Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1894-05-17
OLD ENGLAND AND THE SILVER
QUESTION.

The question of international bimet-
allism presents some peculiarly interest
ing features. 1t is question on which
a good deal of light may be shed by
those who have hid their goldpug prin-
ciples behind it. or by those who are
employing it to shield the Cleveland
administration from the just indigna-
ton of the public. AS the matter
stands. there are a great many dark
places in the project that need illumin-
ating.
1t is not by any means new Ques-
ton. 1t has been considered and dis
cussed from all possible points of view.
Nevertheless, at this moment and by
light of current events, it assumes an
entirely new aspect. 1t becomes
interesting by reason of the mystery
that is thrown around it. We, there
fore, appeal to the financial tories who
are making much of international
bimetallism to give the people clear
idea of the scheme.
About what time are we to expect
relief from that source? Every interest
in the country is IN crippled condition
and growing worse and worse. 1t is
absolutely essential, then, if the Euro
pean Shylocks are to dictate our fnan-
cial laws and fix our currency system
to suit themselves, to know when the
event is to occur.
But this is not all. There is another
In the nature of things, it may happen
that England will not agree to surren-
der the advantages she now has-that
her ruling class will not consent to-
forego the golden profits that are now
flowing into their pockets. Whatthen?
The American tories say that there is
no possible way to restore silver as a
part of our money standard except by
international agreement. Are we to
conclude that if England fails to recede
from a position which she has firmly
held for years, or refuses to change
conditions that she has been striving
for half century to bring about, we
are to accept these conditions and suf-
fer the attendant and inevitable losses,
merely because the financial tories have
assumed that the United States cannot
open their minis 20 the free coinage of
silver.
England;s first othci.l reply to the
petitions of the bimetallisis. since the
administration at Washington adopted
John Sherman's financial policy, is a
cOntemptuous one. The question has
of commons refused to discuss it.
There is no longer any concealment in
the matter. There is no longer any
reason why England should bave any
concealmeht in the matter. There is
no longer any reason why British inter
ests should pretend to be anxious to
increase the use of silver as a money
metal or to restore its money functions.
Having made tremendous sacrifices of
its own in India, in order to drive the
United States to the single gold stand
ard, there is no longer any reason why
the house OF commons or any other
department of the government should
engage in an effort to deceive us. Con-
sequently, when the question of BIZ
metallism is presented for discussion in
the house-the faithful commons"
more faithful to the ruling class than
to the people, incontinently kicks it
ont a06 rafncoc 70
We should think that this action of
the commons would put very large
flea in the ear of those who pretend to
believe that England is about to sur
render the fruits of the victory it has
won at tie expense of much conspir-
ing and maneuveripg. At any rate the
event that has just occurred in the
house of commons ought to open the
eyes of our own people to the futility
of any hope or belief that England is
likely to make any move that will
divert from her Golfers the constantly
increasing treasure that the single gold
standard is pouring into them.
Whatever the American tories may
say-whatever pretonce the adherents
OF John Sherman's financial policy |
may put forward-the fact remains
that the constantly increasing value of
gold is making England richer. Her
home interests are infinitely more |
powerful and important than her col |
onial interests, and it is her fixed and |
unalterabie policy to sacrifice the latter |
TO the former whenever the necessity |
arises. We have lately seen a remark
able example of that policy. Under
the stimulus of the single silver stand |
ard the manufacturing interests of |
India were rapidly taking away from
Lancashire the rich trade of the east |
The appreciation of gold was a prem |
ium to the Indian manufactures. and |
enabled them to undersell Lancashire |
in China and the markets of the east |
to just the extent of the difference |