Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-07-26
FREE COINAGE.
Able Essay Read by Hon. r. L. Bond
Before Saline County EARN
ers' Alliance,

The following paper on the free coinag
OF silver at the ratio of 10 to was rea,
by the Hon. I. L. Bond before the Salin,
County Farmers Alliance, at their regular
session, June 2, 1894. Mr.. Bond, although
republican, has been constant advo
cate of the free and unlimited coinage o.
gold and silver. His paper, as q careful
psrusal will show, contains many origina
ideas on this subject, especially Of inter
est to the producing Glasses:
1--WE, the people ofthe United States, in order !,
form more perfect union, establish Justice insur,
domestic tranquility, provide for the common do
Tense, promote he general welfare, and secure Oh,
blessings OF liberty 10 ourselves and our pOsterlty
do ordAin and establish this const itution OF III,
United States Of America"
One of the prime objects of the estab
lishment of this government was the pro
motion Of the general SUelfGre. Every
question of governmental policy, whose
solution affects the general welfare, de.
mands of all the people earnest aud care.
full consideration. In a representative
form of government, the settlement of
such questions cannot be safely intrusted
to any particular class or portion of the
people; 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
to day bears more forcibly upon the gem
eral welfare than the question of our ma
tional currency. The farmer, the day
labOrer, the merchant, the lawyer, the
preacher, the doctor, the teacher, the arti-
san, the banker, all, in their daily lives, foel
the potency Of the question, What shall
the character and amount of our currency
BET If possible, this question should be-
settled by the application of well. estab-
nshed 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 AZ TO the possible results Of the
application of certain rules. II becomes
necessary, therefore, that this question
shall be settled by the people among them
SSIves upon one side or the other, and, by
a show Of numbers and declaration at
the ballot box, compel such q solution as
the majority wills.
Here, again, we meet with difficulty.
The great political parties of this nation
have divided upon other questions. Ger
tain interests, which have heretofore
been considered paramount, insist chat
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,
mon 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 tho party
organization.
The supreme Importance of this quss-
tion is daily becoming more apparent.
Its influence is felt in every avenue of life,
from tho 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-
tion clamOring loudly for recognition.
While this question makes it's impOr-
tance 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
criminated against. While the hand of
charity Is extended in this country in a
heretofore unknown, and, with mu-
nificent generosity, it showers substantial
upon hedestitute, 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
the borrowing of money, the usury
Of the pawnbroker robs him of all but the |
bare necessaries of life.
What a commentary on American oiviIi-
sation, when the philanthropy Of a Van
lerbilt is heralded from shore to shore,
because he has organized a charitable
association to loan money
10 the poor at the benevolent rate of per
sent. month.
The discussion of this question has been
attended with inex0usable bitterness. It |
8 useless to waste time denOuncing the
men who were responsible for the demon
,tizstiop Of silver, It is futile to lament
he difficulties which envelop us. The
'nly proper thing to do Is to take sdvan-
age Of the irst opportunity and settle
he question, and settle 1t right.
Temp0rizing and compromises have led
is into many difficulties. We should
march straight to the goal, swerving
leithor to the right nor to the left, and
hould never halt for moment until we
ecure the free and unlimited coinage Of
liver at the rate Of 16 to l.
We must expect to meet obstacles. The
lass which reaps the harvest from present
onditions is ever alert, ever active, ever
igilant, ever aggressive. 1t makes itself
cit in business, in society, In legislation
= everywhere. We can only hope to win
he victory by ceaseless agitation and dis
ussiOn. On the farm, in the counting
ouse, In the Office, In the store, in the
choOl, in the lecture room, on the street,
. the picnic, in the press, IN the pulpit
st the friends Of silver raise their voices
bud and clear.
Holding these views, stand ever ready
nd willing to contribute my mite to the
und Of thought gathered for the advance
lent Of this cause, and TO labor, ohoer-
ully, earnestly, and zealOusly, ain season