The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-08
NEVER GIVE UP THE SHIP.

The Washington Post makes the lOi-
lowing statement in regard to the Demo
cratic members Of the House Of Repre-
sentatives
Sound-money Democrats in the House
are strongly of the opinion mat stehdy
reaction rs taking place IN the rains oi
their party associates as regards Tree
coinage II may be that they Will be able
10 muster Il majority for SOUND money
should the issue be made at any time III
the ensuing session. There are 100 Demo-
cratic members, and AZ OF them are as
certained to be for sound money on an Inn
perfect canvass. A closer analysis OF thelr
relative strength would tend TO develop
an increase of anti-free silver men, they
think and possibly a majority. me most
gratifying thing In connection Win ms
showing TO the sound-money men Is the
fact that quite a number are recent con-
verts from the free-silver doctrines ana
have come over 10 stay. rms eVo!u.loh
has been going on for some time. but con
version has been facilitated by MT.
CleVeland's message. considerable num-
her of northern Democrats who would
hardly sing paeans OF praise 10 MI
Cleveland. regard his message one of the
strongest documents ever issued from me
White House and particularly so on the
retirement of the gleenDacks. one or the
leading southern members IS among most
who since the last Congress nave made
decided change of front. lie returns 10
washington. it is said. as loyal to sound
money as he was formerly 10 the ratio oil
10 TO |.
This is truly a surprising and most
gratifying statement. We have long since
come TO the conclusion that even the most
hopeless free-silver man who Is honest IS
q subject for hope. A very large body Of
men are really ignorant regarding the
science of finance, and the continued dis
years has enlightened many of them and
taught them much that they did not
know.
We were very much impressed by the
candor. and we commend il to all who re-
cant free-silver heresies, of Hon. Hoke
Smith Secretary OF the Interior, In the
speech he made TO the Georgia Legisla-
ture a week or more ago lie frankly adj
| mitted that until very short time back
| he did not know how many grains OF
! silver were in silver dollar, nor how
many grains of gold were in a gold dol
lar. and consequently he had no knowl-
| edge that amounted 10 anything of the
| questions that every one was discussing.
| But he said he found it necessary to in
form himself about this and about many
other things connected with the subject,
| II ne would know what people were talk
| ing about, and when he applied himself
| to the regular study of the case he soon
| found out the follies of free silver and
fiat money. We do not despair, therefore,
| Of any free coincr II he is only honest
| and anxious to ascertain the truth.
The uncommonly well-informed Wash
ington correspondent of the New York
| Journal OF Commerce writes his paper
that the present House OF Representa-
! lives is the strongest sound-money body
| that has assembled in the Capitol for
/ many years. and that this is true Of the
big Republican majority as well as of the
small Democratic minority. He doubts If
the advocates of the free coinage Of sill
yer at the ratio of Is TO l can muster 100
votes out OF the 1856 members. When this
| Congress was elected a year ago large
majority Of its members were for free
| coinage, but they have studied and they
have learned. Never give up the ship