Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1896-08-22

is greater than the supply of both. the
relative production becomes immaterial
IF 1t Is asserted by our opponents that
the free coinage of silver is intended only
for the benefit of the mine owners, 1t
must be remembered that free coinage
cannot benefit the mine owner any more
than decentralization took away; and 1t
must also be remembered that the loss
decentralization has brought to mine own
ers is insignificant compared with the
loss which this policy has brought to the
rest of the people.
Those who believe that the restoration
of silver is needed by the people should
not be deferred because an incidental
benefit will come to the mine owner. The
construction of forts. the deepening CT
harbors, the Improvement of rivers, the
erection of public buildings-all these con-
fer benefits upon individuals and commu-
mites. and yet these incidental benefits
DO not deter us from making appropria-
/ tons for these purposes wherever 1t hap
| pens to be necessary for the public good.
We are told that the restoration of BIZ
| metalism would be d hardship upon
! those who have entered into contracts
! payable in gold coin, but this is mis-
take. IT will be easier TO obtain the
| gold with which to meet a gold contract
when .dost Of the people can use silver,
than it is now when every one Is trying
to secure gold. The Chicago platform eX-
pressly declares in favor of such egis-
lation as may be necessary to prevent for
! the future decentralization OF any KIM
Of legal tender money by private con
tract.
"In conclusion permit me to say word
In regard to international bimetallism.
We are not opposed to all international
agreement lookins 10 the restoration of
bmetallism throughout the world. The
advocates of free coinage have on all oc-
casions, shown their willingness to CO
operate with other nations in the 1e-
instatement OF silver, but they are not
willing to await the pleasure Of any other
government when Immediate relief LIS
needed by the people of the United States,
and they further believe that the nde-
pendent action of the United States will
be the better assurance of international
! bimetallism than serVile dependence upon
foreign aid.
For more than 20 years we have In
vited the assistance of European nations,
but any progress in the direction or IN
ternational bimetallism has been blocked
by the opposition OF those who derive
: pecuniary benefit from the appreciation
of gold. For a people blessed with the
our natural resources to proclaim them
selves impotent to frame a financial sys-
] tenn suited to their needs is humiliating
: beyond the power of language to de-
scribe. We cannot enforce respect for
our foreign policy long as we confess
ourselves unable to frame our own imam
cial policy.
"A few of the people may prosper UNI
der such conditions, but the permanent
welfare Of New York rests upon the pro-
ducers OF wealth. This great city is built
on the commerce of the nation, and must
suffer if that commerce is impaired. You
can not sell unless the people have money
with which to buy, and they can not
obtain that money unless they are able
to sell their products at remuneratfVe
prices. Production OF wealth goes be
fore the exchange for wealth. Those
who cheat must secure a profit before
they have anything to share with 9TH
ers You can not afford to join the
money chiefs in support Of a financial
policy which destroys the purchasing
power of the products of the tOlers. and
must in the end discourage the saving
of wealth
II ask, l expect your cooperation 1t
is true that few of our financiers would
fashion a new figure, a figure represent
| ing Columbia with her hands bound fast
with the letters of gold, and her face
| turned toward the east. appealing for as
sistance to those who live beyond the sea.
! But this figure can never express your
idea of this nation. You will rather turn
for fr,cv N{votf o1 +lo L,I,l,
guards the entrance to your city, a statue