Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1896-09-04
Al. WILLIAM M'K1NLEY's
letter accepting the Republican

nomination for President Of the
united States is as follows:
John NJ. Thurston and Others, Mem
ners OF the Notification Committee Of the
! republican National Convention-Gen
your committee when notified Of my nom
inatlon n as the Republican candidate for
Frcsldent, L beg to submit this formal
acceptance of that high honor and to con-
sider In detail questions at issue in the
Rendlng campaign. Perhaps this might
remarks on that occasion and those /
nave made to delegations that have vis-
1ted me since the st. Louis convention,
nut In view of the momentous Importance
OF the proper Sc Element of the issues pre-
oenleo on our future prosperity and stand
ing as nation, and considering only the
welfare and happiness of our people,
could not be content to omit again calling
attention to the questions which In my
oninion vitally affect our strength and
position among the governments of the
Morid and onr morality. integrity and put
riotism as citizens of that republic which
Ior century past has been the best hope
OF the world and the inspiration Of man
Alna- we must not now prove false to
our own high standards in government
nor unmindful of the noble example and
confidence and trust which our conduct
In the past has always inspired.
Free Coinage of Silver.
For the first time since 1868, if ever
Defore, there is presented to the Ameri-
can this year clear and direct issue as
10 our monetary system, of vast impor-
tance in its effects and upon the right set
t!emsnt of which rests largely the fnan-
q, honor and prosperity of the country.
IL IS proposed by one wing of the Demo-
cratic party and it's allies, the peoples
and silver PARTIES. to inaugurate the free
and unlimited coinage of silver by inde-
pendent action on the part of the United
States Mt ratio of sixteen ounces of sill
yer to one ounce OF gold. The mere dec
taratlon oi this purpose is IL menace to our
financial and Industrial interests and has
already c,eatcd universal alarm. 1t in
wolves great peril tn the credit and bust
ness of the rouniry-a peril so grave that
conservative men everywhere arc break
ing away from 'hcr old party associations
and uniting wifi, other patriotic citizens
IN cmplla;ic protest against the platform
ot the Democratic. national convention as
an assault u,ion thc faith and honor of the
Government and the welfare of the pco
pie. We have had few questions in the
lifetime of the republic more serious than
the one which is thus presented.
The character of the money which shall
measure our values and exchanges and
settle our balances with one another. and
with the nations of the world. is of such
primary Importance. and so far reaching
i'll it's consequences, as to call for the most
Dainstmking investigation. and i'll the end
sober and unpreiudccd Judgment al the
polls. We must not h. mislcd by phrases.
, dcludcd by false theories. Free silver
would not mean that silver dollars We're
to be freely had without cost or labor. 1t
,uld mean thr free use Of the mints of
tic United States for the few who arc
owners cf silver bullion. but would make
n silver coin no freer 10 the many who are
nj 4
not make labor easier. the hours of labor
Lhortcr or the .ny better 1t would not
inakc fa5'min:- loss lahorious or more pro
ti'ib!e. II would not start Il factory or
labor. il would create no new occnpa-
tioiis. 1t wo;id add nothing TO the COM
fort of the masses. til. capital Of the pco-
pie of thu wcA!tl, of thc natinn. y; -eeks
to Introduce Il Now measure ot vaiuc. hui
would add no val,,e to the thing measured.
1t would not conserve values. On the
contrary. i, wauld drrange all existing
values. 1t world not restore business com
tidencc. hut its direct effect world he to
destroy tine little which yet remains.
Whit 1t Means.
The mean;,. uf the coinage plank adopt
cd in Chicago is that anyone may take 81
quantity of silver bullion now worth :i3
have it coined mt the expense of the Gov
ernmcnt. and receive for II 81 silver dollar
which shall he legal tender for the pay
ment of nll debts public and private. The
owner of the silver bullion would get the
silver dollar 1t would belong to him and
it only by their labor. the products of their
land or something of value. The bullion
owner OH the basis of present values
would receive the silver dollar for ~
cents worth of silver. ami other people
would he required to receive it as Il full
dollar in the payment of debts. This
Government would get nothing from the
transaction. 1t would bear the expense
of coming the silver aud the community
would suffer loss by its use.
The Dollars Compared.
We have coined since 1878 more than
4OO.OOO.OuO of silver dollars. which are
,nnintnipcd !y the Government ut parity
the payment OF ali debts. public and pri-
yate. How are the silver dollars now in
;,se different from those which would be
in use under free coinage: They are 10
he OF the same weight and tnnncss: they
are to bear the same stamp of the Gov
ernmcr, Wi,y would they not be of the
same value! | answer: Tho silver dollars
now in use were coined OH account of
the Government and not for private a':-
couu, or gain. and the Government has
the iest dollars We have. The Govern
mcut bought the silver bullion at its mar
kct value and coined it INTO silver. Hav-
ing exclusive. control of the mntage ii
only coins what it cnn hold mt IL parity
with gold. The profit representing ,ls
Of the silver bullion and the fNcc value OF
f,r the benefit of the people. The q ."
ernment bought the silver bullion con
tanned in the silver dol.a- at very much
less than it's coinage value. 1t paid it out
i'm