The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-01-28
COMING DIsINTEGRATIoN.
The Democracy II showing signs
OF Rapidly Going 10
Pieces.


Not since the years that followed
close upon the civil war has the demo-
cratic party been In such critical con-
dition as il is to-day. The conferences
OF national committeeman which was
held here in Chicago was an exhibition
OF irreconclable differences which were
emphasized by the arbitrary demands
of certain extremists. Apparently IL IN
the purpose Of these men TO rule at all
hazards, and an examination OF their
programme demonstrates conclusively
that their rule means ruin.
Their test OF fidelity is acquiescence
In the old dogma Of sixteen TO one and
in the new dogma OF anti-expdnsion-
The two are 10 be ineXtricably united,
and so situation that was discourage
ing enough before is rendered more
than ever intolerable. Senator Teller,
who Is everywhere acknowledged TO be
Nhe nblest of the silverites, will resign
from the national ways and means COM
mittee because he believes that il is i'm
polite 10 oppose expansion. This de-
lection is of the utmost Importance.
The senator is republican still, in spite
Of his affiliations with democrats. and
! his influence upon the silver wing OF his
party is greater than that of any other
man in or out of its ranks. Naturally
/ his followers will be disconnected by his
action, and many OF them will be in
/ clincd TO desert their allies. AS result
the latter will be deprived of support
which they themselves have considered
Indispensable.
But this is not the full extent OF the
revolt EX-Goy Stone. OF Missouri, sup
plemcnts the republican with n demo-
cratic secession. The ex-governor is a
pronounced expansionist and has been
almost from the first. lie is probably
too much OF party man 10 bolt a con
yeniion. but he IS ready TO lead fac
tionnl fight which will scatter the seeds
Of dissension and weaken the forces.
1t Is 10 be noticed also that whilc
these silver leaders have been offended
and repealed. the silver utterances or
the controlling faction have undergone
no notifications. Mr.. Bryan and Sena-
tor Jones both declare that sixteen to
one will be insisted upon as strongly as
ever. And cx Congressman Towne, n
republican who unitcs with them in
radical denunciation Of imperialism,
says:
~ believe the convention OF 1900 viii re-
iterate the Chicago platform Of 1896 on tho
money question. IL will do u, believe, for
che reason that public sentiment viii de-
nand Il and for the additional reason thnt
.he machinery Of the party " m the hands
Of the friends OF silver and Will continue
30"
Here we have an incorporating
notification TO the gold democrats that
they are ostracised and that no help Is
expected or desired from them. The
old wounds are kept fresh while new
ones are being inflicted.
At the same time signs are multiply
inc All over the country which go to
show that the silver cause Is steadily
losing ground on its own dement's.
Taken by itself it holds out no PROMISE
OF success. With anti-expansion added
ii Is doomed to one Of the greatest fail-
ures that have ever been recorded in the
annals OF Americn politics. The ma
chinery OF which Mr.. Towne boasts IA
leading the democratic party TO de-
struction
Though II is true, as its friends as
sert. that this great historic organiza-
: ton has survived many terrific shocks
and trials. there was never time when
il contained so many essentially disin-
: tegrating factors as ii does at present
Even the south is turning from II, while
there is no basis for reunion such as
was found in national politics after the
war.-Chicago Timcs-IIerald.