The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-07-06
WORK TODAY,

meets to-day ought TO reflect Montana,
Importance as a producer OF silver. III.
results ought to show that our peopl,
are keenly appreoiative OF the vital bear
ing Of this great industry upon tn.
states prosperity, and hat they are de
termined to enter into a long and hare
fight and stay with it until the purpose
is accomplished.
In the language Of Grover Cleveland
Two are confronted by n condition anC
not q theory" The condition, it il
needless to say, is most serious. IL il
prevails, silver mining IN this state stops;
it it is removed and silver is restored ia
it's rightful place, prosperity is assured.
The question then is to determine a
plan OF battle and a method OF equip
menS 1t is a work too long delayed.
II we had taken hold when the gold
barons were organizing and before their
lines had been built, public sentiment
in the east would not have been
strengthened by q causeless and foolish
prejudice. Apparently, we are just
awakening to the fact that silver cannot
win simply because 1t was a free money
metal from the time of Christ until
1878, and that in order to place it where
it belongs we must get off the hilltops
OF sentiment and plough into the fur
rows of public opinion. We must work
by day and by night until the people Of
n ia CnI1nfrv urn pnr<al ~ fho oo,,,a,
we must carry the standard into the
halls Of congress and win bearers, not
from the fact that We have justice on
Jul side and know it, but because we
must make others know it.
With this end in view, the silver oon-
ference IN Helena must get quickly
down to the practical side of the ques-
tion and study ways and means. Where
shall Montana begin her fight? We
say, first in thorough organization.
This is easily accomplished, but we must
act very soon. The convention should
organize a Montana state silver league,
and Immediately after returning to
their homes delegates should organize
No constitution or bylaws
are needed; simply a ringing preamble
and a set Of officers. When this is done
Montana will be ready to join her silver
sisters in the fray at a days notice.
We believe that the conference should
also propose a big silver convention to
be held at a convenient point and at an
early date, and which may include rep
resentatives from all silver sections in
the west. A Trans-M Mississippi silver
league can then be organized and thus our
interests will become solicited into one
common movement for honest treatment
at the hands of congress. Besides this
work, plans should be fixed for sending
our best citizens to Washington during
the extra session, and a full delegation
to the convention Of the Bi-Metallic
league at Chicago, August l..
These are suggestions among many
which we hope to find offered. Concern
ing resolutions which will be adopted.
have only to suggest that small space
and temperate tone be the governing
rule. It is difficult to restrain anger
when we think Of the cruel injustice
that clones our mines and throws men
and families out OF work, but it is we'll
to remember that we are to labor in a
Tar away field where the Remuneration
which we feel like expressing is not I'M
lerstood.
So then let Montana's first real work
or this cause have a telling effect. A
great deal car be done before congress
meets If we set ourselves at it.