The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-13
SEATTLE, SATURDAY, JULY Ia.
DESTINED TO BE sHoRT-LrvEr

DESTINED TO BE SHORT-LTvED.
Tho advocates OF the free and unlimited
coinage of silver al the ratio of 1s to by
the United States. with or without inter-
national agreement. have inaugurated a
new movement with the hope of helping
the cause along and Il Is in the form OF n
mysterious, secret. oath-bound organiza-
ton.
There has been a persistent and system
alto spreading OF free silver literature
over the country during the past fifteen
months. There are number of bureaus
which distribute free silver tracts to seek
ers after knowledge and quite a success
ful attempt has been made. especially in
the West. to organize so-called bi-metallic
clubs In the larger cities and towns.
Not content with adopting tho custom
AIRY methods OF making an Idea popular
and educating the masses to believe In 1t.
the friends OF free coinage have hit upon
the plan OF organizing a secret society in
the interest OF the propaganda. and hope
for even better results than they have at
talned In the open. ''rhe Order of the
Supreme Temple. Silver knights OF Amer
ica." is the rather hifalutin and somewhat
top-hcavy tito bestowed at the christen-
ing. and its object as outlined in the
articles OF Incorporation is ito adopt such
rules. regulations and practices in a legal
way as may be deemed necessary for the
purpose of securing the free coinage. of
silver by the United States government"
OF course very few can expect this new
order TO have any very long-lived exis-
tence. The whole thing will turn out a
flasco. one reason being that there is at
the head OF IL Senator William NJ. Stewart.
a man who has been SO carried away by a
single idea that his name cannot now be
mentioned without causing an exchange
OF giances and a significant tapping Of
foreheads. Moreover, the Withdrawing of
great question 81 political economy from
free and open public sgitation and COM
uniting Il TO a secret societyls so ridiculous
that public laughter alone is certain TO
make most horrible record Of dead.
wounded ana missing in the ranks OF the
gallant silver knights.
People have In the past resorted 70 se-
cret organizations TO accomplish purposes
but no political movement In support OF I,
decent cause has had to resort 10 closed
doors. grips. signs and passwords Secre,
fraiernal orders have accomplished good.
but there is no record OF political party
achieving Success through secret meth
obs OF operation. However worthy any
OF the principles OF the first American
party might have been. certain Il ts tha.
any disrepute attached 70 the nar,v Wa.
occssloned by she proverblal claim OF
SITS members 10 know nothing.
There may be fascination In secrecy
ana mysteries. but any pusisc issue which
cannot hs discussed In broad davligh,
without their aid IS no, worth any serious
consideration by yhe American people. II
. cause has not sufficient strength in Il ia
stand tho test OF public exposure. eu,
must he noistered UP and pushed on BY
screened and darkroom Vaccinations. Il
can safely Re concluded that suoh a cause
II mei1tless. party may Temporarily
gain an exaggerated strength from the
fact that IS methods, rs means, Us <,~rs
and rs numbers are unknown. bat no
theory or political economy or homes,
fnane.ering can be eiuctaasei or hrourh,
60 tire favoraole attention Of a fssr-mindes
people by any cheap system of nasquer-
aiding. =
Our history shows that secret societies
have been a failure when their os,ss>,.
have been political. and i, IS not unrea~os-
able to predict that the first and las, i'm
por,ant iacsaent in connection with the
HE OF the Order Of che Supreme Tezrry,,s
r. the fling Of its articles 81 iucorpcrs sicn
In The state OF Virginia THE notice s!vea
q VIII Ne as Sigh; as the good = accom-
plsshes.