New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-09
TINE TO BE .tMERIC1 ms.

The business men Of this greatest trading ana
al,o greatest manufacturing city in the country
have strong feeling in regard to the conilnued
purchases of silver. 1t is not confined to elthei
! party. nor to any department of industry OF
business If Democrats are at present especiaiiH
active and prominent in urging the repeal OF
the existing law. it may be considered not on
of place in view Of the fact that the enormous
Democratic ina iority in the House might be IN
nucnced but little by recommendations rom
Republican sources. But the question has rScl
above partiSan considerations ever since IL De-
came clear that Great Britain, Germany and
France had determined TO wait without actlon
until continued purchases Of silver by the United
States had secured for them great financial and
commercial opportunticS The invitation Of
the United States TO Join in efforts for the com
mon good of all nations was almost derslVe!
rejected. From that hour, in the Judgment OF
business men who care for the welfare OF their
country. il became essential to stop the pur-
chases of silver.
There are some who think it would be polit-
cally shrewd for Republicans to prevent any
action at this session, thus leaving the whole
difficulty for Mr. Cleveland and the next Con
gress to meet as best they can. This course
would be a mistake from a merely PARTISAN
standpoint. Ii is never shrewd for party TO
shirk its own responsibilities or throw away its
own opportunities Of saving the country from
harm in the hope Of catching an opposing party
at disadvantage. The tried and experienced
Republican leaders are not advising any such
course, but are urging that the welfare and the
honor Of the Nation call for n stoppage OF silver
purchases before the present session ends.
II would be mistake - suppose that the
division among Democrats regarding silver
coinage would he cleared out of the way by this
course on the contrary, the next President
would have to face far more urgent and i'm
pcrativc demand from a portion of his support
crs for Use Of silver and expansion of the cir
culation than if the present act were - remain
in force But he and his advisers arc Shrcvd
enough to see that they canno; afford 10 run any
risk of financial disturbance. To wait until the
danger has arrived would be fatal while the
calling of an extra session TO deal with danger,
vet in the distance would 10 multitudcs seem
objectionablc Broader and higher reasons than
any of party policy ought to govern the leaders
and the lawmakers Of both parties. This Is
good time t. show Europe that, when the wei
fare or honor of the Republic is involved, there
are no Republicans here and no Democrats. for
all are Americans.
1t seems % TIIL TRIBUNE that al the pro-
posal> to repeal the present law cond'uonally.
or ,ubjcc, to the discretion of the secretary
of the Treasury OF until some for
eign powers d. this or that, are
not worthy Of the dignity Of the Nation. The
people are able to trust themselves. When the
right time come. to adopt different course
they will know how to do it, The thing now
10 be done is To cease purchases which weaken
the Treasury, cndangcr the prosperity Of this
county and give foreign powers a great al
vantage for nothing To do this promptly.
without condition or dependence upon pos
siblc change Of mind by any official here or any
ruler abroad but absolutely and al once. Is the
digniiicd course for great nation. conscionS OF
it's powers and determined - guard the IN
terc>ts Of It, people