The herald., 1893-08-18
THE PROGRESS OF A MEMORABLE
DEBATE.

National regulations are being made
and jeopardized at lively rate of late.
People who have heretofore cut very
big swathe are shrinking at an unac-
countable ratio. In the house of repre-.
sentatives the men who are coming to
the fore are Pence Of Colorado, Bryan
of Nebraska and others who had never
been heard Of in the country at large
until the other day. Bland confirms
his splendid standing, which he has
carried through so many congresses.
This modest Missourian has probably
been the most useful man that has
figured in congress during the past
twenty years. He has embodied the
best expression of the American idea.
But for his skillful and indefatigable
leadership the white metal would have
been annihilated years and years ago.
He threw across the chasm the bridge
that has led us to the financial Pisgah.
Whether we shall reach the Promised
Land will depend upon the momentous
debate that is now in progress.
Whether we shall reach it or no will
turn on a number OF contingencies, one
of which. OF course, is the course which
Mr.. Cleveland may take on such action
as congress may crystalline into bill.
One thing is absolutely certain, and that
is the purchasing clause of the Sherman
act will never be repealed unless some-
thing satisfactory to the silver men OF
the United States-which means nine
tenths of the people-is substituted for
it. The silver men will rightfully de-
mand hostages from fortune before they
will concede single step to the gold
bugs. The latter have made count OF
the house and calculated on the repeal
of the Sherman act by twenty.seven ma
iority. This is very slender figure on
which to base such a momentous calcu-
lation. 1t is perfectly safe to assume
that the gold-bugs are already beaten in
the house itself when that is the most
they dare claim. The progress OF the
debate has been and will continue to be
in favor of the white meSal-the twin
money OF the constitution. The more
the subject is aired in congressional
marble halls the more clearly the fact is
disclosed that the gold-bugs are engaged
in selfish conspiracy which is intended
to sacrifice the masses in the interest OF
the classes.
In the senate there has never been
any doubt of the result. It is not in
human power to bring about an uncon-
ditional repeal of the Sherman bill in
that body. Strong originally, the posi-
ton of the friends of ailver in the senate
has been steadily strengthened. The
| changed -attitnda Senat~- -Nfee'
has been death blow to the
hopes of the partizans of unconditional
repeal. Vests attitude has been the
more significant on account of his close
personal relations with President Cleve-
land. To see Vest come out in such an
unequivocal way, and in speech ring
ing with eloeuence, in favor of free sill
yer, is something that was not looked
! for. The goldbuRs have all along failed
to make allowance for the strong senti.
ment of the American people, which
outside of New England and some OF the
Middle States, is overwhelmingly IL
favor OF the free coinage Of silver.
Wolcott, the able Colorado senator
has of course distinguished himself OF
the eide of free coinage. The heavy
gums on the Republican side of thai
body are yet to be heard from. 1t i
perfectly safe to say that when Stewar
and Jones have their say somethin
will be heard to drop in that eedate as
: | oapohlv