Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-04-25
THE PROPOSED CONVENTION.

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age of silver. The longer we reflect
upon such project, the more firmly
are we opposed to it. We have
preached the subject, moreover, to a
number of our prominent men, and
we find that they share our views.
In the first place, this matter of free
coinage is purely a national issue in
the sense that it can only be settled
by the national government. The
Democratic party is at present greatly,
if not hopelessly, divided upon it.
Our State Democracy, on the other
hand, as yet exhibits no discussions
in respect either to men or measures.
The effect of national issues cannot be
kept entirely out Of State politics.
But, as we have frequently observed
of late, it seems to us wanton folly to
force upon our party, IN the State cam
paign, the discussions which grow out
of national policies. Such would be
the effect of the proposed convention,
however it might declare itself upon
the currency question. The strongest
resolutions in favor of silver would not
even be effectual to catch stray voters,
for Mr.. Elkins is already ahead of us
there.
Again, any positive action at the
present time would be premature. The
people do not yet understand the ques
ton as they should. There has so far
been no such discussion as the import
ance of the subject demands. The
claims of silver have indeed been loud
ly presented-by defamation rather
than by argument. But its opponents
have as yet had little to say. They
are now rousing themselves from their
lethargy and from present indications
we shall have during the next year
such a discussion as will enable the
people themselves to decide the ques-
ton wisely and finally, without being
committed to policy that has been
"railroaded" through convention.
We use the term advisedly; for no one
can doubt that the interests of rival
candidates for State Offices would be
paramount in such body.
We assume herein that the people
of West Virginia propose to decide
this question for themselves and ac-
cording to their own wisdom. But If
they are willing simply to follow the
lead of the majority, the proposed con-
vention would still be premature. In
what States has Democratic majority
yet declared unequivocally for free
silver? How did avowed free silver
candidates fare in the last election,
both in the South and the West? A
convention has indeed been called in
Illinois in the interest Of silver; but
it is not unlikely that it will be con-
trolled by the other side, a conven-
ton in favor of sound money is to be
held in Memphis next month. Even
if we have no higher ambition than to
be on the winning side, would it not
be wise to await the outcome Of these
gatherings before undertaking to call
convention OF our own?
Last of all, if we consider the mat
ter purely on its own merits, and from
silver standpoint, such action would
be premature. If it would be well for
us that our own government should
coin all the silver offered at its minis
into standard dollars, it would be still
better tina THE great nations of Europe
should adopt the same policy. Every
thing indicates that such policy Is
gaining ground on the Continent. And
even in England the bimetallists
under the leadership of the conserva-
tive leader Mr.. Balfour, are reported
to be making great strides forward
All these nations, however, believe
that if we adopt free coinage alone
its effect will be to give them absolute
control of all our gold. They may bt
right or wrong about this; but it il
plain that while they entertain sucl
an idea, and believe that we are OF
the point of adopting such policy
they will refuse to take any steps il
the same direction. Every declara
ton in favor of independent free coin
age which comes from an authoritativ,
source has the inevitable effect of pre-
judicing the cause of universal bi-met
alhsm.
In one way only can the Democrat
of West Virginia arrive at wise de
cision upon this the most momentum
question that confronts US. The pres
of the State has duty to perform il
this connection which it seems as We
hardly to have appreciated The PEG