The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-15
1890 aud 1900.

The situation Of the Democratic party so
far as concerns the monetary standard. is
now very much tho same rs 1t was at the
beginning Of 1896. Then, as now, email
minority, as tho subsequent convention Mt
Chicago proved IL to be, were resisting tho
onset OF the movement for the free coin
age OF silver, and IL had the advantage. or
the disadvantage, Of the leadership OF Presi-
dent CLEVELAND.
At the extra session OF Congress in 1909
tho vast majority OF the Presidents party
was against him on tho repeal of the Shor-
man bill. In his Message to the Fifty-fourth
Congress, sent on Dec Q. 1895, no argued
laborlously against the 10 to theory as be-
ing opposed to "the teachings OF the wisest
statesmen and economists OF the world
but his words were secuted by his party.
Powerless as Mr.. CLEVELAND had proved
himself TO be with the Democrats OF Con-
gress, no had hopes OF impressina his
opinions on the party rs whole, and he
cherished them up to the very day OF tho
meeting OF the Democratic National Con-
vention at Chicago, though tho elections
OF delegates had made " apparent to all
discriminating observers that no was de-
ludlng himself.
At the extra session OF 1898 and In the
Fifty Fourth Congress there was Demo-
cratic minority which supported the cur
rency views of Mr.. CLEVELAND, just as there
isnow in the Fifty-sixth Congress a Demo-
cratic minority which will support tho
Republican Currency bill, with its rocog-
milton OF gold as tho single monetary
standard, but IL was much greater than
h. nt h.1NT MN In
therefore, that now again tho delegates
elected to the Democratic National Con-
vention will follow the lead OF the party in
Congress, and. accordingly, be even more
opposed to gold. The delegation from tho
State OF New York, though 1t was for gold
In 1896. will unqucstionabiy be for silver
and the denomination OF Mr.. BRYAN, and
Massachusetts has already gone over to his
side plumply. 1t appears probable that all
the States which opposed him in 1890 will
be for him in 1900 and that the small
Democratic support of the Republican Cur
rency bill will have no representation in
the National Convention.
The assurance OF a silver policy in oppo-
siton to gold policy Which the course OF
the Democrats in the Flity-fourth Congress
indicated in 1890 is thus increased by the
attitude OF the vast ma ority of the party
in the present (Fifty-sixthl Congress and by
the now substantially unanimous support
OF the Chicago platform by the State Demo-
cratic organizations.
At the banquet OF tho Virginia delegation
in Congress given on Monday evening by
tho Democratic Association Of the District
OF Columbia, Mr. BRYAN was extolled by the
t1afr nd Inc, tn1l 10
leader in the campaign OF 1900, but Senator
DANIEL. while supporting the Chicago plat
form unreservedly as sound In principle,
in law, in logic and morals. like a ship,
ironcad," declared that no party was
ever able to lay down It's limo OF battle
before II was on the field land that no
political party in ono hundred years had
been able to make two campaigns on the
same principles for different problems
and problems in different phases" arose
meanwhile. When, however. party takes
definite position on great and COM
handing issue which continues unchanged
from one campaign to another, and II clings
to IL meanwhile with increasing tenacty
in Congress and throughout tho States, II
thus lays out it's line OF battle not less
unchangeably. Even II It introduces new
issues to meet different problems, 1t can,
not abandon the old when the old is nm
issue o! 50 supreme Importance to every
interest and in every mind as is the none
tary standard.
AS 1t was at the end OF 1885, SO 1t is al
tho end OF 1899: the Democratic party in
Congress is leading tho way irrevcrsibly
toward contest against tho single
gold standard, and that contest will
DO made all the more inevitable by the
debates and the votes which will express
the Democratic attitude toward the Repub
licau Currency bill.