Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1895-12-12
Free silver.

AANo phNNAf
While have underworld to mako plain
statement of tho dlsordercd condition OF our
currency and the present dangers menaclng our
prosperity and to suggest way which
lea Is to safer financial system
l have constantly had in mind tho fact that
many of my countrymcn, whose sincerity do
not doubt insist that tho euro for tho ills now
threatening us may be found In tho single and
simple remedy OF tho free coinage Of silver
They contend that our minis shall be at once
thr lwn open to tho FREQ and unlimited and
Independent coinage of both gold and silver
dollars of full legal tender quality, regardless
of tho action OF any other gov rnmont, AMI in
full view OF the fact that tho ratio between
tho metals which they suggest calls for ons
hundred cents worth Of Ii in tho gold dollar
at tho present standard and only fifty cents in
intrinsic worth of silver IN tho silver dollar
Our COuntry's indebtedness whether owing by
the governm INT or existing between individuals,
has been contracted with reference to our pos.
ent standard To decree by net Of Congress
that these debts shall DO payable In less vaun-
bic dollars than those within the contemplated
and intention OF tho parties whom contracted
would operate to transfer b. tho fat law and
without compensation, an amount of property
and a volume OF rights and interests almost In.
calculablo Those who advocate a blind and
hoadlOng plunge TO FREQ coinage in tho name OF
bimetallsm and protesting the belief con.
trary to all experience, that wo could
thus establish u double standard and a
concurrent circulation Of both metals in our
coinage are certainly reckoning from cloudy
standpoint. Our present standard OF value is
tho standard Of the civilized world and per-
mits tho only bi-motallism now possible or at
least that within tho Independent roach Of any
single nation, however powerful that nation
may be- While the value OF gold
as n standard Is stcadied by
almost universal commerci Il AMI business IL
does not despise silver nor seek IL Punishment
Wherever this standard is maintaine there ia ts
sido in free and unquestionod circulation a vol.
ume OF silyer currency sometimes equaling, and
sometimes even exceeding it in amount, both
maintained at a parity notwithstanding a de-
precation or iluctuation In the intrinsic value OF
silver.
The past IL full of lessons, teaching not only
tho economic dangers, but the national i'm.
morality that follows in tho train Of such ex-
pedient | will not believe That the American
people can be persuaded after sober dclibera-
ton, TO jeopardize their nations prestige and
proud standing by encouraging financial nos
trums, nor that they will yield 10 the false al.
luremonts Of cheap money, when they 10 lilo
that it must result In tic weakening Of that
sn our history has teen so devoodly cherished
as one OF tho traits Of true Americanism
Whatever is attempted should To entered
upon fully approaching tho fact that by care.
less, easy descent, we have reached dangerous
depth and that our ascent will not be nc
complished without laborous toll and struggle.
We shall be wise il wo realize that we arc
financially i'll and that our restoration to
health may require heroic treatment.
have ventured to express myself on these
subjects with earnestness and plainness of
speech because cannot ril m self Of the belief
that there Turks In the prop sition FOR he free
coinnge OF silver so strongly approved and
so enthusiastical y advocated by a multitude
or my cauntrymen serious menace to our pros
perity and insidious temptation OF our people
to wander from tho allegiance thy owe to,
publ; and pr vate integrity. IL is beCau | do
not distrust the good faith AMI sincerity OF
those who press this scheme that / have
imperfectly but with zeal gumbttcd my
thoughts upon this momont ,us subject.
l cannot resrain from begging them
to ro-ezamine their views and beliefs in tho
light Of patriots, reason anl fimi lar cxpsri-
enco, and TO weigh again and again tho conso.
quenc3s Of such legislation us their efforts have
invited. Even tie continued agitation Of tho
subject adds groltly to the difficulties Of
dangerous financial situation already forced
upon u.
In conclusion especially entrcat the peoples
representatives In tho Congress who are
charged with tho responsibility or inaugural.
ing measures for tho safety and pro pority Of
our common country to promptly AMI c.foc.
lively consider tho ills Of our critical financial
plighs | have suggested q remedy y hich my
judgment approves ] desire to assure the
Congress that ! am prepare to corporate with
them in perfecting any Otho- measures pr1ims.
ing thorough AMI practicl relief aud 5lat
vii gladly labor with them in every patriotic
endeayor to further tho interests and yuarl the
welfare OF our countrymen whom in our re-
socctiye places Of duty we have undertaken te
serve GROVER CLEVELAND.