New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-09-05
SILVER REPUBLICANS.
Deserving Bryan to Vote for Roose-
UeIt This Year.


Washington, Sept chairman Babcock of
the Republican Congressional Committee has
ceived the following letter from d. c. Tillotson.
of Topeka Kan. formerly chairman of the Ma
tional Republican Silver party:
Dear Sir: In 1896 large body Of voters who
had always been loyal Republicans supported
the nominee OF the Democratic party for con-
viction's sake. While many, doubling the good
faith Of the Democratic party, returned TO their
party allegiance, a greater number. believing
that the Republican party was not recognizing
the economic and industrial problems confront
ing the people continued TO support the Demo
cratic candidate. These, the Republican
Silver party, did me the honor in 1900 of making
the chairman OF their national committee.
Present conditions make any further attempt to
maintain a silver party organization mere
farce, whatever may be ones academical theory
of money.
with changed conditions come changed po-
litical relations. I speak only for myself but II
appears TO me that the Democratic party has
forfeited its claim upon all voters except such az
vote the ticket from tradition. Indeed, the only
Democrat who in a generation has stood for an
idea is constrained to admit that the candidate
Of his party Is the beneficiary OF fraud prac.
tised upon the convention which nominated HIM
The Democratic party, through its attitude
and the attitude Of its candidates. admits that
the Republican party is right on the money
question 1t admits that the Republican party
has perfected the legislation needed for con-
trolling the trusts and rnonopoIies a perfectlon
that the Republican party itself has never
claimed. It admits that If successful, nothing
in the way Of tariff legislation be effected
except such as may be approved by the RrpuJ-
lican party. yet It seeks 10 make tariff tlukering
an issue. 1t condemns the acquisition OF
right to build the Panama Canal but says rat!fy
the act by keeping the goods 1t sympathlzes
with the Fipnos. but fails to recognize that the
acquisition OF these islands was ratified by the
people in 1900 after a full discussion, and that
ii is not aCademiCal but practical
question the government must manage II de-
clares for constitutional government. but sig
nally fails TO show where constitutional govern
ment has been subverted, or 10 point out rem
edy in the case. 1t is opposed 10 polygamy but
that is no more an issue than free silver
1t presents Us with candidate whose political
virtues Of the negative sort, as those OF
Buchanan Pierce and Fillmore and. from all we
can learn would give us just about their kind OF
an administration. He claims that the body po-
lite is sick, and as a remedy proposes four
years OF paralysis. II this attitude is IN good
faith, II would appear that there is no good
son for supporting the party or it's candidate; II
in bad faith, then there is every reason for not
supporting them Those who believe that the
economic and Industrial problems affecting the
people should receive more consideration have
this time.
With no definite programme to advocate and
no settled policy Of government to assert. the
opposition is devoting its energies 70 an attack
upon President Roosevelt. and the motive OF
this attack is a high compliment to him. His
opponents compelled to admit that he IS a
man Of virility, Of high moral purpose in both
civil and official life, and that does evad.
official responsibility in consistently advocating
publicity in all business affecting the public ser
vice; he would place before the people tho data
which will enable them to act fntelligently In
ing settlement OF the great coal strike he rec
ogniZed that there practical industrial ques-
tions that demand the attention of government
and that the bayonet is not necessary element
in settling labor disputes In pushing the
Northern Securities case to a successful issue he
faced OF the most serious economic prob
lens. and demonstrated that in this country the
Constitution and the law is the king. while his
fearless prosecution of official dellnquents has
earned the support OF good citizens everywhere.
While there many honest and upright
citizens among his opponents, yet the fact re-
mains that the Presidents vigorous and agrees
sive execution Of his Office has led the manpu-
lator Of predatory wealth, the professional agita-
tor and the political CRATER to make common
cause against him. These thoroughly con-
WINGED that the President is not safe but legiti-
mate and vested rights have no cause Of COM
plant.
The voter has to choose between or the
other OF the candidates of the dominant parties,
or throw his vote away protest by
voting for some third party candidate. 1t APP
pears to me that the President is entitled to a
vote of confidence. and above all party
siderations the election of President Roosevelt
is required as vindcation of moral courage
and official integrity in the government of men
"a Vindication not OF the candidate. but of the
American people. The Republican party has
courageously met its responsibility In this cam
paign. and that 1t may win the success 1t has
thereby earned is my desire. and 1 shall do
what to contribute thereto.