New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-16
TIE ISSUE MADE.

Mr. BANDS Silver bill has brought the silver
question and the currency question definitely be-
fore the peoIAc That is a good thrC 10 begin
with. There has been 50 much loose talk about
free coinage that it will really advance the pub
lie education on this subject to have distinctly
set forth what it is that the takers want. 10
many it comes as revelation that the zeal
anxiety of the frce-conage men Is NOT Tor more
silver in circulation, but for more paper promises
to pay. There are yet living millions OF people
who know by sad experience that paper prom
ise to pay 81 may mean much less than ~ IN
all practical uses even though it be clothed with
the power to pay debts. If debts are to be paid
in oaper worth 80 cents on the dcllar, people
who have things to sell will either charge twice
as much for them or refuse to let the holder Of
The paper create any debts. Millions know all
this who have net yet discovered that pieciS"iy
the same curse may come from deprecated
coinage.
Hence it is that the silver men insist upon
coming silver which they know will never get
into circulation. The bullion would have
value pcr ounce expressed in the money Of tho
dyirz-d world. The coined dollar would be
really worth no more than the bullion il con
,aus. now about 20 cents but there are some IN
n1ccrt, who will imagine tina, 1t must YET be
worh Just 81, because stamped. ana tha' mo
parer made cxchangCable for such CON- though
nobody will take the coin in place OF H. must
therefore be worth II also. II will be ciS-
tinct help 10 public education, moreover that inc
silver men refuse to coniine coinage to American
silver. II is an essential part OF their plan that
all the silver of other countries should be free
10 com, here, and thus 10 put more paper prom
ises into circulation.
This bill will help greatly because it contrasts
with The present law, enacted by RGpublIcals Ef
the purpcse of giving to the country such reg
Mar and limited enlargement OF the currency a.
IT,, increased population and business were he
lieyed to require, aad for the purpose of giving
n the silver-producing industry such help a.
purchases of the full quantity produced y!
American mines might be able to give. Inc
discussions this year will 60 far 70 enable voters
10 understand why it WAS hdd hy the kepub-
licau paIty that the existing law went a. lar
in that direction as the Government could saicl!
On. and that the radical difference between the
two parties is just this, that the Republican
marty. even for the sake Of success, would not
ID what il deemed unsafe, while the Democratic
party stands ready to do any unsafe thing, and
rartic-Flrly to imperil the public credit and the
soundncss of the currency, in the hope OF catch
ing votes.
1t is the belief Of some that veto OF a Free
Coinage bill would be injurious u the PIeSi-
dent If he also had that belief he would I'M
doubtodly discharge this duty nevertheless with
OFT hesitation. But no disagreement between tho
two houses no antagoni>m between parties in
either house or both, could place this issue as
clearly before the people as veto by the Pres
idcnt When President Grant vetoed the lnha-
ton bill there were men Of high POSITION ana
wide influence who thought it would ruin him.
Yet he was not mistaken in trusting the IN
tcgrity and the good sense of the people. That
act not only increased his strength many fold
but put an end to all chance Of all paper imitation
for many years This Nation is not incompetent
or unworthy to deG!e even the gIaycst question
for itself. But il needs, FROM time 10 time, the
stimulus and enlightenment Of sharp and
definite issue to compel people to think, and TO
enable them to think correctly.