The advocate and Topeka tribune., 1892-07-27

A
stable, and sound currency, but not in dear
one. She buys but little from our farmers,
and almost nothing from our manufacturers.
Our interests are with the bimetallic Coun-
tries of Mexico, Central America, and South
America. In this great undeveloped empire
south of US ia our hope for commercial
thrift and prosperity. The Pan-American
congress, recently adjourned, was an impor-
tant step in the right direction. The trade
and commerce of this empire will be worth
millions and millions to US when developed,
and it should be captured and controlled by
US, and their medium of exchange, the sill
YER dollar, should aid US in this glad con-
summation.
But, MIR. Speaker, why should we speCu-
late or experiment in this important legis-
lation? Why not return to the plain and
simple provisions Of the law of 1873? For
almost hundred years that law served our
people patriOtically and well. 1t was en-
veloped in no doubt. Il called for no COM
promise. It rested on no conjecture like
the new and experimental plan. It was a
plain and unequiYocsl measure for free
coinage. A return to that legislation would,
IN my judgment, be wise legislation for
many reasons. It has been said that:
It would Immediately add an immense
value to all silver bullion.
II would tend to stop the general down.
ward trend Of prices.
1t would restore part of the loss that the
prices Of commodities have sustained and
which they now suffer.
II would provide currency more stable
IN value than any that at present exists.
It might, perhaps, send some of our gold
to Europe, but if 80, it would tend to raise
the price of all our products sold in that
market.
It might bring down the price Of our per
cent. bonds so that they could be bought by
the government at less than 26 per cent.
premium.
If gold should be held at premium over
silver that premium would add new and
further form of protection % in our trade
Of purchasing manufactured goods from
gold-using nations.
II would reduce the strain of the India
competition and reduce the incompatible
losses that competition every year costs our
farmers and planters.
It would raise the prices of wheat and cot
ton and prevent the enemies Of our tariff
system from persuading the people that our
losses by silver legislation result from our
tariff legislation, and thus, by misrepresen-
tation and false reasoning, weaken the pa
triotic doctrine of American protection.
It would be safe III finance; it would
be wise in politics; it would be just
to all; it would be the first firm step in
securing our manufacturing and CONNER
cial leadership among all the American
silver-using nations, our chief customers
abroad in our selling trade of manufactured
goods; it would be the quickest road to the
adoption by England of silver as full legal
tender money Rs a means of retaining hef
foreign trade, and Of preventing that trade
slipping from her hands into ours through
the silver rift.
It would lead by the shortest route to BIZ
metallism by treaty among all commercial
nations, and 30 end this disastrous money
conflict in union whose benefits would be
shared by all, and whose burdens would be
felt by none.
1t would lead to the establishment Of a
higher Justice in international, commercial
and financial affairs on basis as solid as
the mutual interests of all mankind.
Let US in spirit Of patriotism, for these
and other reasons, be done with expert
ments, and return to the legislation Of our
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