The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-04
WEDNESDAY. JULY 4, 1900.
nnYaN AND PARTY REGULARITY

II Is contended by some that the Hlf1er-
ence between a general reaffi1mation of the
Chicago platform on the part OF the Ran
eas city Convention and new deciala-
ton In favor of is to ] is the difference
between tweededum and tweedle1ee
That might be true in anything but poll
tics. But it is perfectly plain to all VINO
take ar, ,lnprejudiced view Of the situation
that this is a distinct fight between the
conservatives and the radicals. The issue
is fairly joined and If the convention shall
asi;z.ply resfiirm the Chicago platform OF
1896, it will be a victory for the conserva-
tiyes and free silver as an issue will be
retired On the contrary, if the convention
declares In terms for l6 TO l, the victory
will be with the radicals and free silver
will be forced into the campaign as far as
such an effcte thing may be forced. as the
leading issue.
Mr. Bryan and the radical wing of the
party understand this full we'll As mat
1ers now stand they see plainly that IA
simple reafiiTmation of the Chicago plat
form would be a. death blow to l6 to i,
would be SULllSalSIl OK tiiC pa " .-'S
convention to a reputation of free silver
for the whole free silver issue as exploited
In 1896 and since that time hinges on the
ratio of 16 TO d.
If MIR. BRYAN consents TO the programme
,11apped out by the conservatives he VIII
make an abject surrender Of the one thing
that he has so zealously, and we might say
SO relgiously, contcnded for II MI
Bryan consents 10 any compromise what
ever on this subject, If he retreats one
step from the advanced position which ne
iopl, in 1896. and which he has since held.
II will be equivalent to captulation and
Will he so construed. Mr.. Bryan cannot
afford 10 go before the people on an
eouivocal platform. Whatever may be
said against him, he was ever frank, open
and above board on this question of silver,
and if he accepts the nomination of the
marty this time il must be upon an un-
kuuivocal, straightforward platform, or
he will undoubtedly lose caste. at least
NTH the free silver wing of the party, and
ki,i be regarded as traitor to their cause.
Mr.. BRYAN has said time and again that
ee coinage al l6 TO 1 is d cardinal Demo-
atic principle. He has preached that
e,rine UP and down this country. and
Hkh a principle.
y II there We're really no difference. as the
Politicians understand it, between simple
rsaffirmation OF the Chicago platform and
a aeinte pronouncement in favor of is to
J. there would be no contest in the con-
gention. But the delegates themselves
have made a distinction ana there Is just
as much difference between the position,
respectively, of the radicals and oonserva-
tiyes as there was in the convention OF
1896 between the out-and-out free silver,
men and the ou;-and-out gold men. There
IS just as sharp a fight this time between
the faction headed by Bryan and the fac
ton represented by David s. Hill as there
was IN 1896. and one side or the other is
going TO win the victory. Mr.. Bryan
knows this full we'll and hence he insists
upon reiteration Of the l6 to plank. he
knows that in the decision Of this question
Is either party victory or a party defeat
Cor him.
Therefore. when party leaders went to
Mr. Bryan and begged him 10 compromise
In the interest OF party harmony, he stout
iy declined TO make any compromise and
said 10 the party leaders that unless the
convention should make a distinct pro-
uounoement in favor of IL to i. he would
refuse to accept the nomination That is
grand stand Tor a politician to take. bur
what becomes of party regularity? Mr..
Bryan has said in so many words to the
party leaders that unless they make plat
form agreeable to him he viii have no.
thing to do with the party. Previously to
me convention % 1925 he said ina. II tho
Democrats esu.e Oh, Tor the geld standard
he would qui, the party. He seems TO soc-
cupy that same position now.e Mr.. Bryan
Is to-day the supreme dictator OF the
Ds.nscrasie party. and 40 Eiil have every
80 A,a,y ~ - R,o1fsH.rfsy 1t Is an