The Van Buren press., 1895-11-02
Unsafe Leaders.

an unsafe leadcr-Gasette.
The Guard IL compelled to regard any
man as an unsafe leader who leads his
people to occupy any given position and
then abandons them. Certainly .
military commander who deliberately
leads his army into q quagmire must be
considered an unsafe leader. Senator
Mills says the gold standsrd must not
now be disturbed, because every finan-
cial contract made since January 1,
1879, Is based on that standard, and to
change 1t would be to rob the creditors.
Up to three years ago, however, Senator
Mills was as strongly in favor Of chang
ing the standard as anyone. Hundreds
of our own people heard him declare in
his speech here In 1890 his hearty
approval of the free coinage Of silver,
and contracts had then been making On
the gold standard for eleven years.
Certainly the interest Of the creditor
classes were as sacred then as they are
now. This is merely an afterthought,
and q very much belated one, ct that.
It Is the sovereign right Of the people
Of this country to change their standard
Of value at any time the public interest
may demand. Especially have they the
right to change the present standard Of
value, for 1t was foisted upon them
without their knowledge or consent.
The government may not rightfully OF
properly transfer any part Of Its sover-
eign power to any class Of its people.
Least Of all can 1t bestOw upon the
creditor class the right to fasten upon
the people, for all time, q financial
standard adopted without their consent
and which works their continual
detriment. According to Senator
Mills logic, the present standard car
never be changed or amended. NJ
matter what general harm 1t works
the interest Of the creditors will always
prevent interference with It. Have thu
debtors no interests which the govern.
ment In bound to respectf It is some
thing new for Senator Mills to become
an advocate of class interests.
This same argument was the stock II
trade for years Of every advocate Of tn,
protective tariff system. It was serious
" contended that enormous capital hat
been invested in the manufacturing
industries of the country because they
were protected by the governmen
and In the full belief that the higl
tariff, levied for their express benefit
would be continued indefinitely; ant
that any reduction Of the tariff was ,
breach Of faith and a violation Of tn,
government . obligation to the owner
Of these industries. No man combattet
this absurd proposition with more vigo
or persistency than Senator Mills. Tn,
claim Of the money lenders for th,
perpetuation of the gold standard 4
l 1n1 10 t6su
the claim of the manufacturers for th,
perpetuation Of the protective tariff
No class has vested right In any legis
lation that gives them special privilege,
of enrichment at the expense Of thei
fellows. Every financial TRANSACTION
made since the establishment Of thi
government has been made with the full
knowledge that the sovereign right I,
change the standard Of value was vestet
In the the people and was liable to b.
exercised at any time public interes
should demand it. Such changes ar
not to be made lightly. but, when tn
public interest unmistakably demand
It, they should be made withou
hesitation.
Senator Mills. like Mr.. Carlisle. ha
undertaken to teach that all he has pre-
viously. taught the people ON thi
subject Is wrong. From his presen
standpoint, those who have followe'
him heretofore now find themselve
in q political quagmire. He is able I.
give no greater assurance that he l
right now than he was able to give then
The people, therefore, do not know hov
soon he may again change his position
and undertake to lead them in still
another direction. Leaders Of this kin
arc unsafe. People hesitate to follow
them because they do not know wher
they are going. They like best to follow
leaders who first make mp their mind
what is right and then follow tina
course. bravely and consistently, evel
though it require them. at times, :
take their political lives in their hand
to do so.-Batesville Guard,