The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-02-01
THE wKE1KEES WILL FAIL.

II IS not too much 10 say that our inst-
tutions are now going through the most
terrific strain that they have ever known
save only that OF the civil war. The real
contest which is now raging all over TINS
land is, at bottom. much more contest
by those who have nothing, or very llttle'
against those who are more fortunate III
respect 10 this worlds goods man
contest for a particular monetary sys-
TEN. We do not mean TO say that every
advocate of free silver is seeking TO get
his hand into his neighbor's pocket but
the great strength OF the free silver
movement lies with people VINO are III
debt, with the idle, and the visionary.
There are intelligent and honest but de-
laded. men who are In the movement Out
they are a small part of It's numbers. Inc
overwhelming majority have evil pur-
poses I'm mind. The contest is, at bottom
movement "of the outs against TIE
ms" The ncht against free silver is made
by those who have property or a payinS
business. 1t is made by the Conservative,
orderly and law-abiding elements of the
people against those who wish 10 sec
- general ovci turning Of everything, in the
hope that they may fish something out
of the wreck.
1t is quite possible that the Institutions
of this country are in greater peril now
than the pcrpetuity of the Union was
during the war The collision then be-
tween the two sections OF the country
was a most terrific one, but the section
which contendcd for the perpetuity OF the
Union was united and presented an un-
broken front There Is no united section,
however. lighting the present move Tor
disorder. Its advocates are to be found
I'm every neghborhcod, and it is not
ashamed TO rear its hOrrid front in any
presence. II is not a contest of section
against section. 1t is the strife of man
against man. and fully realizes the idea
OF civil war. If only actual blows were
being dealt
Ii Is useless TO disguise the present
strength OF the free silver PARTY in Con-
gress. We have made inquiries as to how
the incoming Congress VIII stand upon
quarters. and we get this estimate OF the
case: The November elections Indicated
as a probability that free silver would
not be as strong i'm the House OF Repre-
sentatives as it is IN the present House,
but there is necessarily good deal OF
guessing about 1t, as both parties are
playing for all the votes they can get
ond the free silver issue was leading
one in but few OF the districts in the
election. In the Senate. however 1t is
estimated that free silver viii be even
stronger after March fth than it is nov.
and majority of the present Senate Is
probably for free silver.
There IS no prospect. therefore. that
the legislative authority Of this country
Will be anti-free silver before the cleo
tons In the fall OF 1876. Meantime the
country must rcihain under its present
cloud, the attack on the standard OF
value will continue. business VIII languish
and grow worse and the country VIII
be many thousands of millions OF dollars
worse off than 1t is to-day. We take 1t
silver and bankruptcy, on the one side,
and a gold basis and prosperity on the
other. will be fought out in the Prcsi-
Dental election Of 1896. II Will then be
determined whether the United States OF
America Is 10 remain in the family OF
self-respecting nations. and moving Tor
ward to the improvement OF civilization
and the amelioration of mans hard lot
IN life, or whether IL is to take the back
track. relapse into the condition OF Hon
duras and Guatemala, lose its erecit
amongst the nations OF the world and
suffer the utter ruin 10 all prosperity
that attends degraded money. II free
silver triUmphs In 1886, that viii be our
lot. II the country. as We have the Ut
most confidence that It will do rouses
itself and stamps the pestiienCe out, our
troubles will then come TO an end.
In the meantime. however. the Govern
ment is safe and there is no danger OF
its going 10 protest. Mr. Cleveland has
unlimited authority under the present
laws to sell the Governments bonds, ana
we have his assurance that he VIII con-
tinue TO sell them as long IL is neces-
serve Of gold. The Secretary OF the