Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-07-22
SILVER AND SPICE.
10th in This Letter from Camm Pattcr-
sou Isu.

To the Editor of the Dispatch:
We greet our new allies with respect.
out. following the example Of the noblest.
the bravest. and the best of all the
churches in the world, we take them in
as members of the free-silver party only
on probation. The polished and c)uTtly
Senator Henry Cadet Lodge and the
pOnderous but highly Intellectual Con-
gresham Thomas -. Reed. coupled
with Senators Edward O. Wolco:t, Henry
NJ. Teller. and John l.. Jones. end last,
bat not least. Senator Don Cameron.
make a respectable showing for the Re-
publican party in the advocacy of TIE
rohahilition Of one of the great master
metals II the world. These new acces-
sions to tie frce-silVor ranks, coupled with
the recent platforms of the Republican
party In Ohio and California, show the
unmistaka Die trend of public opinion
Even that fantastic party of disorganiza-
ton known as the Populist party, Is
rot without men Of signal ability who are
advocating this great measure, not the
least Of " om are jeremiah simpson,
who is certainly In part eXcusable for
dispensing, this almost intolerably hot
weather with a well-known part OF his
apparel. AMI that agile political ACROBAT
and most excellent debater. the Hon. Lafe
Pence, who finds no difficulty whatever
In advocating irredeemable paper money
al the same time that he advocates the
free coinaCe of silver. II the first part
Of his PROMO ition is correct (and l mean
no discouTGy when | state that man
who honestly advocates irredeemaple
money Is an irredeemable FOOD l cannot
see what use he has for either gold or
silver. Lest / may be brought TO task
81. a
ypec,ful sense, | here hasten to dis
tinctly disclaim II. for / have some years
since in another paper entitled The USE
fulness OF Fools" written In nigh terms
pf that large and most estimable class
Of our citizens. who are really the back
bone OF society and from whom our lead
ing men gene rally draw their support.
But / find j have dSressed more than
I intended: therefore, "Revenons a
nos moutons" | cannot refrain from
expressing my qualification at the fact
that the advocates OF the free coinage
of silver at the established ratio of 1885
to |. are daily growing in strength. one
OF the most significant signs OF the times
is the cOnvulsive fear ana tremor which
seizes tie average politician whenever
the subject Is mentioned. They have more
than once consigned II 10 the tomb OF
the capuets: but. like Banquos ghost,
n continued 10 rise. aud will not down at
81 their bidding. Political Janus-faced plat
forms have been used as political spring
boards. from which politicians have
ieaped into Office and power. but when
the office has been obtained, they have
been seized with a forsetfulness as sud
nen and inexpiicable as II they had been
dipped In the waters Of Lethe-in fact,
IL I may be allowed 10 use metaphor.
their silence Is so strong and thick on
this great subject that you might almost
cut il with a knife One gentleman-anu
he Is my fricnd--for whom i voted win
pleasure. and worked with all the ardof
OF my nature. and whose sentiments
thought / knew on this great subject, has
become so silent since his election TO
very high Office on the free coinage OF
silver that II is absolutely painful; " u
certainly extraordinary. and the time
cannot be far distant when he Will have
20 be delivered the subject. even u
81 takes the services of a political &C
coucheur. That charming after-dinner
end, indeed, every other kind OF speaker
the Hon. John Randolph Tucker. used u
say Of the Old, not the present, Su
preme Court OF Appeals OF Virginia ma
they could not be delivered OF q reall,
first-class opinion on an important sub
1ect. even though they had II I'll
graemio." without the assistance or
legal accoucheur. IN the person OF tn
late MIR. Conway Robinson. who TO
many years performed for the court tina
most valuable service. II IL 10 be hope
that the gentleman TO whom | have al
iuded Will come safely through this trying
ordeal There Is something alike hume
rous and erotesaue In the attitude OF on
public men on this subject.
THE SITUATION.
The spectacle OF nine OF our Virgni
con1ressmen including one senator. try
ing 10 sit exactly straddle the fence o
shis great question, with one longing ~