Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1891-06-27
LIGHT WANTED.

We are open to conviction on the
free coinage question. We are by no
means hide-bound in our position on
the measure. If anybody will show
us that free coinage would even re-
suit in no harm to the country we
will cease to raise our feeble voice
against it, simply for the sake'of har-
mony if nothing else. Our neigh
Dor, the New Era, in the two or
three columns devoted to the STAN~
DARD and the silver question this
week, failed to present anything to
produce the least change in our opin-
ions of the measure. We admit that
some strong arguments are presented
on both sides Of the question, but we
think that the burden of proof is
against free coinage. 1t is question
too vast, intricate and far reaching
for us to grasp. We are conscious of
the fact that we knOw practically
nothing about the question, but we
have some modest opinions and ideas
about it, and the simple honesty
with which we hold them makes us
fearless in expressing them. But as
the Era has undertaken to enlighten
us fully and freely on the question,
we will ask it to give us a little in
formation not contained in its last
issue, purely by oversight or want of
space, we presume.
First, we would like to know why
the advocates of free coinage object to
putting a dollars worth of silver in
the dollar. If this were done we
could see no objection to free and I'M
limited coinage Of silver. Gold has a
bullion value equal to it smoney value.
Put silver coin on the same equality
with the bullion and we will heartily
favor its free and unlimited coinage.
Unless this is done we connot see how
free coinage can be anything else
than class legislation. If the govern
ment is to place twenty per cent
premium upon all the silver produced
in this country and the balance of the
world, 1--WE don't see why the pro-
ducers OF copper, zinc, iron, wheat,
corn, potatoes, or any other product
wouldn't be entitled to the same
favor.
Second, we would like for the Era
to tell us how free coinage is going
to remove any of the alleged antago
nism between labor and capital
Will free coinage soften the
heart of the capitalist, or make
him any less avaricious or op
pressive? Is increasing his weapon
of warfare going to make the money
owner any less aggressive?
Third, will the Era give us a littl,
more light on the question rs to how
free coinage is to benefit man VIII,
has nothing to sell? Or granting t,
free coinage for the sake of argumen
a result which we questiOn-infiatiol
of the currency-how is this to bene
fit people who have nothing to Civ
in exchange for it. There are mil
lions of people in this country VIII
have no land to sell, and little o
none of its products. How is fire.
coinage to bring about any change il
their condition?
Again, will the Era please tell u
how free coinage is to have any effeC
in changing the law of supply an
demand? or how it is to proven
over,production of farm product;
and the consequent declination t
zero prices. How is it to prever
spectators from cornering certain pre-
ducts after they have passed out {
the producers hands, and fixin
prices to suit themselves
These are some of the things W
want to know about free coinage b,
fore we can consistently advocat
such radical change in the financiI
policy of our government. Whe
the Era has thrown satisfactory ligl
E upon these points we will be read
= to admit that we have been lookin
at the matter under false lights.
:. Tragedies in Putnam County.