Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-27
Its Advocates Not Enthusiastic Over
the Proposed Conference.
FEAR IT Is A TRICK OF TIE GOLD MEN
Free Coinage to Be the Issue in
the Next Election.
A CHANGE OF FEELING

but recently that many Of the friends of
silver were highly elated with the change
in the situation which looked promisingly
toward another International conference.
This was accepted as full of assurances Of
early success. Things coming our
way" 1t was said. Europe sees the hand
writing on the wall. The action of Ger
many shows this England will have her
eyes opened soon, and then nothing can
stoA the movement. Another conference
will mean an agreement, and silver will
once more take its proper place as a money
metal in the exchanges of the world"
Comment today, however, England hav-
ing consented to a conference, does not
show that increase in the tone of congrat-
ulation and jubilation which was naturally
to be expected. Whether it is because of
, the great size Of the winning or for the
reason that repeated disappointments have
rendered them unusually suspicious. some
of the silver men appear to be already
drawing back, and as extremely doupt1ui
of where their present course may lead
them They are cudgeling their brains
with many questions. Is this new game
of the gold bugs? Are they simply playing
for more time? Should the friends OF sii-
yer in the United States. who have made
such wonderful progress within the past
twelve months suffer themselves to be
halted in this way on the very verge Oh
still greater aCCOmpllSHINeUtS. ne COi-
ference, therefore. suddenly looms up as
danger, and much distrust is felt In several
quarters.
prominent leader in the silver move
ment a democrat, said to representative
of The Star today:
Must Not Swcrve From the Path.
I'VE shall make a serious mistake If we
permit this matter of an international con-
ference though apparently forced by the
growing power of silver. to swerve US in
the slightest in this country from the path
we have chosen. Our duty Is plain. We
have set out to rehabilitate silver without
regard to other nations. and all of our
plans and performances must be strictly
along that line. don't mean to say that
we should reject outside assistance when
offered in sincerity and in practical FORM
We desire and solicit that But We should
not be induced to stop and parley ABOUT
matters purely theoretical we contend
that this government alone can take the
initiative in returning to free coinage, and
i think we have about convinced other 'la-
tions of that fact. The result is that The
gold men. having no other card to play
and hoping for some advantage from de-
lay, are now consenting to another solemn
pow-wow. Well. let it come. But don't
let anything of Importance, so far as our
efforts are concerned, depend upon the re-
suits. We should move right along in the
dill ection of making free coinage the one
issue for 1896, and perfect our organization
with that one end in view. If, meanwhile,
silver shall have gained anything at the
conference, well and good. We can utilize
whatever 1t may be in our national cam
pa'gn. But If another disagreement should
result some action be taken tantamount
to still further postponement of the ques-
tion, then no harm would come to us.
What we should keep in view is the fact
that, with or without foreign sympathy
and cooperation. the time has come for
action.
IF the gold men, and 1 suspect them of
nod in, nyyar
matters until after next years presidential
contest, and array the two old parties
against each other again on other issues,
then the cause of silver will certainly be
lest for this century, and maybe for twenty
years of the next. The gold power has been
getting stronger after each of its victories,
and If another lease Is given it there Is no
telling how strongly it may become in
trenched."
Gold Men Suspected.
do you really suspect the gold men
abroad of helping to play this gamer was
asked.
"Why not? They have their agents and
correspondents in this country, and keep
themselves thoroughly posted as to our
affairs. Pierpont Morgan and August Bel
mont are abundantly able to point out all
advantages to their English and European
chiefs. You may depend upon 1t that the
gold power of London understands fully
as well as the gold power of New York the
Importance of blocking the way Of silver
in this country at this time. The RothS-
childs are figuring on 1896 as industriously
and as intellgently as IL they were resi-
dent voters in these United States. Their
friends in parliament, therefore, have no
objection to an international conference On
the silver question with the secret under
standing that the real object Is delay
They want. as their allies in New York
want, another national election held in
this country on issues that will enable tne
gold power to secretly dicker with both
sides as to financial legislation. A national
campaign on the finances alone would block
this game.
The gold men would then have to con-
f1ne their efforts to the side declaring for
them: and they can readily see that COM
bination of capital seeking selfish ends
would, in the present temper of the peo-
pie of this country, meet with overwhelm-
ing defeat. They might try to hide them
selves. but they would be uncovered, and
from that moment the jig would be up with
them and their friends.
Then you do not consider the news from
abroad of very great moment to the friends
of silver?'
'-That depends upon how you read 1t.
1t is very Instructive to me. When I
England asserting to an International con-
gress OIL the question of bimetalism 1 am
much encouraged. 1 can believe that the
friends of silver are making progress in
this country. And it strengthens me in
my opinion of what our future steps should
be. We should press on more actively and
aggressively than ever. We should not
halt, or even sIacken our pace, on any ac-
count. England is not trying to help US
In any way, but to hinder US. and this is
now the only way left to her. She wants
to send the case over. She Is slyly NOV
ing for a continuance. We are strong now,
and ready for trial. and she is afraid of
meeting us. Read in this light, the news
Is of the highest moment"
Want the Government TO Act.
Are you opposed to the participation by
this government in the confererGe?"
Not at all. On the contrary. I hope to see
the best men sent delegates, and full
and free discussion take place. But the
friends of silver should remember that it
is only a conference; that SO far as Eng
land Is concerned the intention Is simply
to daily and delay. and that our duty to
the cause here at home will remain un-
changed. The fight must be made next
year. whatever the result of the confer
ence may be. and the frieads of silver,
west or south, who permit themselves to
be persuaded out of this program will make
: the mistake of their lives. Our supreme
trial. of course, comes with the first f1atter-
Ing appearance of success ahead. / hope