The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-01-28
A "Gold Democrats" Overtures to
Bryan.

The Hon. W. BoURKe CoCKRAN's an
nouncemen', made yesterday, OF his friend
illness for BRYAN as the next Democratic
candidate for President shows that this
former distinguished Gold Democrat" is
moved to rejoin the Democracy, not by the
influence OF logic as applied to the political
principles he has stood for, but through tho
more powerful force Of sentiment. Tho
longing TO enjoy his old political associa-
tons is so strong that, In order to crafty
i, Mr.. COCHRAN feels that hts views
on public questions must DO readjusted
at almost any cost.
Mr.. CoCKRAN's scheme for enabling the
Democratic party to mako anti-imperial-
ism, which he favors, the sole issue with.
out afrontlng believers in free silver Is
somewhat difficult to follow but Is substan-
TALLY this:
No matter what the Democratic platform
our currency could not be put upon a sill
vcr basis for at least four years" But thus
secured from Bryanist'c attack, however
fierce, the candidate should be asked to
agree, in order to let imperialism b. tho
sole issue, that the financial status quo
should be preserved forthenext four years"
Mr.. BRYAN Is too honest q man TO be 'ca-
pablo Of suppressing or renouncing, or
Disgusting his views on any question"
and therefore the Chicago platform, with
its free-silver plank, must be reaffirmed;
but II the Convention should decide
that something else should subordinate IL
for a time Mr.. BRYAN would accept
the judgment OF tho Convention" In
1904 Mr.. BRYAN, relieved of his promise
Of four years passivity toward the currency.
would be free 10 seek reelection MS an adj
Nocate Of free silver" Mr.. CoCKRAN's part
in providing the champion Of such a cause
with Presidential influence and power would
he atoned for by Mr.. CoCBBAN's "oppos-
Ing him again as earnestly rs | did III 1896"
As to trusts Mr.. BRYAN's position is prob
ably the same as Mr. CoCKRAN's, although
at the Trust Conference In Chicago laet fall
Mr.. COCHRAN, we believe. was Mr.. BRYAN's
chief opponent.
Where and what the bottom TO this re-
markablc reasoning Is II is unnecessary to
stop 70 investigate, The simplest and most
direct and unconditional announcement on
Mr.. CocKRAN's part that he would vote for
BRYAN lrst, last and all the time, would not
show more Enthusiastically his eagerness
again TO bear the name Of Democrat with
his party's sanction.
Other Democrats who in 1899 supported
the cause Of honest money, and who now,
restless, disappointed, or lonely. long to
return to the party they then felt them
selves compelled to abandon, must before
election day comes round test again the
force Of their party's convictions after the
manner Of Mr.. COCHRAN. With some the
result will be what II has been with him.
Others. OF course, will refuse to sacrifice
| the national credit and good faith and ali
that they imply to their prejudice against
national expansion.
It happens that with Mr.. CocKRAS'sfo for
mutation Of his views rs to how Democratic
harmony" may be restored, there comes
from the West, from the National Commit
tee Of the Populist party, tho question
whether the Democratic leader who has
oeen fraternizing with the Empire State
Democrats Ia TO be, to use the actual Popu-
list phrase. "a pig in the West and a puppy
in the East?"