The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1895-04-20

to disproye this free silver idea of its
cont olling influence than to quote the
following from letter by Senator
George on April IS, 1891, TO the Car
roll county alliance: "In 1860 we had
prosperity beyond all former or subse-
quent time; cotton was high 1.-THE
highest price for middling cotton be-
ing ii 5-s cents and the lowest 10
cents) and we had In circulation Sl4.06
per head Of our population. In 1891
we have low cotton, debt. depression
and yet we have S2409 In circulation.
Don't misunderstood me. do net
mean to say that, because we had
Sl4.06 per head In 1860, we had pros.
perity, aud because we had $24O9 per
head In circulation In 1891 We have
the reverse. l mean that the amount
In circulation Is not the main or pr,n-
cipal thing to look To In determining
the cause Of prosperity or the want Of
II. In our country In 1860 we had
freer tra'le than we bad had for any
considerable period for forty years.
The markets Of the world were open
to our products, our commerce. was
on every sea and penetrated every
land, almost without restriction. we
sold where we could get the highest
price. We bought where we could
buy the cheapest. This was at the
end OF fourteen years Of free trade.
There was no transfer by operation of
law Of S6S2,00O00O every year from
the farmers and laborers to the pock-
cts OF the favorites Of the government.
There were few millionaires. There
we're no paupers but the sick. the
MANNED, the insane. There was no
contrivance by law, like our protec-
tive tariff, by which the blessings OF
heaven were excluded from our favor
ed land. The people prospered in
spite Of the low circulation Of $14.06
per head. And In spite of an increase
OF $24.07, over rs per cent. per capita,
VIC have depression and debt. Il Ia
thus shown that Il Is not the want of
circulation Of money, but taxation aud
the iniquity OF the protective tariff
ihst are the main cause of our dist ress.p
II what Senator George says as to
the evil effects of protective tariff are
true, may wenot confidently hope now
that the Mckinley bill has been re-
pealcd, for return of the prosperity
portrayed by him under the low tariff
that prevailed prior to 1860?
Though should be elected Senator
inasmuch as | would not take my seat
until 1899, | may never have the op.
portunity Of participating in legisla-
tion upon the question Of free coinage
Of silver, | have endeavored to make
my views plain and hope have done
so.
The kindly consideration ehown me
SO often by the people OF Mississippi
forbids that ! should, as to matters
deemed by them of importance, have
any secrets, Or hesitate ia the least to
advise freely with them. But while l
have written at length upon this sub
ject, would not have II believed that
| regard IL as the sole or even the chief
point TO be considered by the Demo-
cratic party. That party existed be-
fore this question vexed the minds OF
the people, aud ! trust aud believe
that it will be mighty agency for
their protection long after II shall
have taken It's place among the issues
OF the past. just taxation, local self
government, free speech, liberty of the
press, economical government, equal
laws, are to be preserved If our system
Is to be maintained; aud to this end
the Democratic party demands that
those who believe In It's principles
shall not suffer themselves to be torn
apart by angry or excited discussion
OF any issue that may from time to
time arise.
j. M STONE