The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1899-07-28

Inc silver hepuDlicuhs Ill iuhhV'
in answer to a question, SIS the Silver
Republican party going to pieces in
Idaho?" Nj. Patrie. Secretary of State,
writes, in part, as follows:
Our party is not dissolved, nor has it
even resolved to dissolve. In many in
stances of municipal elections, the is
sue of free coinage has been frequently
and wisely ignored, with the approba
ton of the leaders, upon the ground
that it is national question, not to be
dragged into the mud of local or ward
contentious.
If the press of Southern Idaho con-
tends, because of this fact, that the
Silver Republican party has dissolved
or gone to pieces, its Logic is ridicu-
lous, and it will find out its mistake
"when supper time comes"
You request my personal views on
the political outlook for 1900.
In the light of the changes of the
past two years, in national affairs and
conditions, it is difficult to forecast
what may happen in the next year, or
what national political issues may be
presented by the national conventions.
The present situation in Idaho is of
Importance in forming conclusions as
to future possibilities.
The old Republican party in Idaho
was, for years, committed to free coin
age. l think it safe to assert, that
when the ST. Louis platform was adopt
ed, general regret was felt by all of
that party in this state relative to the
financial plank of that platform.
Many If the Republicans of our state
felt that, although their party was
against them on the financial ques-
ton, yet long party ties and firm
conviction that the old Republican
party would yet return to its position
of former years, induced many of the
old party to place themselves under
the gold standard. Many Others be-
lieved it their duty to abide by the
long recognized principle of free coin
age, and organized the Silver Repub-
lican party. Tho latter believed the
free coinage of silver to be the para
mount issue, in national politics, and
found other political parties willing to
join them in declaring for the free
coinage of silver at the ratio of l6 to l. |
Should the next National Democratic |
Convention make free coinage the par
amount issue, it would be the natural |
conclusion that the Silver Republicans
would prefer to perpetuate the alliance |
formed in 1893, silver being the vital |
question with them.
There has never been a time when |
the Silver Republicans have felt that
they were other than true Republicans
in every way, based upon the Republi-
can record prior to the st. Louis con-
In the last state convention
they declared for expansion, hence we
can find no fault with the present ad-
prosecuting the war in the
Philippines.
No dissolution Of the Silver Repub-
lican party is thought of at the pres
emit time. All parties recognize the
fact, that the Silver Repub-
Leans now hold the balance of power
IN the state of Idaho.
1t would be the heighth of folly at
his time to abandon that advantage;
and it would seem that other political
in Idaho, recognize that
t would be better to have the Silver
Republicans united with them as a
powerful and organized ally, than as a
lismembered and disorganized COM
'any. The Silver Republicans are not
nd will not become Democrats, nor
ollow any leadership into the Demo- -.
ratio camp, and will act as unit in
he next campaign.
These are only my personal views
nd impressions. l do not speak for n
theirs of my party. We have not !
bandoned free coinage. We have not
issolved. Our organization is in good
orking order. We hold the balance
power, and doubtless there is wis
ON enough in the organization to do n
hat is best for tho cause when the r
me for action comes. a
ta