The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-14
Silver Republicans Coming Back.

occurred within silver Repupicdn CIT
Giles which are OF unusual significance.
as tending to show how rapid Is the pro-
cess of disintegration now going on in
the ranks OF party that has admitted
ly outlIved its usefulness. Former
United States Senator Lee Mantle,
chairman OF the Montana Silver Repub-
lican committee, who withdrew from
the national Republican convention at
st Louis In 1896. because OF its plat
form declaration against free silver. and
who identified himself with the Silver
Republican forces, has written a let
ter renouncing his allegiance to that or
ganization and declaring 1t to be his
intention once more to associate him
self with the party he deserted four
years ago.
Mr.. Mantle says he does this because
the silver question is dead and has been
practically abandoned by the Demo-
cratic party: that "the paramount issue
today is that of maintaining the
honor and dignity OF the nation and tire
supremacy of its flag wherever It Is
rightfully floating. 1t Is the issue wheth-
er we shall preserve the fruits OF all the
blood and treasure expended, and all the
splendid courage and patriotism ex-
hibited In the cause OF humanity and
in the defense OF undeniable rights. and
whether we shall resolutely discharge
the great obligations which have de-
volved upon us. or whether we win
abandon our advanced position. throw
down our arms. cravenly hoist the white
flag and admit TO the world that we
are Incapable OF solving the problems
which confront us"
Closely following tbs announcement
Of Mr.. Mantle CONES that of A. M.
stevenson. OF Colorado, who was dele
gate at large from that state to the st.
Louis convention. and left II with Sem
ator Teller and other delegates from
Colorado. Mr.. Stevenson assisted In
In the last campaign and has held the
chairma nship OF the state committee OF
his party He has just resigned the-pos
sition. however. and announced his re-
turn TO the Republican party. AS a
reason for this action. he declares that
the silver question is no longer para
mount issue and viii not be for years
to come; the SILVER Republican party.
he says. is being kept alive for this
campaign simply TO aid the Democracy,
and with the expansion doctrines OF
the latter he cannot agree.
Hundreds Of humble workers In the
ranks OF the silver Republican party
have returned 10 the old faith without
making public announcement OF the
fact They have quietly admitted that
they were wrong and have asked that
they be permitted TO ally themselves
with the cid party aud allow bygones to
be hygones. a few OF the more rabld
leaders. finding 81 impossible to return
10 party which they have been bitterly
denouncing for four years. have sought
safety from the silver Republican wreck
in the Democracy. These for the most
part are men who have gained Office
through the temporary rise OF silver RE-
publicanisn, who hope for political pre-
ferment through fusion or who for some
years prior 10 1876 had been unsuccess-
| fnlasplrants for place within the Rcpuh-
licaa organization and were cat OF tune
with the party because Of disappoint-
| meDt These men, as a rsile. when they
| decided to foFsake Repuhlicanlsm. dellh-
/ srateiy burned their bridges behind
them and the naly course open % them
Is 90 Join the party Of modern pemoc-
racy.
The return of men like Mantle and
! Stevenson. who were among the oylgi-
nal seceders, who were chairmea Of
state SILVER Republican committees. ana
/ who have been looked 10 as leaders 81
The cause. a likely 10 have a decided tn
aueRce in Fastening the final collapse
- the free silver organization. There
are many men prominent In the silver
| Republican PARTY who have repeatedly
declared that they are SIN Republicans
except as 60 the silver issue. and IL Is
not improbable that they VIII soon fol-
low in the footsteps az Mr. Stevenson,
and the ex-senator from Montana II,
as these leaders say, the silver question
Is dead or Is not paramount issue. and
for this reason they see no other alter
native but to return 10 the party they
left In 1896. It Is not likely that those