The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-09-12
ed Ito this powerful host are the pur-
purchaseable voters that will yield

ed ito this powerful host are the pur-
purchaseable voters that will yield
Hanna's golden arguments.
Against them are arrayed the produ-
cling classes and the middle men. But
| for the coercive power OF wealth, Nc
kinley would be heavily defeated AS 1t
stands to-day the chances seem to be
against him. However, this question
asto who shall win. Is not half so impor-
tant as who ought to win. Which. as
welfare. and for the harmony and safe
ty OF American institutions. This IS the
great question, which every patriotic
and thoughtful man would like to have
answered to his satisfaction. Let US look
at this situation. The rich and those
whom they can influence or coerce. are
solio on one side. as against the la
boring classes on the other side. We all
agree that this Is a bad divide" as
John Baldwin used to say in the DAYS
OF reconstruction, 1t seems certain.
Certain. humanity speaking, that IL will
lead to more general and violent clash
between labor and capital than this
country has ever seen before All the
skirmishes of the past year, seem but
premonitlon of the great battle that
seems imminent and as the muttering
fhunders before the storm. II the bat
tie comes and the storm breaks what
shall be the result? Surely there Is
gravity enough in the outlook to excite
the apprehens!ons OF every man who
ioVes his country Can intelligent men
look on with stolid Indifference or shut
their eyes and say Lay on McDun."
&c? AS the days go by the breach is
widening; bitterness and abuse are in
creasing, and the lines OF battle an
proach nearer to each other Denun-
Citations thunder along the line, and
angry flashes are lighting the lurid poll
teal skies. Where is the brotherly love
that should animate fellow citizens
where the spirit of unity and neighbor-
~ consideration that once prevailed?
where the generous concession to oppo-
nents who may be honestly mistaken?
Is there enough of wisdom and patriot
Ism TO prevent n bad divide" from de-
Veioping into open and inimical COLI |
sion. and an abiding contl:c: between
classes? Is there enough of patriotic
generosity In either party to offer an
olive branch? Which OF these parties
can best afford and is most willing TO |
proTer compromise?
SUGGESTION.
Let me suggest that the gold partv |
who could personally, best afford TO lose
by an experiment, and who believe that |
the free coinage would suffer most by |
an experiment with free coinage. say to
the latter: You seem honest in your
agitation FOR free coinage. and while we
conscientiously believe that It Is your
agltation which causes the hard
times OF which you complain
so bitterly, yet for the sake Of
harmony we will indulge the hope that
free coinage may not prove so disas-
trous as we fear. and will consent that
1t may be tried, believing that If It
should prove disastrous. .he American
people are too practical TO let IL go too
far. and that when you have tried your
great panacea for hard times and have
learned by experience that IL works |
badly, the agitation will cease and we
shall return to old and we'll tried in
dustrial lines, and journey on in peace
and brotherly love, as our fathers did,
taxing up our old political quariels by
way of passing the time plea sanity"
This would be a graceful and kindly
proposition. Is there grace and kindness
enough In that powerful party to make
such concession?