Croker. after watching events
for nearly two years, has deliberately COM
cludcd that free silver is again TO be the
Democratic partys platform in 1900? We
.have watched events in their bearing
upon this question with great interest
and great attention, aud We frankly adj
nit that we see nothing 20 indicate that
there will be any change in the Demo-
cratic partys position upon this matter
in 1900 with but few exceptions all of
the state and district Democratic con-
Ventions that have been held have re-
affirmed their devotion to the whole Chi
cago platform. and especially 20 the
plank concerning silver. In conversation
with citizens we rarely meet Democrat
who was an advocate of free coinage two
years ago who IS not now an advocate Of
st. Tho quarrel and war with Spain
have absorbed the entire attention OF the
people for fhe past foux or five months,
so that all discussion OF free silver has
been suspended in that time, but the
sentiment for Il has in no wise been
affected by mere failure to bring il for
ward for discussion. We are very sorry
20 have 20 admit f., but we are com
PEELED by candor 20 say that at present
tho prospect is that the presidential cleo
ton of 1900 IS to be fought out upon the
same issues as were involved dn the cleo
ton Of 1896. The Democratic party will
1t seems. remain welded 10 the same
revolutionary ard destructive theories
which st put forward then. and We shall
have another campaign of virulence and
the worst feeling.
Does this mean that We think free sill
yer has grown in strength since 1896 and
that there is a probability that It win
carry the country I'm 1900? BY no means.
we think # has Just the same supporters
now that it had then. but We have no
doubt that almost all OF the young men
who have become voters since 1896 are
opposed 90 1t, and we have no doubt that
a great many OF those who supported II
I'm 1896 because IL was part Of the party 8
platform have since become convinced by
the successful working of the gold stan
dard that the single gold standard is
what the country needs. and that those
voters will refuse 10 vote for It again.
while we believe. therefore. that free
silver will be in the Democratic plat
form in 1890 we have no idea whatever
that 1t will have ghost OF chance
10 carry the country. Long before 1900
arrives the whole country viii have seen
the beneficial operation Of the sold stan
dard, and che Democratic attempt 10
overthrow It Will be as vain as any hu-
man opposition TO any other natural law.
II will give us trouble and perhaps do a
serious. though temporary. injury to the
business OF the country. But 1t will be
defeated by tho most signal overthrow
that any deluslon ever received.
Having quoted Croker. II gives us
pleasure 10 end this article by quoting
Governor Flower. another New Yorker.
and a deservedly distinguished one. Be-
ing asked his opinion. ne said "The
Democratic party Is not going to put a
free silver plank In its State platform.
1t cannot afford to endorse the action
taken Ct Chicago, II II does It will start