New-York tribune., 1900-11-04
have a standard Of personal and civic virtue
worthy OF a great nation.
THE PARADE.

The rain did its best to spoil the Republican
/ and Sound Money parade yesterday but II
could not dampen the ardor Of the men who
turned out to testify their adherence of free
silver and Organism. or of the crowds who
turned out to them march an-l cheer them
on their way Hour after hour, in spite of the
weather. the men moved in line. and the spec
tators stood beneath umbrellas as cheerfuly as
| if the skies were bright. Such enthusiasm may
not have been altogether according to wisdom.
1t is 10 be feared that some voters caught cold
and will pay for their marching for sound
money by being in bed and unable TO vote for 1t
on Tuesday. But the zeal which they mani
tested is not Insignificant and will not be with
out effect.
The value Of political professions, and even
of political meetings and speaking tours in
campaign, is much in debate. 1t is undoubt-
edly true that spectacular demonstrations are
to be had for the making. Good executive
ability and hard work secure n respect
able showing for any party. SO clearly is
this recognized on all sides that professions are
less frequent and receive less notice as impor-
tant features of n contest than they formerly
did The days of Log Cabin" campaigns
past, at least so far as the East is concerned.
People are more sedate, if not on the whole
more thoughtful and intelligent, in their poll
tics. With regard to this city particularly, our
population is so large. its interests varied,
its absorption in business is so intense and its
experience with great spectacleS so ample that
n parade for political or other purposes with
difficulty arouses general enthusiasm. People
who saw the reception to Admiral Dewey and
the great procession of the men from the navies
of the world in celebration of the discovery of
America cannot be strongly attracted by the
mere sight of thousands of men without gay
uniforms marching to testify TO their political
faith It takes real interest in the question at
stake to draw them from their vocatOns, and
there must be a tremendous feeling to arouse
such interest as was manifested yesterday in
this city, which is naturally Democratic and
naturally selfcentrcd.
When New York can turn out so impressive
n body of voters as filled Broadway and Fifth
ave. from morning till night the depth of its
devotion to sound money is unquestionable
Busy merchants and brokers do not leave their
business for mere play. Doubt as much as one
will the positive effect of demonstrations on
voters, the fact cannot be denied that the
business mems activity and earnestness testify
to strong conviction and great concern for the
preservation of the National honor. This fight
for sound money was fought once in 1896. and
the old issue could not this year arouse people
then because they have been too confident
that Bryan's doctrines never could win. But
those who witnessed the parade yesterday and
noted how spontaneous and all pervading was
the enthusiasm even amid the rain will not be
left in any doubt that New-YOrk is firmly
opposed TO free silver and free riot it
when Bryan and the Chicago platform first
threatened established order with all the ter
rors of a novel menace and an unmeasured
force The menace is no longer novel and the
force has been measured once and checked. but
the doctrines are not less abhorred than they
were at first by the orderly and conservative
elements of the mptrODOS