Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1893-08-25

ali over the world Taa, was y proof that
the Government Of the United States could
do so 81 ratio % Is to !. II Europe refused
TO accept that ratio, the effect would be to
divert from Europe the trade OF every silver
producing country in the world Could
England withstand this withdrawal Of trade?
Certainly lot. Il was bimetallisn that
made the manufacturers OF England -
strong and prosperous. Western Europe
would have to come to the American stand
ard. or abandon the commerce with the
United, States and with all civilized countries
Mr. Bland here sent TO the clerks desk and
had read an extract from the report Of the
British Parliamentary COMMITTEES on Indian
currency, TO the effect that. in its opinion, =
repeal OF the Sherman purchasing act would
be followed by further depreciation in the
price OF silver. "And vet we are deliberately
asked here. he said Ito vote to bring about
a decrease of Is cents an ounce In tk. price
of silver before providing for the restoration
OF its coinage No man can defend that vote
before his constituency which Is in favor Of
free coinage"
Mr.. Bland declared that the money require
ments OF the United States with the vast
wealth. industry and energy Of its people,
were equal TO those OF England. France and
Germany combined. and that the whole
civilized world would have TO look to this
country for its future monetary supply. And
yet, said he. with vehemence I'VE are asked
here to-day to lay the bloody hand of conflsca-
satisfy the greed of England. Will Congress
do it? Will you trample down the in
terests OF your own people and destroy the
value OF one OF the precious metals, simply
to CRAFTY the greed Of Wall street u mere
agent of Lombard street, IL cannot : IL shall
not be done. Speaking for the great mass
OF the people OF the Mississippi Valley and of
the people west Of il. | say you shall not do
il. (Renewed APPLAUSE And anybody or
any party that undertakes to do it will. in
Gods name. be trampled. a. il ought 20 be,
in the dust of condemnation now and inths
future"
Coming back to the question Of the ratio
between gold and silver. and repeating the
statement that France had been able to main
tain the parity OF the two metals ell over tho
world at 1919 TO l. Mr.. Bland asserted that
there was no reason why the American ratio
of 16 to l should be changed. The average
production OF the two metals for twenty
years Cup to some four wears ago. was 1915
or 16 to 1 ; and that was, therefore, the
natural coinage ratio. But II that ratio
could not be fixed the friends of silver had
another proposition. The ratio was q fab
subject Of discussion.
In closing his argument. Mr.. Bland de-
clared that the time had come to decide
whether the country to go to bimetal
lism. He thought it the duty Of the House
Especially OF his Democratic associates) to
settle the money question and to settle il on
correct lines. Ii would not do to demOnetize
silver and then to undertake TO restore Ii
afterward. There was time enough now to
arrange it according TO the principles OF bi.
metallism. and in a manner cOnformably To
the promises of the Democratic party. ''If,'
he said in conclusion. addressing his words
particularly to Eastern Democrats, ''vou dc
not do it, yours is the responsibility, NOT
ours"