Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-08-17

to-day than on any occasion since the
opspipg day Of the silver debate. Will
liam J. Bryan, the eloquent young Con-
gressman from Nebraska, added great
Ar laurels to his reputation as an orator
and made free coinage speech which,
in the opinion OF many surpassed the
great tariff reform speech which gave
his name to fame two years ago. For
nearly three hours Mr.. Bryan held
the interested attention OF the House
and galleries and every interruption TO
which he was subjected only gave op-
portunities FOR those brilliant repartees
for which he is so famous.
The silver discussion to-day was
opened by Mr.. Mccall (Mass.,) who
made an elaborate argument for the re-
peal OF the purchasing clause Of the
Sherman act and denied that such ac-
tion could be Justly construed as an at
tack on bi-metallism.
Mr.. Coombs, speaking TOR the repeal,
highly commended the Presidents mes
been surpassed by any State paper.
But the President might have said In
conclusion that "it is a condition and
not a theory that cOnfronts us"
MR.. BRYAN's REMARKS.
In opening mis- argument against the
unconditional repeal Of the sherman
law Mr.. BRYAN said that upon the action
OF this Congress might depend not
only the Welfare of the South and
Vest, not only the well
fare of the United States
but the welfare Of humanity Itself Tor
ages TO come. Some outside OF this
hall had assumed that the recommends
sion OF the President imposed some OBJ
legations upon Democratic members TO
do ~ ho desired, aud some even had
been hardy enOngh 20 suggest that a
failurs 70 fall in with the recommends
tions there made would subject the dis
senter 10 administrative displeasure.
But those persons did the
President great Injustice. The Pres
ideut would not for moment
forget the independence Of the
two branches Of Congress. Let the
Presidents own language rebuke those
who would from false iealty, change
their convictions upon the subject In
order 70 conform TO MS suggestions. In
the message OF 1885 10 this Congress, at
the beginning OF the first session, there
would be found these words: The
jealous watchfulhess Of our cOnstltu-
snts, great and small, supplement their
suffrages and before the tribunals they
establish every public servant should
be judged
The victory Of Charles Marte at
Tours i'm 1872 rescued Christian civiliZa-
tion and determined the course OF vic
tory for centuries The effect OF our
action may be as far reaching. If the
United States, the greatest silver pro-
ducing country, abandons silver, it will
an an probability lead 70 the annihila-
tiOn of silver as standard money
throughout the world. The only
law making any provision for the In
creased use of silver money is the Sher-
man law The President has recon-
mended its unconditional repeal. The
Democratic members
ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION
to adopt his recommendation, since
they are responsible TO their cOnstitu-
ents only, and are in duty bound TO pro-
tect their rights and regard their inter
ests. We are being dragged toward a
universal gold standsrd-to a realm
over whose door Is written; Abandon
hope all ye who enter here"
There Is no such thing as an honest
dollar, because an honest dollar would
always have the same purchasing pow
er, and the Government has never st
tempted 10 secure absolute stability in
the dollar The most dishonest dollar
ever proposed is that child OF avarice
and ignorance called the gold dollar,
for it would constantly rise In value and
cheat the debtor.
international bi-metallism is desirable
but not necessary and not prob
able. The other European nations
wait upon England, aud England's in
terests lie in the direction OF a gold
standard. To make our action depend
ent upon hers allows her to legiSlate
for our people and is an abdicatiOn Of
the right Of self government We be-
lieve that the restoration OF the right
Of free coinage as it existed previous TO
1873 would raise the price Of silver
bullion 20 l29 cents per ounce through
out the world and render unnecessary
any change 10 the present ratio. The
silver men were called cranks and
lunatics and idiots because they saw
danger ahead OF them, because in the
adoption Of a universal standard they
saw disaster not only TO our people,
BUT TO ALL THE WORLD.
The men from the West were roundly
denounced Ia the East as anarchists;
but the man who said the government
should destroy the people was called "a
patriot Applause,
Mr. uarter democrat, OhiO,) inter-
rupted with questions, and for quar-
ter OF an hour running exchange OF
wit and repartee was INDUCED in by
the two gentlemen. IL was clash Of
bright steel, aud although there was
little In the collOquY pertaining 70 the
serious question: under debate, the read
iness Of the disputants and their perfect
good humor entertained the House.
Theu Mr.. Bryan spOks 10 favor OF the
retention OF the ratio Of is 20 1, arguing
that an Increase OF that ratio would be
% "a international agree