The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-12

tndt James VI. Blaine was III sympathy
with their present position elicits the fol-
lowing remark from Louis A. Dent, who
was Mr.. Blaine's private secretary for
many years: IMr. Blaine's position on
the monetary question is, without any ex-
PLANTATION from his friends. plainly de-
ducible from his public policies and his
speeches and votes in congress. In De
cember. 1867, and again in 1876. he made
vigorous speeches against the PROPOSE
tons then afloat In favor of greenback and
silver imitation, and his vote against the
Bland bill should be conclusive on this
point. But evidence of later years Is still
more convincing.
"Mr Blaine believed that the gold sup
ply would fail to answer the needs OF the
worlds coinage. and he was therefore in
favor OF introducing the double standard
by international agreement, and for that
purpose he maintained an agent In Europe
during his last term as secretary whose
business 1t was to encourage, foster and
watch. the development Of the silver feel
ing The final outcome was the Brussels
conference, which failed through the oppo-
sotion of the British government. Fail
ing in an international agreement. Mr..
Blaine believed in u limited coinage OF sill
yer by the United States government.
coupled with reorganized trade relations
between the United States and the nations
of the western hemisphere. His idea was
that by the extension of our trade rcla-
tons with the American nations the silver
dollar of the United States could be made
to circulate as a monetary standard among
them. taking the place of the Mexican dol
lar so necessary to the volume of their
circulation, because being maintained at
parity by the United States 1t would not
be subject to the fluctuations of the Mex
lean dollar. Mr.. Biaines reciprocity
scheme was necessary part or this COM
prehensive plan. The extension Of trade
relations We're essential to furnish the
outlet for the silver coinage. and rectp-
rocity was the only apparent method by
which our trade on this hemisphere could
be enlarged. The success of the latter
meant the success of the coinage scheme,
| and the success of both meant the absorr-
tion Of the trade south of us, and an in
ternatiOnl confederation, with the United
States at the head, which could success
fully dictate its own terms in large meas
| ure to the older civilization of Europe, in
| time Of peace, and effectually bid defiance
| to them In case of war. AS further de-
| velopment of this plan, especially cognate
| TO the coinage question, Mr.. Blaine put
| forward in the International conference
his idea of an International silver coin fof
| America.
"As a matter of fact Mr.. Blaine was OPP
posed to the unlimited coinage OF silver by
| the United States. He held the irrevoca-
BILE opinion that this country could no,
force silver as a monetary standard alone
and single handed against the world, any
| more than Mexico. which had become
practically bankrupt in the operation. He
| did believe. however, that by concerted ac'
| ton on the part of American nations the
principle of bimetallsm could be promoted
| II not actually introduced into use the
world over. His position on the monetary
question is proven by the propositions
| advanced and the measures supported by
| him in the international conference, al
| tending to great American confederation
| Apropos to this subject I think your
readers will find very interesting the fol-
lowing letter written by Mr.. Blaine to has
| friend, Colonel Conger, during Mr.. Nc.
Kinley's campaign in 1891. Mr.. Blaine ex.
hibited in this letter. as he has done on sc
| many occasions. his great gift, the faculty
which alone indicates the statesman
| that foresight which places before tho
eye Of his mind the imminence Of pub
| lie question or the outcome of a policy
| long before 1t Is apparent or even occurs
| to the general or the individual mind In
| prophetic vein he predicted in this letter
| the position which the Democratic party
has today assumed in favor of a depre.
ciated currency. The letter follows:
"Stanwood, Bar Harbor, Me-.
September %. 1891.
Colonel A. l.. Conger, Akron, Ohio.
"My Dear Sir: Your favor received.
| cannot take part in the Ohio campaigr
this year, for many reasons which neet
| not give. But | hope that no effort vii
be spared to elect Mckinley. His victor,
at this time is very important to tn
| and Mr.. Campbell represent the homes
difference between the two parties at THU
| time. There is no lodging and no evasion
and the voter need not be deceived. Th'
| election of Mckinley means the policy o
| Protection and honest money. The elec
| ton of Campbell means free trade ant
| corruption of the currency. | believe Ohit
will stand by Mckinley. Very sincerely
yours, James q. Blame.
"AIr. Blaine's relations with Mr.. McKln.
| ley" continued Mr.. Dent "were always OF
| the most pleasant and friendly character
Much effort has been expended to make
| 1t appear that Mr.. Blaine was inimical tC
Mr. Mckinley because of his letter to Sen.
ator Frye In 1890 in which he complained
| that the Mckinley bill would not give to
| the United States market for barrel OF
| -four or a pound of pork. Mr.. Blaine's OBJ.
| lection was not to the general features OF
the bill. His complaint was against the
| ahsurdity of throwing open market fol
| $500 600 of sugar, when 1t was possible
| to gain advantages by making that market
| the subject of bargain and trade. He was
ncensed at the panicky feeling which pre-
vailed in congress on the subject of free
sugar, and which blinded SO many to the
| advantages to be gained by reciprocal ar.
| rangements on the basis of free sugar. He
made vigorous protests to both commit
| tees Of congress. and in personal inter.
views with his friends in congress, and
| finally appealed the subject to the public
| in his letter to Senator Frye, resulting ir
| the adoption of his reciprocity idea in the
compromised form proposed by the presi-
| dent. But in all the discussion there was
not the slightest personal feeling. Mr.
Blaine could not have for a moment been
so prejudiced as to hold Major Mckinley
responsible for the general opposition IN
congress to his reciprocity plan. In order
| to dispel the rumorS put forth of inimica
| feelings between them, Mr.. Blaine spoke
in the Ohio campaign that year at Can.
| ton, and again in 1891 he wrote to Colone
Conger, the above letter declining an invi
tation to speak in the campaign of Mr. Nc
Kinley for governor, letter which should
effectually repel the calumny that Mr.
| Blaine was personally hostile to Mr.. Nc.
| Kinley and did not wish him success. ir
| it ne did not state the controlling reason
| for his declination, but 1t was generally
well known to be the condition of his
health. which he was ever averse to hav.
| ing discussed in the public prints