Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-09-01
TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER 1. 1891.
Let Us Take Heart Of Hope.


Every intelligent patriot must watch
on ell over this country between the advo
catcs Of the gold standard or measure of
values and the advocates of the free coin
uec Of silver. So many mon. 80 many
minds. Silver has at its back the Alliance
men. the Tbird-Party men. the Peoples
party, and number Of other formidable
organizations. Gold has at ITS back nearly
all the men whose business II Is TO trade
IN money. The arguments are CO.
gent on both sides Of the question
of tho FREQ coinage of silver. Ono
of the strongest arguments which
the silverites present is the fact that the
quantity Of gold produced annually in the
world IL too small to keep pace with the
immense increase OF values due to a con-
stantly- increasing population and TO other
causes. The man who saw his prison
house constantly growing smaller, and
knew that he would soon,be built into the
edifce, may be likened to the population
end trade Of the world watching with in
tense interest the gradual contraction of
the volume Of the currency. and. unable
20 prevent the final disaster. wringing
their hands and crying out for relief to
Whatsoever or whomsover might be within
hearing.
1t 10 not certain that Mr. HARRISON
would veto silver bill. il one should pass
both houses Of Congress next winter. but
at present the probability seems to be that
he would do so. The most recent utter
nnces Of the President on this subject and
Che phase which the contest In Ohio has
assumed foreshadow the rallying Of the
Administration forces under the banner of
monometallism. Let US repeat here, how
ever what we have said heretofore on this
point. that though the Democratic House
of Representatives may attempt TO embar-
Sass the Administration by passing a
silver bill, yet the Republican SEN
ate may find means OF prevent
ing the bill from reaching the Presi-
dent. However, II the gold advocates con-
tinue to grow in confidence as they have
grown for some time past, they VIII make
the Republican party before Congress meets
q solid, compact array of monometallists.
We cannot foresee how all this is to be &C
complished. We are especially unable to
toresee how the silver senators of the Re-
publican party-the senators from the Pa
Cific and the Rocky Mountain States-are to
be won over TO the side of gold. Perhaps
they will never be won. We merely surmise
from the cards led out by leading Repub-
licans all over the Union that holder
game Is to be played by the Republican
party on the money question than 1t has
played hitherto.
The growing strength Of monometallism
In the Republican party Is an Offset to the
clamor raised everywhere by the advo-
Gates of fat greenbackism. We propose
90 keep ourselves free from entangliDg al
liances with either the one or the other of
these parties or factions.
The Messrs. HAMBLEToN & Co., Of Balti-
more. in their last weekly letter to their
correspondents publish letter from Vir-
Ginia gentleman which presents the view
taken Of the silver question by us and by
thousands of other Virginians. We all
c0ncede that TO provide for the free coin
0ge OF silver would be to try an expert
ment, but that it is an experiment worth
trying, especially in view of the probabili-
~ that we might have to accept some mea-
ture great deal more Objectionable
bhould we refuse to accede to what SO many
millions Of the American voters regard as
their reasonable demands. The Virginia
letter says that the sub-Treasury scheme
Is foolish to degree beyond utterance."
Then let US be wise to-day and kill off the
eub-Treasury scheme by adopting the free
coinage Of silver in its stead. We cannot
expect 10 have our financial views carried
out in every particular so long as there is
ON the other side of the question so intel
ligent public opinion as dominates the
various organizations extending from
Maine to Texas. holding views unlike ours.
Our doubts on the silver problem grow
out Of the fact that il is impossible to
know beforehand that the United States
would be able unassis,ed to maintain silver
ut q parity with gold. II is q great pity
that Great Britain. France. Germany, and
Austria do not take the bull by the horns
and make silver the equal of gold the
world over. There is no room for doubt
ON this point. This is some day to be the
way in which the silver problem will be
solved. The sooner the better. These
countries labor under delusion in regard
20 their ability to control the price OF sill
yer and gold-that is. to the extent neces-
cary 10 the success Of the scheme We are
advocating.
But lot us take heart of hope. The
world is growing In financial knowledge,
and will ere long be able to perceive the
difference between law Of nature and q
law Of the London. Paris. Berlin. and Vi
emma brokers and bankers.