Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1894-07-26
FREE COINAGE.
Able Essay Read by Hon. T. L. Bond
Before Saline County Farm
ers' Alliance.

erS Allldnces
The following paper on the free coinage
of silver at the ratio of 16 to was read
by the Hon. T. L. Bond before the Saline
County Farmers Alliance, at their regular
session, June 2, 1894. Mr.. Bond, although
a republican, has been a constant advo-
cate of the free and unlimited coinage Of
gold and silver. His paper, as a careful
perusal will show, contains many original
ideas on this subject, especially Of inter
est to the producing classes:
ave, the people of the United States, in order to
form more perfect union, establish Justice, insure
domestic tranquility, provide for the common de-
Tense, promote The general welfare and secure the
blessings Of liberty TO ourselves and our posterity,
do ordain and establish this const tuition OF the
United States of America"
One of the prime objects of the estab-
lishment of this government was the pro-
motion of the general Welfare. Every
question of governmental policy, whose
solution affects the general welfare de-
mands of all the people earnest and care
full consideration. In representative
form of government, the settlement of
such questions cannot be safely intrusted
to any particular class or portion of the
peoples but each citizen, without reserve,
In the consideration of such questions,
should bring as his contribution whatever
of intelligence, information or judgment
he possesses. The time has gone by for
the masses to accept political gospel from
certain classes without question.
No question before the American people
10 IL fnrrihIu tho yan
eral welfare than the question of our ma
laborer, the merchant, the lawyer, the
san, the banker, all, in their daily lives, feel
the potency of the question, What shall
the character and amount of our currency
bei If possible, this question should be
settled by the application of we'll estab-
lished theories to the facts; but when We
come to apply the rules, we find that the
minds Of men are SO constituted that they
will differ as to the possible results of the
application of certain rules. 1t becomes
necessary, therefore, that this question
shall be settled by the people among them
selves upon one side or the other, and, by
a show of numbers and declaration at
the ballot box, compel such solution IS
the majority wills.
Here, again, we meet with difficulty.
The great political parties of this nation
have divided upon other questions. Cor
tain interests, which have heretofore
been considered paramount, insist that
other questions shall first be settled before
the public attention shall be concentrated
upon the money question. Each of the
great national parties holds, in its ranks,
men with views Numerically opposed on
this question; and every man who feels
interested in the success of his party above
all is 10th to consent to the introduction
of any question calculated to interfere
with the efficiency or solidity of the party
organization.
The supreme Importance of this ques-
ton is daily becoming more apparent.
Its influence is felt in every avenue of life,
from the cradle to the grave. Every con-
dition testifies to the necessity of its
prompt solution. In sickness or in health,
in poverty and distress or in luxury and
ease, the citizen of to day finds this ques-
ton clamoring loudly for recognition.
While this question makes its impor-
lance felt by all classes and conditions, |
there is one class to whom its correct So
luton is of the utmost importance. There |
Is homely saying, "God help the poor;
the rich can take care of themselves" This |
saying, doubtless, originated with some
one who had long contemplated the bur-
dens resting on the poor. We all know
that from birth to death the poor are dis
eliminated against. While the hand of |
charity is extended in this country in
manner heretofore unknown, and, with mu-
nifcent generosity, it showers substantial
blessings upon the destitute, he who on the
border land of independence manfully bat
ties for his rights is burdened with dis
elimination at every turn. Exorbitant
prices are charged for every article pur-
chased. When sickness or misfortune
oompels the borrowing of money, the usury
of the pawnbroker robs him of all but the
bare neoessaries of life.
What a commentary on American civil
cation, when the philanthropy of Van
derbilt is heralded from shore to shore,
because he has organized a charitable
association to loan money
to the poor at the benevolent rate of per
CENT. month.
7 he discussion of this question has been
attended with inexcusable bitterness. 1t
is useless to waste time denouncing the
men who we're responsible for the demon
citation of silver. 1t is futile to lament
the difficulties which envelop us. The
only proper thing to do is to take advan-
tage of the first opportunity and settle
the question, and settle it right.
Temporizing and compromises have led
us into many difficulties. We should
march straight to the goal, swerving
neither to the right nor to the left, and
should never halt for moment until we
secure the free and unlimited coinage of
silver at the rate of 16 to l.
We must expect to meet obstacles. The
class which resps the harvest from present
conditions is ever alert, ever active, ever
ever aggressive. 1t makes itself
felt in business, in society, in legislation
everywhere. We can only hope to win
the victory by ceaseless agitation and dis
cussion. On the farm, in the counting
house, in the Office, in the store, in the
school, in the lecture room, on the street,
at the picnic, in the press, IN The pulpit,
let the friends of silver raise their voices
loud and clear.
Holding these views, I stand ever ready
and willing to contribute my mite to the
fund of thought gathered for the advance
ment of this cause, and to labor, cheer
fully, earnestly, and zealously, in season
and out Of season." wherever there is
that my assistance may prove
serviceabie.
Much of the trouble disputants encoun-