The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-07
A POLITICAL BLUNDER.

The address of the Bimetallic League.
published in the CALL of yesterday, was
undoubtedly the most important political
document of the year. Its Importance
was due partly to the greatness of the sub
iect, partly to the skill of the argument
embodied in the address, but mainly to the
signatures attached to it. A cause becomes
great whenever great men advocate it, and
the fact that such statesman as Senator
Jones of Nevada has signed his name to
this document raises it to the rank of the
highest political manifestos of the time.
With all due credit to the document and
with all respect to those who signed it,
however, we cannot regard it as other than
political blunder The fundamental
principle upon which it is based is an error
in politics. Starting with the unquestion-
able statement that the money problem is
now the dominant issue in the United
States, 1t proceeds to argue that neither the
Republican nor the Democratic party has
taken decided stand in favor of the re-
monetization of silver and therefore new
party is Necessary to advocate the cause of
bimetallism and bring about that change
in monetary affairs which is necessary to
the welfare of the people.
Conceding the dominant importance of
the reconciliation of silver, we cannot
admit the conclusion drawn from it,
Political parties cannot be founded upon
single issue, no matter how great and far
reaching that issue may be. Many things
are TO be done by the American people in
the near future. The tariff must be re-
formed on the protective system, the
Nicaragua canal must be constructed, the
Hawaiian cable laid, American shipping
fostered and promoted, and a vigorous
foreign policy enforced in all quarters of
the globe. To whom could the people look
Tor these things if they elected Congress
pledged only to free silver? Such a Con.
gress would speedily fall into warning
factions worse even than that which has
so recently passed away, and while it
might do something to settle the monetary
issue, it might also unsettle every other
issue on which the growing welfare of the
country depends.
NO statesman nor any party is a more
earnest or steadfast advocate of silver
coinage than the CALL. Nevertheless we
can neither follow nor approve of the pro-
posed movement. There is no need of a
third party. The Republican party is firmly
pledged to bimetallism. The great leaders
OF the party have espoused that cause and
the rank and file are in hearty accord with
them. The surest and speediest way to
return to bimetallism is through the re-
turn to power of the Republican party.
At the present time every aspect of the
and every prospect of the future
promises a safe solution OF all our prob
lens by the triumphs of Republicanism.
1t is a matter of regret, therefore, that any
Republican at this iuncture should talk of
forming new party or entering upon any
untried experiments.
The way to win on this issue, as on all
other issues. is to remain true to the party
that saved the Union and maintained its
unbroker for thirty years. That
party will give US the Nicaragua canal, the
Hawaiian cable, the protective tariff,
subsidy for American ships and free silver
as WELL