The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1899-02-25
COMING DISINTEGRATI0N.
The Democracy Is Showing Sigma
of Rapidly Going to
Pieces.

Not since the years that followed
close upon the civil war has the demo-
cratic party been in such critical con-
dition as it is to-day. The conference
of national commits emen which was
held here in Chicago was an exhibition
of irreconcilable differences which were
emphasized by the arbitrary demands
of certain extremists. Apparently it is
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-expansion.
The two are to be ineXtricably united,
and so a situation that was discourag.
ing enough before is rendered more
than ever intolerable. Senator Teller,
who is everywhere acknowledged to be
,he ablest of the silverites, will resign
from the national ways and means COM
mittee because he believes that it is i'm
polite to oppose expansion. This de-
lection is of the utmost Importance.
The senator is a 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
clined to desert their allies. AS a 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-Gov. Stone, of Missouri, sup
Elements the republican with demo
cratic secession. The ex-governor is a
pronounced eXpansionist and has been
almost from the first. He is probably
too much of party man to bolt con-
vention, but he is ready to lead fac
tional fight which will scatter the seeds
of dissenson and weaken the forces.
1t is to be noticed also that while
these silver leaders have been offended
and repealed, the silver utterances OF
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 Congressman Towne, a
republican who unites with them in
radical deAunciation of imperialism,
says:
II believe the convention of 1900 will re-
| iterate the Chicago platform of 1886 on the
money question. 1t will do it, l believe, fol
the reason that public sentiment will de-
| mand it and for the additional reason thai
the machinery of the party is in the hands
| of the friends of silver and will continue
| so.'
Here we have an uncompromisine
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
ing all over the country which go tc
show that the silver cause is steadily
losing ground on it's own dement's
Taken by itself it holds out no promise
of success. With anti-expansion added
it 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 is
leading the democratic party to de
struction.
Though it is true, as its friends as
sert, that this great historic organiza
ton has survived many terrific shock:
and trials, there was never a time wEer
it contained so many essentially disin
tegrating factors as it does at present
Even the south is turning from it, while
there is no basis for reunion such as
was found in national politics after the
war.-Chicago Times-Herald.