The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1882-02-22
THz REAL ENEMY.

Under the above caption the New
York .NiniMg Rcri.w Of the nth inst.
contains the following very sensible re-
marks, which it would it. we'll for the
two or three journals in the West, ut
which it is aimed, to pay attention:
ut does seem most fni:>hly absurd
that western newspapers, drawing their
very lite from the Development IF silver
mining, should now I've found turning to
stab the (n,s,nl that has warmed them
into existence. The veteran mining
journals which, in the financial c.,nters,
have been in a position to SEE the threat
encd danger, long ago sounded the note
III warning and called upon the Miners
Unions and Local papers tO organize at
once, in solid phalanx, against the self
isllness OF eastern bDndllOidcrS, and de-
fcnd one of the most important indus
tries If the country, from the almost
certain destruction which threatens its
development aud its future growth and
prosperity. Yet these appeals have
practically fallen nlOn ears dead to all
sense of danger or duty. still, in view
Of the present aud prospective advan-
t:,ge Of the legitimate improvement
Of silver mining. and the threatening
danger which was aiming u death blow
at its best interest, the standard mining
journals have been persistent in their
efforts to arouse public interest and ere
ate public opinion in regard to this great
question. While they were battling
alone with the vanguard Of mighty
power, until the echo Of the battle
should reach acrs~s the continent. and
set on fire beacon lights on the noun
tain tops Of every mining camp, and the
rallying hosts Of those Interested in the
preservation Of = mighty industry, and
the defense Of their rights. should unite,
even ut the n,llOt box il necessary, 4
new enemy appears in The field from an
uncx pectcrl quarter. \ fire in the ra:,r
from points from which help was cx-
l'ecteti. Papers published in mining
camps, supported by miners and the
mining business, repeat with approval
the silly twaddle Of unti"iged, Ss,-t:,lle,i
mining journals, concerning the imlN,s-
sible coinage Of silver dollars ''Of the
same market value as the gold in GOLD
dollar" at all times and in all places.
No paper, whatever Ie its name or
prctcntiOns, Is true t. the best interest of
the miner or Of the mining interest OF
the country, which al<h-s not stand firm
~ for the recognition Of silver us one Oi'
tho chief metals in ti,ecurremvy of the
nation, and demand that no unjust res
friction shall he laid upon its use and
production Ivy limiting i,sw'wcr n law
tul currency to the full extent uf its
coinage. There is no valid reason tina,
can Ike given to prove that silver, taken
from Amer can mines. il not ~ val,.-
able is the same amount Uf silver mined
in amy other part Of the world. hence
those, who denIan.! that IN American
dollar must contain more grains Of sill
yer than the coins o; other nations.
which are made. legal tender Cor one
hundred cents in gold, are false
friends to silver mining. and
the most DANCE Wlls enemies Of this
great industry, which promises sd n,u"l,
for the future prosperity anil stability
Of our nation and people. 1t bch,n,vrs
those who have invested time, money
and energy in the development Of min
ing as Il legitimate, productive. industry,
now to discriminate between their
friends and their foes, and act the part
of wise men, whose valuable interests
recent uttcranct,S have disclosed the real
y ssN SSANo SA0NS WIG JAN'?N dangerous IWS
with which the true friends Of mining
have now to cOntenh."
When journals occupying the proni-
nence III mining circles that the Mining
Rcri|w does feels called upon to reb,,kc
newspapers published in mining regions
for their utterances upon the silver
question, 1t is quite time that those
whose interests are seriously jeolmr,lized
by such uttcrances should also
rebuke them. The prominent mining
journals in the East, which have for
years been battling in the interests Of
silver miners, cannot understand how
newspapers which owe their life to, aud
derive their support from, the silver
mining industry, can stab that industry
to the heart. 1t Is mystery, and the
people confess their inability to explain
it. In all this grcat Western world we
K now Of hut two or threesO-calletl news
papers that take the bondholders' view