Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-12-31
MONDAY. pECEMB ER 81. l9eo.
TIE DUTY CT REPUBLICANS.

The attempt to split up and divide the
republican party at a time Wheh -
ranks should he closed and a uhlteo'
solid front presented to the common
enemy, is meeting with the failure IL
deserves. Republicans are not breaklns
,,a;r necks 10 accept the invitation 10
self-destruction, which the promoters Oh
the scheme fondly imagined they would
Spite. envy and malice are not a sooo
foundation upon which to build any
worthy and enduring structure, ana the
great body Of the republicans OF TINS
s4a+e are far TOO sensible and to intel
lisent and love fair dealing too Wen 10
become parties to a proposition SO III
7irnad so ill-advised and SO lacking in
ordinary common sense.
The future of the republican party Is
in the hands OF the rank and file OF the
party. The leaders they now have are
the ones they themselves nave selected.
In due time there will be another state
convention and then a proper oppor-
tunity will he presented to republicans
to select such leaders as they may
choos, in a legitimate manner. II they
shall then select the few gentlemen
who are now doing SO much fault anu
inc. all we'll and good. The republican
,-,1n+ +Jai. lA)6nrShln.
and in such an event we hope there Wlil
be no one in the opposition mean ana
miserable enough to attempt to raise a
mutiny in the ranks, in the momen OF
defeat. to serve their own selfish ambi-
Sions.
The present is a critical moment Tor
the republican party of Montana. -Four
wears ago it was hopelessly divided on
A question involving then was
REGARDED by many as an essential prln-
cip,e in governmental policy. TWO
thirds of the republicans of the state
aba! y aed the old organization, on the
national ticket, because they honestly
believed it to he wrong on the financial
question. But the occasion was not one
Of 10y. They were actuated by neither
suite nor envy nor malice. The parting
and, as a rule, there was neither bitter
ness or anger. In four years a complete
y .~a lt1 lnpp Nrrnn0nt IN the Ield-
tio+, controlling political issues. The
vital question Of free coinage had been
ralecated to a subordinate position.
Other great questions had thrust it into
the background. and it was no longer a
casr,e for division among republicans
The party was again united, and in
d. election lust closed made a gain OF
80 per cent over its vote Of 1896. And
now. at the very moment When har-
nony is essential to the end that wise
policies may prevail, and that a founda-
ton NAV he laid for future success
comes this foolish, if not malicious ane
deliberate, attempt to stir up strife ane
thus fritter away the golden oppor'
tunity. And it is worthy of note, IL
passing, that some of those who ar
engaged in it are the ones who Wer'
most bitter in denunciation of the re
publicans who, acting upon principle
went out in 1896. What real principle
we ask, governed those men and news
u.pers who betrayed the party in 1900
What good principle. or what patriot
purpose governs those who are now Ell
gagged insthe effort to disrupt a re-unite
party?
In the name of common sense and #
the sake OF the party for which the:
gentlemen profess so much loyalty al
devotion. we call upon them to halt
their suicidal policy. If it is leadersh
they desire, let them wait for the prop
time and occasion, and then, if the pc
pie want them, they will choose the
and in that event we will stand by the
and hold up their and
EJIp NTSuTNH RnNnS