Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-09-04
MCKINLEY ACCEPTS
Unalterably Opposed TO Free
Coinage Of Silver.
STRONG FOR SOUND MONEY.

PROJECTION. Honest Money and Rec
IprocIty Favored by the Re.
publican Candidate for
President.
Major McKinley's letter Of acceptance was
issued Wednesday. 1t Is In part as follows:
Canton, O., Aug. 26, 1895.
/ Hon. John N. Thurston and others, mem
bers OF the notification committee OF the
Republican National Conventions;
Gentlemeni-In pursuance Of the promise
made to your committee when notified OF
my nomination as the Republican candidate
| for President. | beg to submit this formal
acceptance of that high honor, and to con-
slider In detail questions at Issue in the
pending campaign.
Perhaps this might be considered un-
necessary in view Of my remarks on that
occasion and those [ have made to delega-
tions that have yisitsd me since the st. Louis
convention; but, In view Of the momentous
importance of the proper settlement of the
issues presented on our future prosperity
and standing as n nation, and considering
only the welfare and happiness OF our peo-
| pie, / could not be content to omit again
cal ing attention to the questions which In
my opinion vitaly affect our strength and
position among the governments OF the
world, and our morality, integrity and pat
riotsm as citizens OF that republic which for
century past has been tine best hope Of
the world and the inspiration of mankind.
We must not now prove false to our own
high standards In government. nor unmind-
ful of the noble example and wise precepts
of the father, or OF the confidence and trust
which our conduct in the past has always
inspired.
The Free Coinage Of Silver.
For the first time since 1868, if ever be-
fore, there is presented to the American
people this year q clear and direct issue
az to our monetary system, OF vast impor-
tance In it's effects and upon the right
settlement OF which largely rests tho flnan-
cial honor and prosperity OF the country
1t Is proposed by one wing OF the Demo-
cratic party aud its allies, the Peoples and
Silver parties, to inaUgurate the free and
unlimited coinage of silver by indepen-
lent action on part Of the United States
at a ratio OF 16 ounces OF silver to ounce OF
gold.
The mere declaration of this purpose Is a
menace to our financial and industrial
interests, and has already created univer-
sal alarm. 1t involves great peril to the
credit and business Of the country, peril
| 80 grave that conservative men every
where are breaking away from their old
party associations and uniting with other
patriotic citizens IN emphatic protest against
the platform Of the Democratic National
Convention, as an assault upon the faith
and honor Of tho government and the
we faro Of the people. We have had few
! questions In tho lifetime of the republic
more serious than the one which is thus
presented.
OF No Benefit to Labor.
The character Of the money which shall
measure our v0,ue and exchanges and set
tic our balances with one another, and with
the nations Of the world, is Of such primary
Importance, and so far-reaching in its con-
sequences, as to call for the most painstak-
ing investigation, and, In the end, sober
and unpreiudiced judgment at the polls. We
must not he Tisled by phrases, nor deluded
by false theories.
FREQ silver would not mean that silver dol
lars were to be freely had without cost oil
labor. 1t would mean the free use of the
mints Of the United States for the few who
are owners Of silver bullion, but would make
silver coin no freer to the many who are en-
gagged in cher enterprises. 1t would not
make labor easier, the hours of labor shorter
or the pay better. 1t would not make farm
ing less laborious, or more profitable. Il
would not start factory, or make demand
for an additional days labor. 1t would Gre
ate no new occupations.
1t would add nothing to the comfort ol
the masses, the capital OF the people. or the
wealth OF the nation. 1t seeks to introduce
new measure OF value, but would add nc
value to the thing measured 1t would MOI
conserve valacs On the contrary, 1t would
derange all existing values. 1t would no
restore business confidence, but its direct ef
feet woald be to destroy the little which ye
remains.
What Free Coinage Means.
The meaning OF the coinage plank adopted
at Chicago is that anyone may take guam
tity OF silver bullion. now worth So cents, (
the mints OF the United States have it coine(
at the expense OF the government, and re
ceive for it a silver dollar, which shall b.
legal tender for the payment OF all debts
public and private.
The owner Of the silver bullion would &c
the silver dollar. 1t would belong to him
and to nobody else Other people would &c
It only by their hard labor, the products o
their land, or something OF value. The brlI
ion owner, on the basis OF present values
would receive the silver dollar for SO cents
worth OF silver, and other people would b
required to receive it as full dollar in th
payment Of debts.
The government would get nothing Trol
the transaction. II would bear the expehs
of coming the silver and the communit
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