LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
THE EVOLUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN THE UNITED STATES.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
Sin,—During the last sixteen years there never was a time when, if we were to believe the Press of New York, the "free silver" issue in the United States was not dying and discredited. Generally, for the purposes of artistic veri- similitude, some prominent free silver advocate was " inter- viewed " to declare that he had given up the straggle. The interview would assist to "establish confidence" in the European markets ; the disclaimer of the one interviewed being, of cosrse, ignored there and here. In the latest of these bogus "interviews "—an interview which in your article this week you accept in good faith—we find Senators Stewart and Jones, both of Nevada, deserting the lost cause. I enclose Senator Stewart's positive disclaimer, both for him- self and his colleague. It is perhaps safer, for all time to come, to discredit all such alleged " interviews " on the general ground that no man in America, or for that matter in Europe either, has ever wearied of this cause. Senator Jones, of Arkansas, who was in charge of Mr. Bryan's campaign, was forced by the empty state of the party "barrel" to make an appeal for a popular subscription. He showed me a reply, enclosing six five-cent pieces. The writer, a Chicago mechanic, was in the habit of walking four miles to his work and coming home in the cable cars ; that week he had walked both ways in order to be able to contribute thirty cents. It is to such a spirit of self-sacrifice as this that Mr. Bryan owes his pro- digious vote last November,—a vote nearly a million in excess of that which elected Mr. Cleveland in 1892.-1 am, Sir, &c., MORETON FREWEN.
Innishannon, Co. Cork, September 15th.
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