The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-08-08
It's proper position in the United

States as a money metal"
But what is it's ''proper position?"
Why, that is the nub of the whole con-
trOversy. John Bull and Wall street
say it's proper position is the one it
now occupies-with the mints shut in
its face and the bullion worth about
fifty cents on the dollar. But what
does the Republican party of Michigan
say should be it's proper position? All,
on that point it is as silent as an
oyster. 1t is simply trying to cheat
the people.
And they will never be satisfied
they assure us,-'until silver takes it's
time-honored place, side by side with
gold, as one of the two great money
metals Of the world"
What tlme-honored place? Is it
that of England which has demone-
tized it since 1916? Or that of Ger
many which has ostracised it since
1870? Or that of the United States
which struck down the silver dollar in
1872?
"Take its place side by side with
gold" In what relation? That is the
very question. The mouse can take
its place side by side with the ele-
phant. The slave can walk side by
side with bis master. Silver. denied
the right Of coinage into dollars, may
take it's place by the side of gold, in
halves and quarters, legal tender for
debts of ten dollars only.
This whole plank is gross fraud. 1t
was concocted in the back room of
some bank; every word was weighed
and placed where it could deceive and
betray the people.
Compare it with the plank reported
by the minority of the committee, in
that Republican Michigan convention,
and roted d0ecn nth q hMr0h.
The American people, from tradition
and imperative interest, favor BIZ
metallism and the Republican party
of Michigan demands the use of both
gold and silver as standard money and
measure of values. In the name of
the producers of the country, it's farm
ers and workingmen, we declare with
out eQuivOcatiOn or reservation in IA
vOr Of wise and patriotic American
money policy that will, at the earliest
possible moment. secure to our people
the free and unlimited coinage Of all gold
and silrer, the product Of american mines,
at q ratio of to 49, and that each and
every dollar coined shall be clothed aCith
full leqal tender po,cer and be receivable IN
pd1lnent of all debts, both public and pTir-
ute. We are opposed to the issue Of in
terest- bearing bonds by the govern
ment in time of peace.
There is no mistaking what that
means. 1t is the Populist platform in
spirit and express words.
But it was urged that the plank re-
ported by the majority of the commit
tee was identically the same as that
which was adopted, not long since, at
Denver, Col, by the Republican
Leagues of the United States.
Precisely. 1t is the cunning pattern
after which the Republican party of
Minnesota modelled its platform. 1t
is a mere mess of fraud-platitudes to
cover rascality. 1t is bottomless
bog into which the prosperity Of the
people will disappear: and over it
should be erected sign-board with
these words:
"Beware Of this sink hole. 1t was
dug by the Money-Power 1t is big
enough and deep enough to engulf
peace, prosperity, national life and
civilization. 1t leads down into hell
Of anarchy and ruin for mankind.
Walk on the other side" l. ID.
Babylonian Bricks.
Excavations in Babylon have
brought to light number of bricks,
the stamps on which prove them to be
at least 1000 years old. They appear
to be as good now as when they were
first baked.
And when those bricks were made
silver was money in the world, at the
ratio of about Is to l.; and it will be
again four thousand years after the
generation of knaves that demOne.
tized it are all hung by the neck until
they are dead. i. d.