Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-10-08
THE PARTY OF FREE COINAGE.


An Annoying Plank In the Last Repub-
ncan National Platform.
The Republican organs are constant
ly kept busy on the defensive trying to
evade the recorded fact that when il
suited its purpose the repu blican party
was the silver party, holding up to de-
of silver coinage.
But evidence which can neither be
erased nor explained away is embodied
in the explicit plank in it's last national
platform. which declares:
The republican party is In favor OF the use OF
both gold and silver as money. and condemns
the policy of TIL d@nsocrstic administration IN Vs
eTOrts to d nsoaeti=e siicer.
In spite of this declaration, however,
it was the republican party that posed
in congress as the party to demonetize
silver. Silver is demonetized in prac-
tice when it is not received at the
minis to be coined for and in behalf OF
any citizen presenting it for that Pur-
pose. Now the party which demone-
TIED silver has legislated for virtual
free coinage and is found denouncins
the democracy as advocating what 1t
formerly denounced them for opposing.
No better example of this ridiculous
attitude of Mckinley only a few
months ago and at present, as seen in
the two following extracts from his
published speeches:
MAI. M'KINLEY AT To- MAI M'KINLEY AT
LEDo O.. FEB. 12. 1891 NILES, O., AUG. % 1891.
During all Of his The danger OF free
(Cleveland's) years at unlimited coinage has
the head of the govern been pointed out over
ment he was dishonor- and over again by lead
ing one Of our preciouSling statesmen of both
metals, one OF our owntpartfeS. The position
great products discred-lof leading republicans
iting silver and enhanc-l upon this question is
ing the price OF gold $50 well known that
He endeavored even be- need not pause to quote
fore his inaugurationlfrom them. Let me call
to ONCE to stop theiyour attention TO what
coinage of silver doll the leaders OF the dem
lars, and afterward. tocratic party who are
and to the end OF hislchief in its counSels
administration, per-Isay. No one has spoken
sistently used his pow with greater ability ION
er to that end. He was the democratic side
determined to contract than the eXpres1dent
the circulating mediumiof the United States
and demonetize one oflHon. Grover Cleveland
the coins of commerce. His letter written but
limit the volume of few months ago,
money among the peo- taken in connection
pie. make money scarce, with his former utter
and therefore dear. Heian upon this sub
would have increasedlject, shows that moth
the value of money and ing could be more dis
diminished the value astrous, in his judg
of everything else ment, to the business
money the master, Interests of the cOuDr
every thing else the try and to tie best vel
servant. fare of all the people,
than the free and uir
limited coinage Of sill
yer.
Mr.. Cleveland is thus complimente,1
in August for the position he was de-
nounced for in February before the
Ohio demagogue had fallen upon the
point he is now trying to turn to the
advantage of his party.
There is every evidence that the re-
publican leaders are trying to straddle
the currency issue as best they can.
pending a more certain knowledge OF
how the popular wind is blowing. The
late equivocal republican silver plank
in Pennsylvania is a striking case in
point. and all of Mr.. Harrison's recent
speeches when examined carefully are
found to be attempts at hedging and
lodging until the condition of the pop
ular pulse has been more clearly ascer-
tanned.
All this plainly shows that the party
now in power, so far as its leaders are
concerned. are on the fence ready to
skulk over to any position that prom
ises partisan success. Boston Globe.