The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-05
Tho First Requisite OF u Party.

|
An important newspaper OF Memphis, in
Tennessee, the Commercial Appeal, sur
prises us by quibbling over the gold stand
ard as political issue, for 1t is in many re-
spects an unusually intelligent reasonable.
and fair-minded journal. Beginning by
| saying that THE Sun declares that the
| gold Democrats are miserable towards be-
cause they are not shouting on the street
corners for gold" it proceeds to assert that
| MCKINLEY has never committed himself
| to the single gold standard" and challenges
| us to inform 1t what MCKINLEY is"
In the first place, as to the gold Demo-
| Gratis Our critical friend, OF course,
| speaks OF them as such on the theory that
| they are, in conviction, for the gold stand
ard. Why, then, do not their exponents
| demand that the Democratic party shall
| declare for gold? SO far as we have
observed neither this Memphis paper nor
any other paper assuming to represent
| them has made or is now making any such
| demand 1t has been made in no Demo-
cratic platform in any State since 1896,
| though since then House of Representa-
tivcs has been elected. 1t has not been
made publicly, though, doubtless, many
| thousands of old Democrats are making
it privately and their return to the Demo-
cratic party or continued rejection of it
will depend on IA fiat Reputation Of silver
or as fiat an advocacy of gold in its next
| platform. Even this gold Democratic
| paper of Memphis has not the slightest
| expectation Of a declaration for the gold
standard in the national Democratic plat
form in 1900 or in any State platform OF
the party in that election.
1t is not because the gold Democrats +"
ARE not shouting on the street corners
| for gold that We have accused them OF
cowardice but because they are not mott
| flying the Democratic party that to Sc
! cure their votes in 1900 1t must turn about
and favor gold positively Meantime the
Chicago platform OF 800, or silver, has
been shouted on every street corner, and it
has been repudlated ON none.
Is not that a very remarkable situation
with reference to a question 80 vital in its
importance to the business and credit OF
the nation? The subject is in all mems
minds, and the two parties have made posi-
| tive declarations upon it, the one for gold
and the other for silver, and neither has
moved hair from its position. yet large
body of the advocates OF the gold stand
ard as essential to the national honor
and prosperity, who are otherwise afIli-
atcd with the Democracy, are refrainng
from making any demand on that party
to express their convictions, and they
have had no spokesman in any Democratic
| Convention. II is a situation in politics
more extraordinary than any we can re.
member in the past. The silver men are
outspoken and aggressive these "gold
Democrats" are silent and timid. How
can they expect ever to succeed in obtain
ing control Of the Democratic party by tn,
Use of such cvasve tactics? That Is not
the way to succeed in politics.
Now, as to Mr.. MCKINLEY and the Re
publican party. The Republican platform
OF 1896 made at a time when the silver
sentiment in many Of the most important
States represented in it was overwhelming
according to Democratic iudgment-con
tanned this positive declaration
The Republican party is unreservcdly for sounc
moncv. 1t caused the enactment Of the law proyid
ing for the resumption of specie payments in 1879
since then every dollar has been good as gold.
1--WE are unalterably opposed TO every measure cal
Cnlated 10 debase our currency or impair the cred
of our country. We therefore opposed to thu
free coinage OF silver 1cept by international agree
mcnt with tho leading commercial nations of tn,
world, which pie lge ourselves to promote an,
unii Stch agreement be obtained I've rrs'in1 go
standard must b, pr,srrrrd All our silver aud pape
currency must be maintained at parity with gold
and We favor all measures TO maintain inviolabl,
the obligations Of. the United States and all ou
money, whether coin or paper. at their presen
standard. the standard of the most enllghtene,
nations Of the earth"
That IL where Mr. MCKINLEY and Tn,
Republican party stood, and they could no
have occupied more unmistakable posi-
ton. The Democratic party at Chicago
declared fatty for the free coinage of silvel
at the ratio of rs to 1, without waiting
for the aid or counsel of any other nation.
The Republican party at st. Louis declare,
not less fatty that 1.-The existing golC
standard must be preserved until the fire,
coinage of silver Is provided for "by inter
national agreement with the leading com
mcrcial nations OF the world" squareI
issue between the two parties could no
have been made. and that issue remain,
! now, having been changed by neither part,
and by no State Convention since 1896
No international agreement for the IRE,
, coinage Of silver has been made, and Their,
Is no prospect OF any. though if it wa
possible it would he settlement OF tn,
question in which we should be compellct
: 10 join. Saying that the gold standarc
= must he maintained until II is set aside b,
, such international agreement is sayin.
4 practically that it must be preserved in
| definitely.
Actually as our Memphis friend vel
= knows, there was no doubt Of the preserva
+ tion Of the gold standard by the Republi
( can party in 1923, and there is none nov
5 in any mind. 1t has been preserved sine
: the election OF MT. MCKINLEY. and it vii