Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1896-07-01
WILLIAM c. WHITNEY.

WILLIAM C. WHITNEY.
who can do much more than can for the
party. l shall not assume any position OF
leadership. My decision to stay was simply
based on the duty of every person who be-
heves in the party for its principles to
stand by and lend his aid and take his
chances when great crisis is upon II.
Differences In tho Party.
There can be no question but that n
great crisis is upon the democratic PARTY.
Fundamental differences of principle exist
inside the party. marked almost by sec
tional lines. The great question to my mind
is whether the party meets in convention
now as I'm 1860. with issues and differences
that are for the moment irreconcilable
For the past 10 years leaders of public opin-
ion in the south and west have been advo-
eating as the great remedy for existing
Ills the free coinage OF silver at the ratio
OF sixteen to one, with or without the CO.
operation OF other nations. 1t has come
to be believed in there quite generally and
conscientiously. large majority of the
delegates to the coming democratic con-
vention have been elected by the people for
the purpose OF Incorporating that doctrine
into the platform of the democratic party.
Views of Eastern Democrats.
''Our people. on the other hand. entirely
disagree with these views and believe al
most universally that II will bring general
ruin to the business and prosperity of the
country. 1t is deemed new doctrine when
proposed to be Incorporated into the plat
form OF the national democracy II Is
true that I'm no previous platform of the
party can IL specifically be found Conse-
quenuy no party obligations heretofore
assumed oblige-them to subscribe to IT.
May Disrupt the Party.
Under these circumstances. IL the re-
suits of the democratic convention should
be TO establish the Issue OF this cam
paign the free coinage of silver at a ratio
OF sixteen to one. independent of other
nations, In the intensity of feeling likely
to arise IT is TO be seriously apprehended
that disruption of the democratic party
might occur. Certainly no substantial fol-
lowing could be secured for the doctrine
among eastern democrats. They might not
vote the republican ticket for other rea-
sons believing that the republican party
stands for other Issues that are detri-
mental to the country. but the democrats
In the east would not. in my opinion. vote
for 1t.
A Question of Ability.
This movement for free coinage pur-
ports TO have for its object the stahlish-
ment and maintenance Of gold and silver
as the money of the country upon eouaI
terms with each other and at n MARTY ~
purchasing power. IT, by the proposed
measure, that object could be secured
there would be no substantial Disagree
ment in the party. Every national derno
cratic platform that has heretofore spoken
upon the subject has declared for both
gold and silver money. IT Is our tradition
al policy. But the maintenance OF tho
double standard at the present time 90
not a question Of desire; II is a question OF
ability The commercial value OF silver
mas declined greatly In the markets OF tho
world. Whatever the causes are and vvbo
ever IL 10 blame. the fact is that silver has
uecIhed' ana Tree coinage now at sixteen
TO one Is the same as our Offering for aii
the silver In the world about twice 1,bet
u Is selling for In the market Internas
tioIai e&chauges have to be paid I'm gold
.Na.g..
these conditions, open our minis 10 49,
coinage or silver and gold at a ratio ~
comparative value which IL largot,, -.
rarance with the commercial value Of
ne Two metals. We must take the entir..
silver surplus ourselves and alone ,r.tr
tain It's parity with gold, or eIse We ebaiI
90 TO silver basis 7'''i'
Time IL Inopportune.
M. whitney refers to the fact that
France closed her minis against etc. a.
1913. and abandoned the experirncnt 49,. -
ing herself unequal 70 the task alone ~.
says Germany, France. Belgium, Itat,, 90
austria believe In n double standard ana
desire 70 establish 81: but no ono -. -
three OF them deem tbcrnset,,o, ,TO or
maintain the double standard. even 90
the cooperation Of the United SET ~
continues: This movement, uurrorti,,
70 be In tho interest Of the ioirf s,tt,iIlh
comes at a most inopporttine tir,o t.. ~,
opinion There has mover been , ~
when the prospects Of internatto,'.t ~
tior favorable 20 the joint standard ~
~ an as promising as at the present ~
went But an in-advlsed, unsuccessg,l a.
tempt here would diqcredit tho cauee g..
World over. From the discussion ~ ~
last ~ years, - has come to uass r.,
among Inc persons IN Europe yybo o.
ualhcd' recognized scientists upon ~,
monetary and economic questions eCsro.t,.
ono ls not 90 the present moment advooat
ing the desirabillty Of the joint standsrd
80 the real solution Of the rnonetar, dtf
hcuttes OF the world. This includes e,,cr,,
professor engaged in teaching or Iocfurine
on theee subjects IN tho universities on
yfeat britain. They are agreed upon me
drs'rability ~ So. and that II is entiroiv
practicable ~ established and rnsintained
~ agreement Of the principal commercial
natioue.
Would Bring Immediate Ruin.
~ cannot be denied that the feeling
among our people is that this free coinage
~ the united states alone will not give
us the gold ana silver money 81 d uarif,,
Win each other (which is tho aqsurnption
upon which ~ ia undertaken buf mn
DilhB 70 w silver mOnometalllsn and Il
i"Hhe h 'he standard Of values And
lhdt chanRe, 70 ip believed rnea rs i'm r,,edf,t
ruin % our industries and no roru,sro,,,
k"od 70 anyone. This feeling fo gorcr.t
ana intense Whether these difgerc,,,.,.
can De reconciled. 81 is Impossible 10 a.
uelpate The democratic party stands for
principles desirable TO be maintained a.,
tho good o. tho country Almost ar,v 80 80
rihce might Dc asked Of democrats Tor fbo
tahe or the party, and they wotAd ebecr
tuIy make e. But 81 the delcRatee 49,,
THIS locality - ould 90 70 that convenfior
and represent that the rank and az -
the party would follow tho lead ~ ~
southern brethren and vote for free coin
axe Of silvtf BY the United States alone
hc would BE misrepreaentine the state a. |
public orinion here. Whether Il 10 50 or