The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1895-04-20
THE TIMES-DEMOCRAT ON GOV, j. M
STONES FINANCIAL LETTER

The New Orleans Times Democrat,
one OF the ablest and most influential
Democratic papers in the South, with d
Mississippi circulation doubtless larger
than any other metropolitan paper, in
commenting on the financial letter OF
Gov. j. NJ. Stone TO Hon. J. r. Read
head, contains the following sound,
sensible and convincing editorial argu-
ment, which should be read and needed
by all interested on this vital ques-
tion:
1--WE give elsewhere in full a letter
from Gov. J. NJ. Stone, OF Mississippi,
on the financial question. Gov. Stone
is d candidate for the United States
Senate, and is making avery vigorous
and energetic campaign The Times
Democrat does not propose to inter-
fere in Mississippi tpOlitics as between
Democrats, for that State has able
papers, which can be depended on to
bring all Mississippi questions before
the people. The latter can be left to
select their own State official sand leg
islators. The election of United
States Senator, however, is a matter
which interests all portions of the
country, since the man elected will
legislate. for other States as we'll as
Mississippi.
On the question of their Democracy
all the candidates for this high office
stand on equal terms, and any one of
them who is elected can be depended
on to represent the Democracy Of Mis-
sissippi. 1t Is natural, therefore, that
the contest should settle on the ques-
tion of finance, which has lately
loomed up as the great issue of the day
not in Mississippi alone, but through
out the country. Many Of the politi-
clans have labored to keep it in the
background, but in vain. The people
are determined that this great problem,
upon which their future depend, shall
be solved ut the earliest possible day.
In Illinois, Senator Palmer is protesting
against the financial matter being sub
mitted to the people just now, on the
ground that it is premature, as no cleo
tions are in sight there. No such ex-
cuse can be made in Mississippi, for it's
election is close at hand. and its people
will in Il few months have IL chance to
give their views on this great question
OF finance, as we'll as on the others be-
fore them. 81
Under such circumstances it is but
natural that the senatorial campaign
should be made largely on the financial
issue. In the letter we give elsewhere
Mr.. Stone discusses it at length, and
lays his views before the people OF
Mississippi. If they share these views
they should elect him; if they do not, it
would be best for them to select at
this time some one of the candidates
whose Democracy is as unimpeachable
as that of Gov. Stone, but whose finan-
ciul views better represent the senti-
ment of Mississippi, and who may be
counted on to carry out its wishes.
. Gov. Stone declares that he rests on
the Democratic financial platform OF
1892. This is vague and unsatisfactory
for 1895. The financial question to-day
Is quite different from what it was
then. In making its silver plank at
the last presidential election the party
pursued the same policy as OF old in
framing tariff plank, which would be
equally satisfactory to extreme free
traders and extreme protectioaists.
This trick was tried successfully for
several campaigns, until the people got
tired of it and demanded from the
Democratic party Il clear enuncatlon
of its views on the tariff-and got it.
They are askingan equally clear and
definite declaration on the financial
question. Upto date we have had
panic and serious disturbances since
1892, and q vague plank, which was
enough then in getting both
gold men and bimetallists together will
not do to-day. The people of Missis-
sippi waot something more recent ana
more definite than the utterances OF
1892. The victory Of that year was
not won on this issue, but on the tariff.
The financial clause attracted little at
tention. and the action of the people
in electing Mr.. Cleveland cannot by
anv reasoning be considered as a declar'
alton of their support OF the vague
financial plank of the platform, and as
nledging them to make no demands
Tor financial Legislation in the next
four years.
Gov. Stone declares himself a bi.
and regrets ''the blunder OF
crime" the genuine bi-
call it-by which silver was
demonetized. He is lone OF those
bimetallists, however, who have lately
snrnne into existence who declare for
bimetallism theoretically, but who are
MOI willing to take any: steps to bring
h about or to try and force the finan'
cial question to an issue. ut Is only
a question Of time,' says Gov. Stone,
when all commercial nations will re-
verse the blunder of 1873, and return
to silver free coinage and the use OF
silver as a standard money"
This single statement condemns all
The rest of Gov. Stones argument. II
he free coinage of silver is right, II
silver should be standard money, II
its demonetization in 1873 was blum
ler h (or worse, a crime, the United
States should insist upon q return to
all these conditions at once, should in
,ist upon free silver coinage. Why
should we wait on others before right
Inr a blunder? Why should we delay
ioing what we know to be righty Why