Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-17
occasional references to his notes, 6
dressed the convention.
MIR. FAIRBANKS,S REMARKS.

OF the Republican party with that OF the
Democratic party. as viewed from the
standpoint OF a protectionist Incidental
TO this discussion, Mr.. Fairbanks made
the assertion that the Republican party
had made sound money. and that II had
also made an honest, protective tariff to
90 with II. Sound money and an honest
protective tariff" he said. "go hand in
hand-not one before the other.
The Republican party has not been un-
friendly 10 the proper use Of silver. IL
mas always favored, and favors to-day
the use OF silver as a part Of our circu-
lating medium. But II f1vors that use
under such provisions and -1feguards as
shall not impair the pre- national
standard. The policy OF IT, Republican
party Is 10 retain both gold and silver as
a part Of our circulating medium. while
the policy Of free-coinage Of silver leads
TO certain silver mOnometallism. IL Is an
lmmutable law that two moneys Of un-
equal value Will not circulate together
and that the poorer always drives out the
better.
"The Republican party. desiring fairly TO
secure large use Of silver. pledged itself
IN favor Of an international agreement
Harrison. true 10 the pledge OF the party.
took the initiatory steps, and invited an
International monetary conference at
Brussels. at which the true object Of an
international coinage agreement was abiy
ana prohtably discussed. The Democratic
ia ~ WIS also toiHIiltlel 10 lNleINdilolitl
bimetallism, but when IL came into power
the work which had been so auspiciously
begun By the Republican party was aban-
doned. II was so absorbed In its efforts
10 break down the Mckinley law and
empty the Treasury that Il had not time
TO promote international bimetallism.
INDEPENDENT FREE COINAGE.
Those who profess 10 believe that this
government can. independently Of the
other great commercial Powers. open us
mints 20 the free and independent coinage
OF silver at a ratio Of rs TO J. when the
commercial ratio In all the great markets
is 30 10 /. and at the same time not drive
every dollar Of gold out Of circulation, but
deceive themselves.
Great and splendid and powerful as
our government is. IL cannot accomplish
the impossible. 1t cannot create value.
1t has not the alchcmists subtle art of
| transmitting unlimited silver into gold.
Nor can it by OmnpOtent fat make %
cents worth 100 cents. As well undertake
by resolution Of Congress TO suspend
the laws Of gravitatiOn as attempt TO
compel an unlimited number or lD-ccnt
dollars TO circulate with l00-cent dollars
at a parity with each other. An at
tempt 20 compel unlimited dollars Of such
unequal value to- circulate al parity Is
bad I'm morals and Is vicious I'm politics.
Sound thinkers on the great question OF
currency know from the beginning Of
the experiment how mtserably and GER
tainly IL would fail The commerce or
the country would be again thrown upon
the sea Of uncertainty, and the spectre OF
want would continue for years 10 haunt
us
Upon opening our mints 10 the indie
pendent free coinage of silver. foreign
GREATS would be greatly curtailed. More
than this, there would be certain ana
sudden contraction OF our currency by
the expulsion Of $500, 900 600 OF gold, and
our paper and silver currency would i'm
/ stantly and greatly depreciate m pur-
chasing power But one result could fol-
low this: enterprise would be further em-
| barrassed: business Generalization would
be increased. and still further and serious
injury would be inflicted upon the
laborers. the farmers. the merchants,
and all those whose welfare depends upon
a wholesome currency.
"a change from the present standard
10 the low silver standard would cut down
the recompense Of labor. and reduce the
value OF the savings IN savings banks
and building and loan associations;
salaries and incomes would shrink, pen
sions would be cut in two; me beheh-
Charles OF life insurance would surfer, IN
short the injury would be 50 uuNersdi
and far-reaching that a radical change
can be contemplated only with the sraVest
apprehension.
SOUND CURRENCY ESSENTIAL.
"A sound currency is one OF the es-
sential instruments in developing our
commerce IL Is the purpose or the ke-
publican party not only TO develop our
domestic trade. but 60 extend our COM
merce into the uttermost parts OF the
earth. We should not begin our contest
for commercial supremacy by destroying
our currency standard. All the leading
powers with which we must compete sus-
pended the free coinage OF silver When
the increased production OF SILVER forced
the commercial ratio above the coinage
ratio of gold Shall We ignore their
ripened experience shall we attempt
what they have found utterly impossilNe
Shall IL be said that our standard Is
below theirs? You cannot build pros
perity upOn a base of fiuctuating cur
rency. As well undertake 10 build upon
the changing sands OF the sea.
"A sound currency defrauds no one II
is good alike in the hands Of the employee
and the employer the laborer ana the
capitalist Upon faith In It's WORTH us
stability. we go forward planning Tor the
future The capitalist erects his factories
ACQUIRES his materials, employs ms aru-
sans. mechanics and laborers. lie is con-
fdent that his margin Will not be swept
away-by fluctuations in the currency. Ihe
laborer knows that the money earned by
his toll is honest as his toll. ana Is un-
questioned in its purchasing power. lie
likewise knows that 10 requires as much
labor to earn a poor dollar as a good one;
and ne also knows that II poor money II
abroad ii surely finds its way into his
I'VE protest against a lower standard
D
the Democratic attempt 10 degrade our
currency TO the low level or Mexico,
China. India. and japan. The present
high standard Of our currency, our honor.
ana our flag will be sacredly protected
and preserved by the Republican party.
TRADE RECIPROCITY, &C.
uThere are many and important ques-
tions recurring the enlightened and patrl-
otic Judgment Of the Republican party.
A Pan-American commercial alliance was
conceived by James @. Blaine, ana the
highest motives OF sell-lhteteSt Ielulie
us to accC mplish what he so well begun.
"The Monroe doctrine must be firmly
upheld. and the Powers Of the earth made
! to respect this great, though un"Iltten
law. There can be no further territorial
/ ACKNOWLEDGMENT by foreign governments
on the western continent
"Our devotion 10 the pensioners OF the
nation was never more emphatic nor more
earnest than now
"The Republican party believes IN the
| development OF our navy ana merchant
marine until we establish our undisputed
supremacy upon the high seas
.'The struggle for Cuban liberty enlists
the ardent sympathy Of the Republican
party-a party which has given TO liberty
! its fullest meaning on this Continent We
| wish to see a new republic born on cuban
soil: greet the country whose dawn Is al
ready purpling the east
CAMPAIGN ISSUES.
"My friends, the campaign OF 1886 is
upon us. The great questions for debate
| i'm the august forum Of the United States
are free trade and free silver against a
protective tariff and sound money. As we
| regard our hopes and our honor. our hap
piness and prosperity, and the future
| power and majesty Of the republic. let
| ns dedicate ourselves to the restoration Of
a protective tariff, which shall be genu-
| inely American. and 10 the maintenance
| of an honest standard Of value, with
which TO measure the exchanges OF the
people.
* distinguished Republican has said
that the supreme desire Of the American
people is for an honest currency and
| chance to earn il by honest toll "