The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-09-12
Mr.. WOLCOTT'S SPEECH.
THE STRONG ARG MENT OF THE
YOUNG COLORADO SPEAKER.
THE VIEWS OF THE FAR WEST.
The Views of the West Forcibly Presented by
the Brilliant Champion of Silver-A No
table Speech, One tn Studying.

w
respondence )-Senator Wolcott, of Colo
RADIO, made a magnificent speech, urging
the free coinage of silver, and, as he voices
not only the sentiment of the people OF
Colorado. but of the entire far west, there
has been quite a demand from the south
for the Congressional Record containing
his speech in full. He has given the ques-
ton as close study as any man In the
senate, and is probably as fully able to
discuss the question of coinage as any man
In the country. TO supply the demand for
his speech, the following is herewith sent
as taken from the Congressional Record:
Mr. Wolcott-Mr. President, it is said
that financial panic is invariably ac
companied or followed by widespread
ligious revival. Up to this time we are
unfortunately without that benefcent oc-
currence. The ready and complete change
of heart, however, on the financial question
which we have witnessed in this chamber
gives evidence that this is d time when
men are especially open to conviction.
And if the administration, with its petty
spOils and patronage, has been able to
make So many converts, what may we not
hope when the assurances of future happi-
ness will be, not for four short years, but
for eternity? Ihe misfortune under which
the silver men suffer is that the admins
tratlOn conversion came first. For if the
hearts of senators had first been impressed
with the littleness of the things of this
world and the glory of things supernal, the
people, who are to be the sufferers, would
not have been deserted by their representa-
tiveS.
Except as patronage may be used to affect
the action of congress-, there is no criticism
10 be made respecting the policy of the
administration. There has been much
comment upon the present attitude of the
secretary of the treasury, because while
no reDrpSpntpu u in
he was an earnest advocate of the free
coinage of silver. Such criticism is mis-
placed. He is Il member of the presidents
household, and committed to carrying out
the presidents policy. or to withdrawal
from the cabinet. The secretary of the
treasury is not the only member of the
cabinet who must have radically changed
the views of a lifetime in subordination to
those of his chief
Nor is the president of the United States
open to structure because of his message.
He had been Il consistent and persistent
opponent of silver coinage since his first
entrance into public life. There has never
been a moments doubt as to where he
stood. The platform Of his party. it is
true. declared Ill favor of silver, but the
platform meant no more to him than the
wind that blows. We of the west knew
perfectly we'll last fall that whoever of the
two candidates should be successful we
We're powerless, and that our reliance must
he placed in congress. which had already
on more than one occasion shown its will
ingness to rise above the personal wishes
of the executive
The friendship for silver expressed by
every member of each house of congress
who has spoken on this question is remark
able and unanimous. No senator in favor
of the unconditional repeal of the Sherman
act has failed to announce in solemn words
his belief in bimetallism. The statement
no SnnthIDu his conscience lint If
serves no other purpose so far as favorable
legislation is concerned. The senators who
state that they are bimetallists, but that in
TernatiOnal agreement is necessary before
we can adopt the double standard, mis-
state the proposition.
InterIn tional agreement must depend on
the attitude of Great Britain. If, then,
Great Britain consents to Il double stan
dard. they are bimetalists. If she adheres
10 gold, they are monometallists. The
policy of Great Britain, which they are
powerless to shape or 10 control. is the pol
icy they advocate. They are willing to
sacrifice not only a great region of our
country, whose resources are of infinitely
more material value 10 the east than ali
our trade with Great Britain. but the wei
fare and prosperity of every farmer and
t0iler in the land, in order that we may be
in entire accord with Great Britain in our
financial policy.
Nor are the friends of silver in the slight
est degree carried away by such utterances
as those of the senator from New York
the other day. Who is not for us is against
us. 1t would have been far more saisfac
tory if, instead of arguing IN favor of sill
yer and likewise in favor of unconditional
repeal, the senator had argued against sill
yer and then announced his intention of
voting against unconditional repeal, and
his speech would have been equally logical.
Silver has been compelled to bear every
bodys burdens for many months, and it
seems now involved in some fashion with
the democratic differences in New York
The senator from New York knows per-
fectly well that free coinage by separate
act Is impossible during the incumbency of
the present executive, and that any aSSls-
lance he may desire to render must come
now or not at all. Those who believe in
the principle of free coinage of both gold
and silver care not baWbee about the
local fights IN New York and, for my own
part | prefer an open foe who asks no quar-
ter and gives none who has been steadily
opposed TO silver and has never concealed
his views. to one who ''keeps the word of
promise to our ear, and breaks II TO our
hope"
The most remarkable and most omlnous
occurrence, however, has been the change of
front BY the senator from Indiana (Nlr.
Voorhees,, chairman of the finaHce com
mittee. For nearly a generation, in sea
son and out, he has posed as friend OF
the people. hdIg anu NdIlctl il'tNc Dtth Aic
remedies he has proposed; but until last
week, if consistent in nothing else. he has
everywhere and at all times found occasion
TO den0unce the national bank system, and
10 advocate the free coinage of silver. 1
have been examining the files of The Rec
ord for the past decade and longer, with
view of reminding the senator of the days
of which Charles Lamb wrote: those red
letter days, now become, to all lntentS and
purposes. dead-letter days.
But what is the use? The banks were
molochs and everything else that sounds
bad and wicked, and no matter what other
gentlemen might do, he would never vote
to extend their charters, or enlarge their
powers and looked forward with hope to
the time when they would be wiped out al
together He even opposed the amend
ment permitting them to issue notes up to
80 per cent of TIER bonds deposit with
the treasury. And during all these years
the senator from Indiana has been also APP
parently the unvarying friend of free coin
age. The Record contains speech after
speech In which he shows the necessity for,
and the availability Of the use of silver.
One of these speeches was delivered only
last year, since the passage of the Sherman