New-York tribune., 1896-01-13
SENATOR'S WHO THREATEN.

Soma silvor Senators are threatening a step
which would do more to eXterminate 1ree silver
sentiment than everybody else has been apie 10
do in twenty years Of agitation. They wouid
blunder If they should regard this statement rs
in any sense threat. for 1t Is as dispassionate
as a coast survey map or multiplication 'aDe'
II is simply impossible TO steer ship drawing
twenty feet across six-foot shoal, and II Is
couolly impossible for an industry employing
40 900 men TO make war without rreparablc loss
on industries employing 1OO0oooo men. Inc
very essence of free government Is that majori-
ties shall not be deprived Of their rights or de-
fca,ed in their wishes by legislative methods
nkin to those of the foopad. If any attempt "I
,hot sort is made the sentiment Of the millions
about it are likely TO be manifested as long aS
any man participating therein remains in puDlc
life
When agitation for free coinage OF silver De-
gan, there was a most kindly disposition IN the
older States 10 go as far In the direction OF IN
creased monetary use Of silver as men coulu
90 with safety. But step by step. and year afte'
wear. the leaning in that direction has diminished
In the older States. both North and South. ana
no other thing has done so much to uproot
il as the disposition OF silvc" men 10 make
every other interest in all the country suDor-
dinate TO their own. 1t is not doubted that the!
are sincere III supposing all other interests III IL
measure dependent on the monetary theories
they advocate But the majority does not holn
70 those theories. and claims the right to regr-
late LEGISLATION an other subjects IN accordance
with its convictions. and with the principles OF
free government The silver men. finding that
they are beaten In the States where they were
formerly unresisted, that the majority in the
nonular branch Of Congress is turning more de-
cidedly against them, and that their power In
tho Senate also seems likely to wane. now show
n dispositon TO stop necessary legislation for the
public safety and welfare unless they can have
their way. But this is making war upon the
fundamental principles on which free govern
ment rests
States in which this disposition is manifested
nav TO the support Of the Government compara-
lively little. They receive from disbursements
Of Government in development of roads. carrying
mails, erection and maintenance of public build
ings. and various other ways. considerably more
than their proportion OF the total expenditure
according to population. They have succeeded
in getting the Government TO pay out. within the
last eighteen years much more than SiOO'OU,V~
for n product Of the mines which lies unused IN
the Treasury No other industry, no other group
OF States. has received anything Ike as much
favor at the hands OF the Government and 1t
would not be at all wise for these States TO in
spire older and more popuous communities with
a determination to adjust the benefits and eX-
penditures Of Government in future more nearly
in accordance with population. The fact that
such DISPOSITION has not been shown, nor have
the silver producers lacked hearty consideration
elsewhere for their industry, does not seem TO be
q good reason for declaring war against indus
tries and interests which are necessary to the
prosperity alike Of the newer States and OF the
older
Public feeling in the older States does not yet
incline to consider what steps could be taken to
resist such injustice. 1t looks confidently for
such an expression OF better and more Just
temper in silver States as may influence their
Senator's 10 act upon all questions with due re-
gard for the welfare Of the whole people, and
with q proper regard for the rights Of people
under self government. But resentment would
not be long in appearing if. with most urgent
reason, both in foreign relations and in neccs
stiles Of the Government for a different revenue
law action should be unduly delayed in order to
compel Congress to take on the silver question a
step which all know must be unavaillng.