Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-12-27

are At home enjoying the pleasures OF the
Christmas holidays and endeavofing to
forget the multiplicity Of. annoyAnces De-
longing to them in their capacity rs tho
peoples representatives we Will take occa-
slon TO say o word on the subject OF the
prospects of silver ~ tho circulating
medium of tho richest nations IN tho
world.
First. 1t may be set down as certain that
whenever England and France or England
and Germany. or France and Germany de-
eide to unite with the United States and
fully remonetize silver, this metal will at
once bound to q parity with gold, there to
remain forever. Forever" is a compre-
hensive word, but 1t is not used carelessly
here. ave mean what We say" Discus
sion has so enlightened the world on this
subject that whenever silver shall again
become the equal OF gold Q6 to - 1t VIII
remain so. The white metal has asserted
successfully its right to be considered the
peoples money. Nobody can read the
English papers at this time ana CON-
pare their present tone with their
tone few years ago without learning
that the full remonetization OF silver occu-
pies in the public mind of England place
very different from that which 1t occupied
ten wears ago. The British Chancellor OF
the Excheuuer talks now as N he con-
sidered it possible that even he might
learn something in regard to the expected
seryiceableness of silver by conferring
with experts in an international con-
yention called together by two or
three or more of the commercial
nations of the world. MIR. GOSHEN
has had the candor to say that If the Sill
ver-using countries-particulari france
and the United States-would undertake
To open their minis to the free coinage OF
silver then the Bank Of England would
keep in silver that portion OF its metallic
reserve which it is authorized so TO Keep
by the bank-charter act, and. further, ana
more important and more encouraging 10
us. that the East Indian Government
would pledge itself to keep open its mints
for he free coinage Of sitcer! These state
ments read to us as if they were conceS-
siops to the blmetallists. though the
monometallists in Great Britain do not
appear 10 have antagonized them. Ihey
we're made some weeks ago, but have not
lost any Of their significance by the lapse
of time. The Staist says that If America
end France are ready to treat with Eng
land on that basis an international con-
ference may be held. That paper ados
that If an invitation Is sent out by tue
limited States Government England would
hardly decline it. We quote the Stdtist:
AT the same time 1t is much TO be desired
tbat our Government should in no way do any
thing that would seem to slight or thwart inc
Government OF the United States. We all de-
sire 20 live in the most intimate and cordial reia-
lions with the people Of the United States, our
near kinsmen; and 1t would be unfortunate II on
such question we were obliged TO take up an
attitude which would seem to be offensive 10 the
United States 1t Is therefore, polite and states
manlke 10 notify the world with as little delay
as possible how far we are preparedtogo.'
Messrs. HAMBLEroS & Co., of Baltimore,
comment as follows:
cit is evident that England, Germany, and
France are better disposed to consider the SUD
tect Of n more liberal view OF silver as circu-
latiLg medium, anu tno PioSPoOs VI III '-A'S'
national conference upon the silver question IL
encouraging. The recent monetary disturbances
in Europe caused a large demand for gold, and
each country endeavored to gather together
large amount Of coin TO strengthen its reserve
only 10 discover that the process was retroactive
and that no sooner was gold drawn from one al
rection than Il was drawn away in another. Eu'
I ropean Iranciers are now considering the ques
ton whether, after I'll, there Is enough gold tc
| On around, and whether q double standard l:
| not possible. We have gone further than thi:
| in this country and have declared that the mere
;pss dirt Of the Government Is suf1lcientto main
tain gold and silver on parity. At least this Ii
| what ie amounts 70. Blmetallism can, In oul
oninion. only DO accomplished by internationa
agreement, and 1t is 10 be hoped that the efforts
| OF our Government to bring about such confer
ence may be successful, and that an interna
tional monetary basis for the two metals may be
| established"
Yes, that was said by our old monome-
| tall,st friends, Messrs. HAMBLEToy & Co.
Ii is evident that they now hold soundel
| views on the silver question than they
formerly held. Let them 60 on with the
good work of enlghtening their CORE.
spondents in their weekly circulars, and il
will not be long before the world will
have, as they phrase 1t, Ian international
| monetary basis for the two metals"
| "Truth is mighty and Will prevail"
1