The Washington weekly post., 1899-05-30
Asubstitute for or a Reinforcement off

Both wings Of the Democratic Party,
the major and the minor, the regulars
and the boilers, show a common purpose
to push the trust issue for all there is in
it. How much that may be will depend
largely on events of the next twelve
months Inasmuch as the party in power
is always held responsible for nearly all
the ills that happen during its control of
national affairs, regardless of its connec-
tion Herewith, it may be that the Repub-
lican vote in 1900 will be materially and
adversely effected by this issue. Men
who have lost their positions through in
dustriaI combinations-and, in the aggre-
gate, there are many of them-are likely
10 show their resentment at election
time, provided that the opposition plat
form does not repel them with any propo-
sition that more than ceunterbalances
their anger toward their own party. Re-
publican villages and towns that have
witnessed the abandonment of their
manufacturing plants, with all the in.
jury that such a misfortune implies,
might give Democratic majorities. if by
so doing they could be sure that they
would not invoke for the country great
er evil than trusts and combines. Realizing
the possibilities that reside in this issue,
the Democrats. of all descriptions, exhibit
political sagacity in trying TO make the
most of it.
But unity In purpose does not always
imply identity OF motive, and this agree
ment OF Democrats Of all sorts and con-
ditions to push the trust issue IS one of
the many exceptions to the rule. There
are Democrats who hope to make the
trust question a substitute for 16 to l.
All the boilers OF 1896 and a large minor
ity of those who proved their loyalty 10
party in that campaign by sacrifice of
convictions are hoping for the ahan-
donment of the silver question through
the substitution Of an issue on which all
| can agree, and in which they believe
there is sufficient inspiration for a cam
paign that will not. from the outset, be
/ foreordained to defeat. And there is an
| other contingent of the party that shares
| this hope. 1t is composed of men who
/ in 1895 honestly believed IN Ie to ! and
/ supported IL in all sincerity as a patriotic
duty, but who have been convinced by
tho logic OF events that they were wrong.
| Add TO these all Democrats who. while
/ still believing in 10 to !, and hoping for
/ its ultimate triumph, are in favor OF
| dropping it out OF sight until change
OF conditions gives It new vitality, and
you have a large minority-possibly a
majority-of all who call themselves
Democrats.
1t Is not as substitute for. however
but as a reinforcement of the currency
Issue that Mr.. Bryan ana the most ar.
IDENTIFY devoted OF his followers are push.
Ing the trust issue. \ Democratic organ
which bears the autograph Endorsement
ot Mr., Bryan, an oTgen whose orthodoxy
he commends in an especial manner. de-
cl2res that while the party must hgh
the trusts in 1890. ii must do so by point
ing cut spacihc remedy" II declare.
that a national platform that would max,
a general charge against the trusts an,
not effer such remedy would be :
dreadful fraud against the people" An,
this organ adds these edifying sentences
fThe Democratic National Conventio,
Of NSJ Will conmit no such blundrr. 1
VIII point out the SPECIFIC remedy 70
: trusts. viz.
'R!metsllism az the ratio as II existe,
prior 10 1893
Tine abolition OF national banks OF Is
I sue.
A modification OF the tariff so as Z,
totally eliminate special privileges.
This Is the platform OF lcs6 over again
I There VIII Be 10 meaningless campaigl
I against trusts"
The 81. Louis Republic, the leadlnl
Democratic paper in Missouri, has bee
for a long time extremely shy OF Is 10
but has not recanted that faith. The Re
public il an enthusiastic supporter of-o
leader in-tho antitrust crusade. IL saws
THE campaign aghirst the trusts. head
Ell by the full strength OF the natioua
Democratic organization. VIII cease onl
when the trust evil has been adequatel
checked and the safety OF the peopl
I guaranteed. This Is the meaning OF IA
! magnificent gathering seen in The Coll
scum last night. meaning fully impress
ed upon the mind of the country at larg
through The addresses delivered by III
leaders Of the Democratic Party. Tn