The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-08-17
Brilliant Speech OF Congressman
Bryan, OF Nebraska, for the
White Metal.
On the Action OF Congress Do
ponds the Welfare Of HUI
manity ITSELF
tion to Adopt Ctsvelands Kecom-
mondati0nA

WASHINGTON. Aug. 18. Tho financial dis
oussion in the house took on deeper inter
ess to-day than on any occasion since the
opening day Of the silver debate. William
J. Bryan. the eloquent young congressman
from Nebraska, added greater laurels to his
reputation A. an orator and made free
soinage speech which, In the opinion Of
many, surpassed the great thrift speech which
gave his name to fame two years ago. For
nesrly three hours Bryan held the inter-
ested attention of the house and galleries,
and every interruption to which he was
subjected only gave opportunities for those
brilliant bits of Tepartes for which he IL so
famous.
In opening his argument against tho un-
conditional real Of the Sherman law. Bryan
said: Upon tho action Of this congress
might depend not only the welfare Of the
south and west, not only the welfare Of the
United States. but the welfare Of humanity
itself for ages to come. II the United
States, the great silver producing country
sbandons silver. It will. in all probability.
lead to the annihilation Of silver as stan
dard money throuRhout the world. The
only law making any provision for the in
creased use of silver money il the Sherman
law. The president has recommended its
unconditional repeal. Democratic men,
bsts are under no obligation to adoSt his
recommendation. since they are responsible
to their constituents only. and are In duty
bound to protect their rights and regard
their interests.
1--WE are being dragged toward universal
gold standard. TO q realm over whose door
is written Abandon hope all ~ who enter
hsre.' There 10 no such thing as an honest
dollar. because An honest dollar would al
ways have the same purchasing power. and
the government never attempted to secure
absolute stability in . dollar. Tho most
dishonest dollar ever proposed 10 that child
of Rvarice and Ignorance called the gold
dollar. for il would constantly rise in value
and cheat the debtor. While We cannot
secure an absolutely honest dollar. We
should approach 10 a. nearly as possible.
and bimetallio standard ought to be
adopted because with bimetallism the
monev unit huctuates less than under a
single standard. International bimetallism
is desirable. but not necessary and not
upon England. EnRland's interests lie in
the direction of gold standard. TO make
our action dependent upon hers allows her
to legtslate for our people and is an abdi-
cation of the right of self-aovernment.
"We believe the restoration of the right of
free coinage as it existed previous to 1873
would raise the prios of silver bullion to
129 cents psr ounce throughout the world
and render unnecessary any change in the
present ratio. The Sherman law did not
cause our financial strinQency. The
moneyed men of the east. wishout inten-
tiop, of course. started tho ranic by exag-
geratinQ the danger of gold expectation.
When the panic came they were injured as
much 40 any body else. The trouble now is
that depositors have withdrawn their
money from fear of the banks, and the re-
peal OF the Sherman law will not increase
tho solvenoy of banks"
Then Bryan spoke in favor Of retention
of the ratio of sixteen 70 one.
Tho president was elected upon q plat
form thrice pledged to the gold and silver
coinage Of the constitution. Nine-tenths
of the people of the United States stood
ready to sustain him in tho hght but in
the face Of an enemy bold and insolent he
ordered . retreat. Let him not be dis
mayed. There is time yet to win the bat
tie II he will but order charge. Will the
party stand by tho principles of Jefferson
and jackson, or will it abandon its right to
It's name2 Will it choose life or death.
whichw Tremendous applause.
At the conclusion of the speech there
were loud cries Of Vote" and the Ne
braska orator was surrounded BY his COL
leagues congratulating him upon his great
effort,