The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-08-30

this most dangerous makeShift ever
known" in our financial history passed
the senate. He wanted the grave re-
sponsibility for the violation of every
sound principle of finance, which such
a measure created, to be set before the
American people by those who were
shown by the record to have assumed
it. AS a firm, unfaltering believer in
bimetallism and an undertaking support
er of the coinage and use of both gold
and silver as the standard money of the
country, without discriminating against
either metal, Mr. Voorhees, said he voted
against the passage of the Sherman act.
and for the same reason he would vote
for its repeal. The outcry in certain
quai ters at the time, that those who vote
for the repeal of this measure are enc
mics of silver as money, and in favor of
its demonetization, was not only false,
so far as he was concerned. but In the
light of what had happened in the past
ii was absurd. Beginning with the first
speech he had made in the senate, and
down TO the present hour. he could
call no vote or words on the subject of
the coinage and circulation of silver
which he would now change or blot from
the record If he could, and now in this,
the darkest days ever known for silver,
he avowed his mistaken faith that 1t
would remain forever one of the worlds
great and potential factors OF finance,
commerce. traffic and daily business
transactions. III would neltner De &c
monetized nor driven away from the
habitations Of the laboring masses of
mankind. 1t had come down from Inn
memorial ages, and would continue to
exist as one of the precious metals up
holding the credit of nations and bring
ing blessings to the sons and Daughters
of toll when the scenes through which
we are now passing had grown dim in
the light and progress Of distant CEN
tories. lie should vote to repeal the
Sherman act as he would remove dead
fly from n box of sweet ointment. as he
would abate n nuisance and wipe out
an obstruction 10 rational, wholesome
legislation. IL tainted and vitlated the
entire financial system, and destroyed
confidence I'm all business transactions
every hour it remained a part of the
law. The question had been asked
whether vote should be given for un-
conditional repeal before n substitute
should be agreed upon. lie (Mr Voor-
hees) would at once eradicate this con-
fessed evil from the body OF our laws,
with no other condition than his right
and free agency TO support ana secure
In connection with its repeal, or after
ward by an Independent measure, such
legislation as was necessary Tho prl-
mary duty OF the hour might at the
time dictate n sound financial system
embracing the coinage of silver on an
equality with gold, In making this
statement he only repeated the declara-
ton OF the Chicago platform, on which
American people restored TO the presi-
dency one of the strongest, Rblest, purcHt
and most patriotic characters ever
known 20 American history.
Mr. Voorhees,, at this point quoted
the financial plank OF the Chicago plat
form, and saying that the record did
President CleVelands letter OF accept
anee, which, he said was In no wise
modified or contradicted by the singu-
larly able message delivered "A few days
ago. lie said In four brief sentences II
contained every sound, wholesome, en-
during principle or finance ever known
I'm tho history OF the most prosperous
nation OF the earth. Who dared, In the
face OF the clear and explicit words
which he read. TO charge that their au-
thor was a monometalllst I'm disguise.
believer In the use OF gold and gold alone.
but wearing for the sake OF an election
10 the presidency, bimetallic mask.
His fearless fTankness In the expression
OF his views on all public questions,
without regard 10 their effect upon him
self, had long been conceded by friend
and foe 10 be the leading characteristic
of his mind. He had never recalled. re-
tracted or explained n single word OF
his letter OF acceptance, and IL was just
as binding as when first given To the
world. He CMr. Voorhees) was willing
10 stand or fall by his faith In the truth
and honor of Grover Cleveland. and In
his well-known fidelity to pledges when
once they were made.
A Tribute 10 Carlisle.
John c.. Carlisle was the peer In intel
lect and spotless integrity OF any Of the
illustrious statesmen who had held the
folio of finance. including Hamilton, and
he made no mistake in placing him as
a bimetallist. Said Mr.. Voorhees,, GAS
a democrat and American citizen, and
loving and believing In justice and fair
play and common sense. 1 appeal TO
those round me, and to the great body
OF the people, TO know whom We can
trust, whom we can believe at such a
time as this, IL we are to turn our backs
on such men as Grover Cleveland and
John G.. Carlisle? God help the demo-
cratic party and the country II such a
stupendous mistake is to take place."
G )ntinuing, Mr. voorhees, said that
such questions as ratio were matters
of detail. but the American people had
declared that silver should not be de-
monetized, and the contraction should
not take place on the basis OF mono
metallism. Congress would establish a
fair ratio, and neither OF the metals
would be dismissed. No efforts would
be spared to effect an international
agreement, but under no circumstances
would the laboring, debt-paying, nine
tenths Of the American people consent
TO double the debts of debtors by de-
stroying half of the constitutional
money. He would say 10 those urging
single gold standard that the people
would tear down and annihilate such
an oppressive and destructive system
OF finance should 1t ever be established
Mr.. Voorhees, here paid an eloquent
tribute TO the Western silver-producing
states. He told In glowing language
how the country had come into posses
| sion of these states, calling them 1.-THE
| treasury house of American riches
power and glory" and said that they
had been preserved to us as a trust
and blessing to the present and future
/ generations. There had been no bust
yer until after the stealthy and treach-
erous attempt to stab 1t to death I'm 1873
| He submitted to the western senators
| that the very existence and honor OF
| the true silver currency required the
| fair and legitimate coinage Of silver
| other than it's sale as bullion. Must
| we not at once and without delay get
back OF all makeshifts, subterfuges and
| insincere compromises, and stand on the
| and gold into money? What hope was
there that silver would rise from the
/ degradation inflicted upon IL by the
i Sherman act? Who In this chamber OF
elsewhere was willing for the govern
ment to remain responsible for such ar
| enactment single day longer than its
repeal was possible? II Indiana were
inlaid with silver or threaded with gold
/ he would resent any such Discrimination
and would vote for the repeal Of the
ill-omened and bad-odored act under
/ discussion.