The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-11-29
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER %, 1888
TWELVE PAGES.
Closing the Breach.

rTHE news from New York to the
effect that Croker and Hill are
for Bryan. is suggestive of the
wonderful progress that has been made
toward closing the breach in the demo-
cratic ranks that followed the adoption
of the Chicago platform.
This means that the democratic party
in New York will be thoroughly united,
and with the defections in the repub-
lican ranks caused by the imperialistic
tendencies Of Mckinley republicanism,
it will give the democracy at least an
even fighting chance in the Empire
state. But it means even more than
this. The moral effect of their action
will be wide spread and extend all over
the land. 1t is we'll known that the
head and front of democratic oppos-
ton to the Chicago platform was right
In the city of New York. If the oppo-
sition weakens there is will weaken
everywhere, with the probable result
that every close state will swing back
into line.
1t is not pretended that Croker and
F1lll nave Dttn converted TO Tree Sill
ver,' but they believe that Bryan and
free coinage are in every way prefer
able to Mckinley and imperialism. The
same is true of Carl Schurz. and many
dyed in the wool republicans, This is
a most encouraging sign of the times
1t indicates that the bimetallic cause is
rapidly gaining in strength, not so
much affirmatvely, perhaps, as through
the relaxing force of the opposition.
In 1886 the people We're literally
frightened out of their seven senses by
the awful pictures presented of the ruin
that was to follow in the wake of free
silver and where they could not be
frightened in that way direct, they were
threatened with loss of employment in
the factories, and the stoppage of credit
at the banks. With the leading demo-
Gratis of New York back in line the
campaign methods of 1896 can scarcely
be repeated with success in 1900
All of this is unwelcome news to those
so-called silver men who are now re-
tracing their steps into the republican
camp and casting about them for every
fiimsy excuse to justify them in doing
so. They conceal their disappointment
and chagrin by attacking Cookers dec
laration that trusts and imperial ism
will be the issues and declare that this
means the abandonment of silver as the
paramount issue"
1t is not a question of what Mr.
Croker thinks will be the tissues" but
what the democratic party declares in
its platform, and who the candidate is.
If it be Bryan we know that he has
never wavered upon the silver ques-
tion-not even respecting the ratio
But neither Bryan nor any other man
can help us any upon that issue unless
he can be elected and no man can be
elected without the necessary votes.
Every one who knows Bryan knows
that if elected he would not only sign
q free coinage bill, but use his influence
to aid in the passage Of such a meas
ure, even if Croker and Hill and men of
that ilk should support him.
The trouble with silver men of the
class referred to is that having deter
mined to slide back into the repub-
lican party, they don't want to get
there just in time to share in it's de-
feat, as they certainly will if the demo
cratic party is thoroughly united
Hence their distress of mind at the
thought of gold democrats renewing
their allegiance.
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