The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-06-07
GOV. STONE TO GOV. AI.TGELD.
silver the Most Momentous Issue since
slavery Was Killed.

Springfield. Ill. June s.-The letter writ
ten by Gov. Stone. OF Missouri in answer
TO a letter written him by GOV. Altgeid.
inviting him 10 attend the silver conven-
tion. was read TO the convention last
night. Gov. Stone expressed regret at mis-
inability 10 be present, and added.
The struggle upon which We are enter
ing is to be most momento0s and impor-
tant. involving more American people than
any which has occurred since the close OF
our civil war. The demand for the restora-
ton OF silver coinage comes from ths
common people. The people who ask this
boon are the industrial masses of tho
country Those who toll ia the field and
shop constitute the forces behind tho
movement. I do not say that all who be-
long 10 that class favor the free coinage
Of silver, but | do assert. without fear OF
sincere or intelligent contradiction. that
the demand for the silver coinage Is sup
ported by those who labor for a llyeIi-
hood-who are personally engaged In some
field Of Industrial employment. II is tho
demand Of the common people. L believe
a large majority of the American citizens
arc on that side OF the question. on thu
other hand we ind in gorgeous battle ar
ray the host of piutocraey.
II do not say. for II is not true. that
every man who flashes his sword under
the standard Of gold is "A piufocrat or that
all such are indifferent 10 the honor or
welfare of the country. But do say that
the Aggregated and concentrated wealth
of tho country-the moneyed aTistocraey--
dominates directs and controls the forces
arraved against those who are In the bat
tie for hl-rnetallsm. I DO not believe that
the ascendency Of that influence IS cai-
c,ilated 20 promote the happiness OF the
people or the weil-being Of the country.
Tor have observed no evidences OF reform
in the character and disposition OF the
money changers since Christ scourged
them from the temple.
But the power Of money IS enormous.
II exercises a stupendous influence. IL ~
vigIlanf alert. rescurcefui anq unscrhpu-
hots II can attract the brightest ana mo
most influential men 20 it's side. II can
control the great metropolitan class.
which ia the most powerful, politically.
in the republic II can dupe. contamsnais
ard debaucb every source Of powsr-fhs
r,aorIe themselves Money - hng~~'a
hesrtless. sordid. british king. The peo-
pie revolt from its suppressive and de-
basing rule. bat subjugation Is as pfooa-
hle as victory.
.s-rhe onposition is compact, confident
ars sosrrsSst1-e There viii be 40 division
in It's ranks Every effort VIII bc made 70
excite discord and dissension among US.
The reason win be found in our MIDST
and trusted leaders Will be betrayed ouF
f-reatest danger VIII be ia the lack OF CO.
So, and -o-sreration The battle 20 -
fought viii be a struggle Of giants ana "
t-,-ofves more OF veal or woe. present
ana future. 10 the American people than
any struggle which they have engaged IN
fOr a generation. In this TREMENDOUS com
-. :. q fortunate that the great state of
r1lIrots on whose bosom sleep the ashes
- tncoln and Douglas. two great cham
,.ions of the common people, shan taks
-. feos The note of cheer your gallant
rernocracy will send forth VIII stir ths
hearts ~ our people Win hole ana eoss-
- sra the fervor Of patriotism. You o.
-. - 30 most heartily congratulated
,r,. ,Sanks Of the convention were tele-
~-rarhed 20 Gov. stone