The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-13

The Democratic Party i'm 1900.
The events Of the past year, changing
the current of American history, have
| shifted political issues with marvellous
rapidly When the sun set upon the
memorable election day OF 1896 the de-
ieated advocates of the free coinage Of
] silver mOurned not in sackcl3th and
ashes, bat looked forward with uudimil4
ishcd hope and ardor 60 renewal of the
struggle il 1900. Their anticipations
were natural The student of history re-
called the many defeats and discourage
mcnts which the abolitionisls experienced
before the overthrow of slavery was hu-
ally accomplished and the struggles of
that devoted band We're ikened with
some degree OF reason. 90 the efforts of
the silver men to dethrone the gold stand
ard There was feeling in every mind
that the final word had not been spoken,
that the supreme verdict was yet 20 De
rendered. And with this belief generally
prevalent, both political parties awaited
the coming of the next Presidential cam
paign.
such We're the conditions IN November.
1895; but very different are the cOndi-
tons now. NO longer Is the free coin-
age of silver a dominant. aN-pcryading
issue m The United States Born OF dis
times, II has been thrust out by the add
vent of prosperity II was, at best. but
a straw of hope at which tho starving
mechanic and embarrassed farmer
caught In desperation. To the lab0rer
and the agriculturisI hope has come
without free coinage. aud the theorist
has seen better prices restored without
single change in the financial system
which he condemned. The great mass of
voters, especially in the west where the
doctrines Of silver had freest course. have
come 90 realize that the conditions wrich
they suffered were due 10 other causes
than those which the gifted Mr. Bryan
assigned The recent Congressional cleo
ton emphasized their position. Wherever
fight was made squarely upon the sill
yer ISSUE the candidate IN opposition. ex-
cept in Colorado and a few isolated To-
calities, was elected In the East.
wherever Democrats were sucCessful
they won by Ignoring the declarations
of the Democratic platform. The United
states Senate, which for many years has
contained large majority in favor of
the free coinage OF silver, will. at the be-
ginning OF the Fifty-sixth Congress. re-
verse It's position. The silver men win b.
In a minority in that body. not only in
the next Congress, but Cor several years
To come.
This being the case, It Is very evident
tha- the tide in favor of free cOlnaee
reached It's Hood in 1896. II has been
steadily receding ever since Not sine
sic substantial gain has come with the
passing months and year. and the future
nolds no ray Of promise II the Demo-
Gratis attempt I'm 1900 10 revive the issue
they vii! go down to defeat more en-
phauc aud overwhelming than visited
them two years ago. The influences
which 0rcrcame them NJ that time WtH
still be present, but. most important of
all. the clouds Of depression will have
passed away. tho Widespread discomfort
will have been succeeded in very general
satisfaction. The healthy man is pro-
verbally Indifferent to the nostrum ana
the specific and SO the Democratic ora
tors, crying aloud their panacea. will ind
the people callous to the advantages of ID
remedy when the affliction for which il
was designed has disappeared
The silver question being thus prac-
tically discarded, If not entirely dead. it
IS quite evident that the Democratic
party must took elsewhere for its issue
in 1900. 1t is not difficult TO discover the
direction In which the party is even now
turning. 10 will be arrayed against the
policy of colonial expansion and conse-
quent imperialism which has been forced
upon the country by the unavoidable
destinies Of war and. in some degree. by
the guidance Of a Republican President
IL will find In the discussion of this Ques-
ton a subject worthy Of its greatest
leaders.
Tho Democratic party, if present indi-
cations do not prove misleading will
be- aligned In opposition to the contem-
plated departure. It will have upon its
side serious and weighty arguments. adj
vanced by thoughtful men whose patriot
ism no one can impugn. II the enthusi-
asm coincident with the war shall pass
away, as &c may do. and be succeeded !
by a spirit OF conservatism this spirit
will be found 20 be supporting the Demo
Gratis. 1t must be remembered that 81 |
was a hesitation 10 tread uncertain /
ground which largely contributed 20 the |
victory OF Mr.. Mckinley In 1896. Already /
the opposition to the acquisition of The I
Philippines is growing and there is
possibility that by 1870 IL will assume ]
large proportions. Il Is not beyond rea- (
son to believe. at least. that many Repub- |
leans would join the Democratic ranks /
on such an issue If the step did not in. /
vOlve the endorsement Of free silver COIN |
age at sixteen 70 one.
II Is not without significance that the 4
factions in the Democratic party are for (
getting their former party differences /
while assembling upon the common plane
of imposition TO colonial expansion. II /
may be possible that the Democrats have
al hand an unexpected opportunity 20
party reunion I'm which case
no one can tell what verdict may be rem
iered at the next general election. 1t Is
certain that the Democratic party cannot
elect a Presidnt I'm 1900 by reviving the
silver issue. and II Is doubtless the redll-
cation Of this fact which IS forcing is
opposition to colonial REPRESENTATIVES
ngton Post.