The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-05-03

1896 VIII come together for conference ana
consultation on the eve OF another great
struggle: that issues will he crystaiized
and public attention focused on the vital
questions Of the day: that the convention
will be held primarily in the interest OF
blmetallism. bat that even though no
other subject may be mentioned on the
floor Of the convention IL VII be impos-
sibie for this gathering to fail Of effect
upon political questions in close relation
with bimetallism: that the forces which
rallied TO the leadership Of Mr.. Bryan I'D
the last fight are agreed upon many other
political interests IN common and that u
these interests are not 10 be discussed
they Will at least be the subject OF private
conference. 1--WE may expect the con-
vention." It adds. ITO have great infa-
ence in shaping the plans for the next
wear. II II does not definitely fix the policy
that will be adopted by the combined
forces that will be arrayed against the
fraud and corruption that now constl-
tute the remnant Of the once great Re
publican party"
So much for the Louisville paper. tbs
New York Evening Post prints letter
from Chicago from ~. V. S." in which
he says that although the politicians OF
the West frankly admit that the silver
issue has spent is force and that the
general revival OF prosperity has caused
multitudes OF voters who were ardent adj
vocates Of the i6 to scheme in 1896 20
doubt its wisdom and TO lose interest in
It's perpetuation as a party issue. at the
same time they believe that II would be
unwiso 10 abandon free silver abruptly
for tho reason that without Il the Popu-
lists cannot be held 81 line as allies Of the
regular Democrats.
II IS clear from all this that some 81
tho party leaders are stM IN favor or
combining under Mr.. Bryan's leadership
an sorts and conditions OF voters who
believe in tho &c 20 doctrine and other
isms OF the Chicago platform. in other
words the disposition seems 10 be 20
cater 10 the Populsis. the free silver
Republicans ana the Socialists rather
than to Democrats who DO not believe
IN free coinage.
II IS in sorrow that We note this ten
dency. The Democratic party made that
experiment I'm 1886 and has pursued that
policy until il has lost the confidence. ~
not the respect. OF tho business world.
There are two courses for tho party now
to pursue The one IS 10 reirace It's steps
and 10 get back upon some one OF the
old time Democratic platforms and 50
bring back into hearty cooperation and
support all true Democrats leaving the
Popuiists and the free silver Republicans
and the Socialists TO 80 their way. The
other IS 10 read out Of tho party all DEM
ocrats who do not believe in free silver
and 10 open the doors to all who do. re-
gardless Of the great principles OF De-
mocracy.
We again sound the note Of warming
The Popuists and Socialists who ahili-
atod with the Democratic party in 1876
Will not be so easily caught in 1860. They
Will demand as The price Of their afiiiia-
ton that the party adopt and incorporate
into its platform other pet doctrines 90
Populism and Socialism. notably govern
ment control of public utilities.
The Democratic party has come TO the
parting of the ways. Which road will it
take2