The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1896-08-25
REAL AND SHAM fsIENoa.
Silver Has Been Great Sufferer From
ThOse of the Lnttcr Kind.

BiVer hhS fteen u 1TehL
Those of the Latter Kind,
Tho opponents of tho Bland law In
1878 We're " a,ting for international bi.
metallism Mr.. Cleveland mentioned
the prospect of it in his message i'll 1883
and again this year. 1t was valuable
weapon in 1890, when tho Sherman bill
was passed and the Brussels conference
was called in time to carry us over the
last presidential election. We arc still
waiting, and those are waiting most pa
Iiently who favor gold standard. -
William j. Bryan in House of Repre-
sentatives.
1t is unfortunate for the opponents Of
independent free coinage that all Of our
presidents since the silver agitation be-
gan have been gold monometallists in
the disguise of international bimetal-
lists. If the dealings of the executive
branch of the government with the ma
jority of the people for 20 years had not
borne the aspect of a prolonged conf.
donce game, we probably never should
have had to force the present crisis.
President Cleveland has been by far
the worst offender. His entire admins
tration has been devoted to discrcditing
the international bimotallism in which
he has professod to believe When he
took Office he found the Brussels con-
ference hopefully awaiting his summons
to reconvene. He refused to give tho
word and allowed that dignifiod gather
ing to fade out of existence in humil-
iuting way, that gave monomotallists an
opportunity for much gloating enjoy
ment. Later silver became so strong in
Germany as to force the reichstag to
vote i'll favor of another conference.
Mr.. Cleveland gave this advance an icy
reception. Congress provided for accept
ing the German invitation, if one should
be received, and the presidents init
mates exultingly showed how the tech
nical wording of the resolution would
allow it to bo cvadcd, how the dele
gates appointed by congress could be
deprived of their credentials and the
United States could remain unrepre-
sented ,.
If Mr. Cleveland. had really desired
to carry out his professions of regard for
international sbimetallism, ha would
have excrted tho diplomatic activity of
his administration In that direction in
stead Of against it. Hc would have in.
structed every representative he sent
abroad to''sound the government to
which he was accredited and see how
far 1t would be willing to cooperate
with us. The Indian mints were closed
three months after he took office, That
al
that the United States would abandon
it's support to- silver was the chief cause
of the abolition of free coinage in India
Germany would willingly have entered
into an engagement not to sell her re-
manning stock of old silver coins. Each
country could have been led to pledge
some assistance toward the restoration
Of the old bimetallic par, even if it did
not go to the length of free coinage, and
in the end the situation would have
been found so effectively, guarded at all
points that the United States could have
opened its mints without frightening
any but persons of abnormal nerves.
President Cleveland has missed his
chance. Hehas lost the opportunity to
secure enduring popularity for himself,
unity for his party, harmony among
sections for his country, prosperity for
its people and tho settlement Of tho
financial question by amicable agree
ment instead of by u tug of war He
has bequeathed a hard and disagreeable
task to his successor, but he has made
evident that the'oouftry needs q presi- /
dent whose wishes are in harmony with
its own. The'American people have been
very patient but after 20 years of broken
promises they demand change. New
Great Britain's Luck.
The London Financial News says,
at is great streak of luck to Great
Britain that the United States does not
take the nsatterpf its finances in its own
hands and issue itsi6wnAsilyer without
waiting the convenience OF this coun-
try" I
~ sz<eAx