The Portland daily press., 1891-06-18
The Araus and the silver Question


1t is pleasant to find the Argus approach
ing the discussion of public question with
out INDUCING in childish personalities, and
with fair amount of information on the
point at issue. Its editorials of yesterday in
regard to the relations of the silver and gold
dollars deserve a candid reply. Whether
the Argus is supporting the position of Mr.
Cleveland, or of the Democratic rank and
file that tried to force free coinage bill
through the last Congress. is not clear, al
though IL cannot fail to know that the two
positions are SO antagonistic that consider
able number Of very prominent Democratic
statesmen have declared against Mr.. Cleye-
land, on account of his opposition to free
coinage. Among them is General Hooker, of
Mississippi, Senator Voorhees,, of Indiana,
and several other senators from the south.
From what the Argus said yesterday morn
ing 1t seemed to lean away from Mr.. Cleve-
land; but its utterances were not definite.
1t is true that "Bimetallism was the estab-
lished policy Of our government from 1892 to
1873" 1t is also true, as the Argus says,
That about 1873 began war against silver
which has resulted in its practical demone-
tizatiCn. Before 1873 whoever had the num-
Der Of grains Of silver required for dollar
could have them coined into dollar at the
mint, just as the man having the number of
grains Of gold required for dollar can have
them struck into dollar. Since 1878 man
having the number of grains Of silver re-
quired for a dollar must sell them to the
government for the market price of silver,
which is about rs cents; and the govern
ment will coin them into dollar which it
puts forth for 100 cents. 1t is plain to see
that the government is able to do this
through the faith of the public that the gov
eminent is going to keep these 75cent silver
dollars interchangeable with gold dollars,
which are the standard. Now this peculiar
relation of the silver dollar was brought
about principally through the nations of
Europe, which discontinued the old plan of
making the coinage of both gold and silver
free at their minis. We are not inclined to
take issue with Senator Evarts, whom the
Argus quotes as calling the demonstration
of silver the 'capital error-the stupendous
Dlunder of European craftsmanship. Bnt
if the Argus would follow the teachings of
Mr.. EYarts farther, it would find that he
does not favor the scheme that would COM
NIT the United States to solitary attempt
to rectify that blunder. Ten travellers may
be carrying on their shoulders heavy tent
very valuable to the well being of each and
all OF them. But II nine Of them decide at a
given instant to step from under the load the
tenth man must step out also or be crushed
beneath load too heavy for him. He can
not consider whether it be capital error
to drop the tent. If his companions are de-
termined he can do but one thing and that is
to get out himself. This is preciselv
what the United States has done in regard
to silver. When the other nations got ont
from under the burden, the United States
also stepped out. The United States has
always been willing to take it up again and
the Republican party has always been will
ing. Twice at least have the nations of
Europe been approached with proposition
to restore silver They have listened to ms
with attention; but have failed to agree with
us. The Republican party stands ready to
put silver back to its old place at any time
the other nations will agree to joint effort
but it believes the United States entirely un
able to stand the strain alone. The mass Of
the Democratic party, on the other hand
want the United States to venture alone
with all the risks of financial disorder. Mr.
Cleveland, as we have before said does moi
agree to this rash plan of the leaders of his