Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1893-07-20
LET MERCHANTS UNITE.
New York Dry Goods Economist,

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The positive action taken By the
New York Chamber of Commerce
in opposition to the Sherman silver
law should have great weight in ins
f1uenoing public opinion and the
action of Congress, It has already
brought an improved feeling in
commercial circles, not only in this
State but throughout the country,
and the prevailing sentiment now is
that the worst is over. Dhe opin-
ion, however, presupposes that Con
gress will respect the sentiment
which demands the repeal of the
compulsory coinage law. If such
proves not to be the case, the coun-
try apparently will be brought face
to face with one Of the most serious
financial crisis in its history.
The emphatic action Of the CHAINS
Der of Commerce derives additional
consequence from the leadership of
John Clahin. No one will classify
him as a politician, or a "gold-bug,'
or a visionary theorists. Moreover,
Mr.. Clahin is exceptionally well
prepared to speak as a representa-
tive American merchant. His in
terests are thoroughly national
rather than foreign; indeed, it may
not be inaccurate to say that the bulk
of the Ciafiin trade is with the
West and South. Mr.. Claiin would
have every motive, therefore, to be
Just and fair to the mercantile in.
terests of these sections from which
the house draws so large d share of
its trade, Again, there is no one
better informed as to the financial
conditions of trade in the various
sections or better qualified therefore,
to discuss a general danger or to
suggest means of protection.
And what is trGe of Mr.. Clafin is
quite as true, also, of many Of the
mercantile public who are associated
with him in this movement
against the further coinage Of silver.
They are as hostile to- Wall street
sharks as are their fellow-merchants
in other sections, nor are they ig-
norant of the loss which accrues to
them during the interruption of
trade in any section. They are nat
urally on the side of easy money and
plenty of it, and, so far as they could,
safely, they would stimulate trade
In the newer sec ions Ct the country.
Yet, with scarcely adissenting voice,
the whole mercantile community de-
clare that the futEer compulsory
coinage of silver must be stopped,
or the gravest results will follow,
We may add that this is the voice
not simply Of New York, bat of al
most every important financial and
mercantile center III the country.
The claim that such demonstrations
rest on a deep and wicked conspir-
acY, or that they spring from q
sentimental hatred of a particular
metal, is s. childish as to be quite
beyond the reach Of reason and dis.
cussion- The merchants of the
country feel the need of a stable
currency that shall be in accord
with the monetary principles and
systems of the civilized world. A
present onf currency is or
an artificial and visionary sys.
TEN, the consequences of which.
though long postponed by the
extraordinary of this
country, are at length beginning
to show themselves in their tru,
character. The merchants of thu
country in this emergency shoule
stand together; this emergenc,
should DE of one mind. We believe
that such will prove to be the ease