Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-07

Richard C'roker's proclamation to his fol-
lowers in his wing of the democratic party
declaring for expansion and against Tree
silver comes as a stunning blow to the
democratic opposition To the present pol
;cies of the administration. With Mr..
BRYAN in the west denouncing expansion
and booming silver and Mr.. Croker in New
York cutting out an entirely divergent
course for himself and his faction 1t is clear
that the opposition is hopelessly divided
and that it can not expect to reunite at
least on this side of the next democratic
presidential convention, and probably not
then.
Ii is difficult as a matter of fact to con-
ceive where this split leaves the democracy
in the matter of a national issue Mr..
Croker has thrown the Chicago piatfrom
overheard bodily. He has taken up with
the new CRY OF expansion. Does he, in the
last analysis, therefore cease to be demo-
crat? No one would for a moment consider
Mr. Croker as a republican. Nor would any
one consider Mr.. Croker as fool. What
ever may be thought of his own line of
political conduct or his view of public mo-
rality. Mr.. Croker is known as man of
large astuteness. with a shrewd capacity
for understanding the drift of public senti-
ment. He is, in short, a masterful poiiti-
clan.
Mr.. Croker has very good reason for
throwing over the free silver dogma. As he
says in his statement. the New York demo-
Gratis abandoned that doctrine during their
last campaign and their congressional can
didates were all elected. Mr.. Croker knows
that free silver is not a winning ranying
cry. He may not have any other to substi-
tute for it which will cut athwaTt the
publican policies, but he is shrewd enough
not to tie TO a dead issue.
The immediate effects of this statement
are of large Importance. With the democ-
racy thus split in twain on expansion there
can be no successful opposition to the ad-
ministration in Congress. The ratification
of the treaty, already accepted as probable
is now to be considered as among the Ger
tainties. The nation may not ultimately be
led into the broadcast fields of expansion,
but there is no reason to look for a success
full fight against the wise and conservative
pans Of the President and his advisers in
the acceptance of tHe fruits and response
bilities of the war with Spain.
1t is clear that the first session of the
56th Congress will witness fierce battle
for supremacy between the representatives
OF these two leaders of democratic thought
Mr. Bryan clinging to the Chicago PLATFORM
and anti-imperiaIism like a man overheard
clutching a Hfe-preserver, MI Croker bold
y waving the flag of expansion and sound
money. The fight will concentrate, doubt
less. at first upon the selection of a demo-
cratic House leader. There is already a
dispute among the Bryanites as to this
matter MIR. Croker is said to have slated
Mr.. Sulzer for the place. And so the first
real skirmlsh of the presidential campaign
among the democrats will be fought over
the honorary nomination for the speaker
ship.
II Is not difficult to see far into the future
OF the democratic party in the light of this
rupture Mr. Croker has chosen well the
time for his deliyerance. He has likewise
chosen his arguments sagely. The state
ment, falling upon the heels of Bryan's
speeches, shows how wide is the gulf be-
tween the factions. 1t was doubtless Mr.
croker intention to emphasize this breach
lie mas cut out large task for himself as
the new leader of the reOrganized democra
cy He runs grave risk of reorsauizine il
Dy splitting OF slice which will long re-
main IN the minority. But his doctrine
compared with that Of the Bryanites is
wholesome and acceptable If it were not
sfneared with the trade mark of TammanV
IL might be welcomed more heartily bv the
people OF all parties patriotic 1t is as
surediy more constructive and progressive
lhah the Bryan program.