Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-05
HERBERT ON SILVER.
Tie Secretary Of the Navy Speaks to
Alabama Democrats.
WHY BUSINESS is REvIvING.
Capitalists Perceive That the Free
silver Sentiment II Not strong
Enough to Bring the Country to
silver BASIS.

mense and enthusiastic audience at the
theatre tonight The people at his old
home, regardless of political opinions,
or differences upon the issues of the day.
assembled to do him honor. and 1t was
a great occasion.
The speaker was in excellent form and
voice, and was frequently cheered and
applauded, the name of Cleveland be-
ing received with much enthusiasm when
ever mentioned This is the Secretary's
first appearance before a Montgomery au-
dience since he went into the Cabinet.
and he was exceedingly gratitied at
his reception.
Secretary Herberts theme was silver
He expressed his thanks for the invita-
ton to participate in the debate. and for
the reception accorded him.
The question the people are con-
side ring" he said, "is whether or not
the United States Government ought
to undertake the Independent. free. and
unlimited coinage OF silver. This is. in
and of itself. the most important ques-
ton we have before us since the great
campaign of 1874. when We took issue
with the rpet-baggers. who were then
dominating our State. Even setting
economical results aside. the question
is important. on the conclusion at
which We arrive may depend the future
supremacy OF the Democratic party in
the United States for years To come.
II approach this question as a bimetal-
list: and, let me remind you of what
you already know, that / am also
Democrat. who has always worked in
harness. and | have never complained
that the party collar chafed me, or sat
uneasily on my neck.
IL am a bimetalIst because | believe
in all the gold and silver we can circu-
late at par with each other; but |
am not the friend of either OF these
metals for any sentimental reason. What
our currency shall consist OF is a ques-
ton TO be decided on business princi-
pies There is a sentimental objection
TO gold INDUCED in by some that 1t is
the money of the rich, but it does not
seem to me that this should have any
weight, because. in my opinion, the poor
man is entitled to as good money as the
rich.
"There Is a sentimental argument in
favor Of the silver dollar, because II IS
said to have been the dollar Of our
fathers 1t does not seem to me that
because it is not founded on fact. The
fair presumption is that neither your
father nor mine. nor any other mans
father. who died prior to lst ever
handled enough silver dollars to keep him
out of the poor-house.
The Secretary then plunged into
discussion Of the silver question and Of
the causes OF the recent panic and hard
times. and in conclusion, said:
DEPRECATED DOLLARS.
Il know of no more effective way
of crippling the South and its Industries
than for our people TO clamor Tor the
pgyment of debts already contracted. ana
hereafter 10 be contracted. in deprecated
silver dollars. Fortunately for this coun-
Try. the panic effects Of 1893 are rapidly
passing away. Money has begun TO now
again in its accustomed channels; wheat
has risen in price: cotton has risen In
price. iron has risen in price. industries
are rcopenlng everywhere, wages are IN
creasing. and all this comes from the
fact that capitalists of this country
who are shrewd and far-seeing. ana who
witch with keen eyes the dolnss OF every
pChtical conference, have come 10 ths
conclusion that the free-sllver sentiment
in the United Staes is not strong enough
ard not powerful enough 10 force thls
country to silver basis.
"Thcv understand that there Is no
free-silver sentiment in the EasL none IN
New England. none in New YORK none
In Maryland, none III New Jel.ey' "ol
nel.vare -Or Pennsylvania. They see
M Republicans and Democrats in the
G,ota Of Ohio have pronounced against
fre, silver; that Republicans ana Demo-
c,ots In the State Of Kentucky
have pronounced against free silver
that only parts Of the Democrats IN
tba other states of the West and South
are for free silver; and they are CON
6dent as am that the people OF the
I-nited states. whatever else may nap
pen. will pronounce for the continuance
of sound money. with the parity win
gold of every dollar Of silver ana OF
paper now anoat or to be hoated' III 'he
United States
THE WINNING SIDE.
- do not appeal to any low or selfish
motives i'm you. gentlemen, wheh
uroa Won 10 place yourselves on the
winning side OF this question; but
do urge upon you as Democrats what-
ever may be your individual opinions, as
to the adyisability OF ehacthS lree'
silver law. to range yourselves WIN
,bo controlling sentiment of the people
.f
will dominate the next administration of
our government Let ne do what we can
10 have that administration Democratic
Alabama is a Democratic State, deep
lv INTERESTED in the success OF the
marty. which, whatever else II mas
FAILED to do. has recently in Congress
ma ssed a law to leave the people OF the
United States free to manage their own
elections. and another law, making ma
terial reductions in tariff taXations' ana
,ybich has so far maintained the financiai
honor and credit OF this country. You
may divide and destroy the prospects IN
this coming campaign OF our grand oid
Marty. YOU may be instrumental In put
ting the Republicans again In power but
vou cannot force free silver upon the
neople OF the United States.
"Tha Democrats of this country have
always been for sound money. They
sustaiLed the law that Benton advocated
and Jackson approved in 1871 prefer
rino gold TO silver, because they be-
uavad in a currency that was the very
hest. they sustained Andrew Jackson's
snocie circular. because they believed
IN nancy that was the very best; they
be,ned 10 nut down the greenback craze,
nlausible as the theory was, because
thav believed that the commerce OF the
trni,ed States. which Is pushing INTO
a,,srv mort in the world. ought to be
conducted with money that will be cur
nj wherever the flag OF our country
NAV eoat: and so they will decide now
o,,r silver and our paper must De kept
,s GOOD as gold: our money must take
care NJ Itself in the forefront OF civiliza-