The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-01-28
COMING IDENTIFICATION.
The Democracy IL showing signs
of Rapidly Going to
Pieces.


Not since the years that followed
close upon the civil war has the demo-
cratic party been in such a critical con-
dition as il is to-day. The conference
of national committeeman which was
held here in Chicago was an exhibition
of irreconcilable differences which were
emphasized by the arbitrary demands
OF certain extremists. Apparently it Is
! the purpose Of these men to rule at all
hazards. and an examination OF their
programme demonstrates conclusively
that their rule means ruin.
Their test of fidelity is acquiescenco
in the old dogma of sixteen to one and
in the new dogma OF anti-expansion-
The two are to be inextricably united,
and so n situation that was discourage
ing enough before Is rendered more
than ever intolerable. Senator Teller,
who is everywhere acknowledged to be
,he nblest Of the silverites, will resign
from the national ways and means COM
mittee because he believes that it is i'm
polite to oppose expansion. This de-
lection is of the utmost Importance.
The senator is republican still, in spite
of his affiliations with democrats, and
his influence upon the silver wing of his
party is greater than that of any other
man in or out OF its ranks. Naturally
his followers will be Disconnected by his
action, and many Of them will be in
clned to desert their allies. AS a result
the latter will be deprived OF support
which they themselves have considered
Indispensable.
But this is not the full extent Of the
revolt. EX-Gov. Stone, of Missouri, sup
plemcnts the republican with n demo-
cratic secession. The ex-governor is a
pronounced eXpansionist and has been
almost from the first. He is probably
too much OF party man to bolt con-
vcntion, but he is ready to lead fac
tional fight which will scatter the seeds
of dissension and weaken the forces,
1t is to be noticed also that while
these silver leaders have been Offended
and repealed the silver utterances of
the controlling faction have undergone
no notifications. Mr.. Bryan and Sena-
tor Jones both declare that sixteen to
one will be insisted upon as strongly as
ever. Ard cx Congressman Towne, a
republican who unites with them in
radical denunciation of imperialism"
says:
Il believe the convention of 1900 will re-
iteratc the Chicago platform of 1886 on tho
money question. 1t will do 1t, l believe. for
the reason that public sentiment Will de-
mand II and for the additional reason that
the machinery of the party Is In the hands
OF the friends of silver and will continue
So
Here we have an uncompromising
notification to the gold democrats that
they are ostracised and that no help is
expected or desired from them. The
old wounds are kept fresh while new
ones are being inflicted.
At the same time signs are multiply
ing all over the country which go to
show that the silver cause is steadily
losing ground on its own dement's.
Taken by itself it holds out no promise
Of success. With anti-eXpansion added
it is doomed to one Of the greatest fail
ures that have ever been recorded in the
annals of Americn politics. The ma
chincry of which Mr.. Towne boasts is
leading the democratic party to de-
struction.
Though it is true, as its friends as
sert, that this great historic organiza-
ton has survived many terrific shocks
and trials, there was never time when
it contained so many essentially disin-
tegrating factors as IL does at present
Even the south is turning from it, while
there is no basis for n reunion such as
was found in national politics after the
war.-Chicago Times-IIerald.