The sun., 1900-11-17

1t b utterly without homogeneity. - the
last two campaigns have demonstrated.
The distinction between Gold Democracy.
or true Democracy as 1t Is called. and
the Democracy Of the followers of BRYAN
Is so radical that their association in the
same party is obviously impossible. In any
reorganization Of the Democratic party one
or the other must be dominant. for. even
apart from the currency question. the con-
flct between the two Is complete and
irreconcilable The Gold Democrats are
as close to the Republican party. as 1t now
is, as they are far from the existing Demo-
cratic party.
Consequently Mr.. BYNUM, as logical man.
goes over to the Republican party squarely
and finally. II is now the only resort pos
sible to him, with political division as 1t Is
and as II wfil remain: and many other Gold
Democrats or true Democrats must
follow him II they are to preserve reasonable
consistency. 1t would be childish for them
to keep up political opposition when actually
they are In agreement on every point OF
present or probable future significance.
The situation recalls that during the
Civil War when War Democrats like
DIX. STANTON. DICKINSON and their
many illustrious associates were impelled
by their passion Of patriotism to sus-
tain and vote with the Republican party:
and once having gone to it they re-
mainsd foremost among its representa-
tives. as leaders and as mouldars OF Its
policies. The contradictory record OF the
Democratic party since the Civil War. with
It's final plunge into Organism and anti
imperialism" has excluded from 1t Demo-
Gratis like Mr.. BYNUM. Mr.. HEWITT.
Mr.. FAIRcHILD and Mr.. CARLISLE not less
forciby than the War Democrats
were driven from their party during
the Civil War. 1t no longer affords
natural political home for them. while their
harmony with the Republicans on all the
great questions now dividing parties Is
practically complete. The tariff question.
the only cause Of difference In the past.
having been removed and 1t being In proc
ess of self-settlement. In strict accordance
with principles continuously held by the
Democratic party-for the variation In 1892
was q mere proclamation In words soon
contradicted in positive Democratic legis-
lation--no wall Of separation remains for
them.
None Of the contemporary Democrats We
have named has been more faithful to the
Democratic party and more prominent in 1t
than Mr.. BYNUM. In 1879 he was Presi-
dental Elector from Indiana on the Tilden
ticket. For ten years up to 1895 he was
Member OF Congress and foremos, figure
on the Democratic side. But now he finds
himself actually Republican. as. In
truth. the others are also. II they
are not Republicans. where are they
politically' Even II tho Democratic party
Is brought by reorganization into har-
mony with them and their convictions
wherein will consist the distinction between
IL and the Republican party recognizable
by logical mind? What will be the reason
for it's existence as an opposition?
Mr.. BYNuM in his confessed inability
to discover any possibility Of bringing
his old party into agreement with him
which does not virtually merge 1t in
the Republican party. reaches con-
clusion to which all men who look at the
subject without the distortion Of mere par
tisan prejudice mus, come eventually. In
other words. they will be forced to the con-
clusion that the Democratic party. however
must Of necessity array itself
against their political principles and con-
victions il it Is to have any reason for its
existence.
What is the use Of fighting. when there is
nothing to fight over' The distinction be-
tween Republicans and Democrats of the
Actually they are In the same political
camp.