Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1895-06-28

project, which soon developed into an
active intrigue, therefore stood to win
from $60O,OO0,OOO to $1,O00,O0O, 900.
Such were the circumstances that led
to the resolutions adopted by the Latin
monetary union of 1865. The original
proposition emanated from Belgium.
1t was grated upon the government
by the movement for unification OF
weights and measures, the dissemina-
ton of the metrical and decimal sys-
tens and other fads,' which were
urged throughout Europe by numer-
GUS societies with respectable and in.
fuential followings. These people
were like the fat sheep which one
sometimes sees marketed for slaughter.
Their single function in life is to look
plump and wait for the butcher. The
butcher is usually the practical politi-
clan. In this case it was the finan-
cier. But these are details upon
which we have no time to enter.
"The monetary union of 1863 was
the beginning OF that scheme OF reck-
less avidity and dark intrigue, which
in the course of a few years, destroyed
one-half of the metallic basis Of money,
plunged the commercial world into
bankruptcy and pledged it to condi-
tions commercially impossible to full
fill, and especially dangerous to en-
dure. These conditions menace the
peace of the world. l do not ask for
vengence, but for justice. Let the
fundlIolder be paid in gold. He is not
the same one who duped and betrayed
us in 1868 and 1873, but his assignee,
an innocent third party, upon whose
title there is no stain of fraud. Let
him be paid in gold and in gold only.
So far as the present fund-holders are
concerned the mischief is done, and it
cannot be equitably repaired. But as
for posterity, whose affairs we are
pinning down to the capricious and
inadequte limits OF . single metal; as
for the future stability Of contracts,
which 25 years of catastrophical expe-
rience should convince US cannot be
secured by means of gold money, I
say let us at once restore the ancient
law.
"From 1865 to 1870, the fund
holding syndicate, with whom it is
now quite evident this intrigue origi.
mated, was incessant in its operations.
Numerous conventions under its pat
ronage were held in France, Belgium
and Germany. Its influence is plain
ly discernible in the treacherous de-
fection OF certain party leaders during
the presidential election of 1868. in
the gratuitous credit.strengthening.
and the appropriation clause of Bout
wells needless 81, 500, 100000 funding
bill, and especially in that surrepti-
tious and scsndalous alteration of the
British unit code, which furnished
the example, precedent and justifica-
ton Of the analogous alteration of our
own unit code, namely, the alteration
which demonetized silver and threw
the commercial world into bank
ruptcy.
"Gentlemen OF the convention, you
have now heard the story Of this sor-
did conspiracy. 1t arose out OF the
issue OF $40 bonds and the decision
of the French court of cessation. 1t
gave rise to the Latin monetary union.
1t precipi.ated the demonetization of
silver in Germany and other States.
1t surreptitiously altered the British
code and in q similar manner and by
similar means it scandalously altered
the American mint code. 1t rewarded
all those who promoted its objects.
1t mercilessly attacked all who op-
posed them. 1t robbed this country
OF hundreds of millions. 1t influenced
its politics and still influences it.
1t has grown rich enough to lend
$15, 100000 to the Bank OF England
$50, 100000 to Italy and 5000, ,O00. .OOC
each to Austria and the United States
It controls our foreign exchanges. II
has plunged the commercial world
into a long train of disasters and
stands ready to repeat the achieve
ment.
"Do we want any more of thisi
For one, l say no; decidedly no. Lei
US put and end to it. Let us restore
the law and if anything further i:
needful let that, too, be DONE"