The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-14
The Obligation of the Gold Democrats

part Of the British army engaged
The Obligation of the Gold Democrats.
The nomination OF BRYAN next year by
the Democratic party on q reaffirmed Chi
cago platform being now foregone conclu-
sion In the minds OF all men of all parties
the question OF the present and future atti-
tude OF those Democrats who believe in the
necessity Of the single gold standard comes
up to them for Immediate decision. Obvi-
ously they cannot support the Democratic
party next year, nor can they support it at
the elections next month without assist
Ing in making more serious the menace it
offers to national security and prosperity.
The state elections are now only about
three weeks off, and their early approach is
brought forcibly TO the consciousness OF
every citizen Of New York by the circum-
stance that yesterday was the first day OF
registration for voting and that to-day is
the second. The lines Of battle are formed,
tho general engagement Is near at hand,
and it behooves every elector TO determine
at once the side to which he is to give the
strength of his vote.
The relative positions Of both the Repub-
lican and Democratic parties are defined,
so that there can be no confusion Of duty
in any mind. The Republicans everywhere,
through the formal declarations Of their
conventions, are on the side Of the single
gold standard. The like Democratic decla-
rauons are all for the free coinage OF silver
at 10 to /. None is for gold. The issue,
therefore, is made now rs squarely as It
WAS made in 1896, with the further advan-
tage to the silver side that all the regular
Democratic opposition to BRYAN has prac-
ticaly disappeared. 1t seems to be settled
that he will be nominated by reclamation,
the States that were stoutest in resistance
to him at Chicago in 1896 being now not
less steadfast in his support. The Demo-
cratic State Committee of New York has
put the party absolutely in his favor by
coming out positively and warmly for him
by an overwhelming majority.
What, then, is to be the position Of con-
scientious and intelligent citizens who were
Democrats under their old party standards,
but who now recognize that the triumph Of
BRYAN would bring disaster to business
and forfeiture OF the national honor and
nance TO the Democratic party next month
without helping to invite that calamity, and
now strike blow Of Immediately depress-
ing effect at the prevailing confidence.
In Maryland, as We learn from Baltimore,
prominent representatives of these gold
standard Democrats announce that they
have made up their minds unchangeably AS
to the position they will take at the coming
election; and, in Ohio, the Chairman of the
Sound Money Democrats of 1895 is not
less outspoken in announcing that they
have come to like decision in that State.
In both States the great mass Of them will
vote for the Republican candidates for
Governor OF course as reasonable men,
they cannot do otherwise. They cannot
vote for the Democratic candidates without
sacrificing their principles and helping to
assist in the destruction OF the single gold
standard, and thus lending their strength
to strike at the prosperity Of their country
and their own prosperity.
Here in New York there is no less reason
for the consolidation OF the whole strength
OF the gold Democrats against the Demo-
cratic party. 1t is truc that there is no
State election, except for legislative offices:
but whatever in any way conduces to the
benefit OF the Democratic party in New
York nures to the advantage OF BRYAN
and 10 to /. In no State is that purity
more fully committed to him than it is
now in New York. 1t is fatty for
BRYAN and all his nomination would
imply by formal and official declaration.
The Democratic party in New York, con-
sequently, will send to its National Con-
vention next year solid BRYAN delegation
Accordingly, whoever contributes by his
vote to increase its consequence in this
State will assist, so far, in the assault on the
single gold standard.
These are simple facts known to all intel
ligent men, and the mere statement of them
carries with it the logical conclusion that of
necessity every Democrat here and every
where else in tho Union, who appreciates
duly the calamity Of the overthrow Of the
existing gold standard and would avert it,
will be compelled to vote against the
Democratic party at every election until
it formally and positively repudates the
Chicago platform and the candidate nomi-
mated on it.