Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-11-19
AFTER THE BATTLE.

IL.
voters of the land have said most en-
phatlcally by their votes that they do
not want change from the single
gold standard under which we have
seen prices of everything falling, fall
ing, and the ability of the debtor to
pay and the frugal to lay up for a
rainy day growing harder and harder.
They have said, by their votes. that
what the rich and independent people
want is what is best also for the poor
and struggling masses, and have re-
fused to endorse policy which we
KNOW would equalize the burdens of
the nation and be more just to all peo-
pie alike than the present rule of the
classes, by the classes and for the
classes.
The majority of voters have said
this, and until the next presidential
election rolls around all the people
must abide the consequences.
If the events Of the next few years
prove that the position of the single
gold standard people was the correct
one, and that business revival and
prosperity will come to ALL our PEG.
pie as a result, then we should be
thank full that the election of 1896 re-
suited as it did. We do not want to
condemn the incoming administration
unheard; but we do want to say that
We have no confidence in the perma--
nent success of their plan-we lack
ssconfdence' in their scheme Of re-
demption-and we predict that before
Major McKinley's term is halt over
many thousands of thinking. honest
men who supported him at the polls
will be sadly regretting the act, and
eager for chance to JOIN the party of
financial reform and industrial free
dom.
The republican press talks glibly of
opening factories, specie payments, re-
turning confidence etc., but they are
not fooling the farmer and lahorer in.
to the belief that he can pay his debts
any easier, get work any quicker, or
furnish food and clothing for his wife
and children. The ''idle holders of
idle capital can, and doubtless will,
let loose Of part of their wealth TO
start factories etc, but such capital
will not get into the hands of those
whom the factories must depend upon
to buy their products; so that the
promised activity in manufacturing
districts can naturally be of but short
duration.
We firmly believe that no general
revival of business can take place un-
til the volume of money la circulation
is increased, or until we as a nation
quit spending more than we earn. The
incoming administration does not
contemplate increasing the currency;
but on the other hand, steps are al.
ready being taken to retire the green
backs; to issue more bonds and make
a basis for national bank circulation,
taking from the government entirely
the money issuing power and placing
it in the hands of the combined money
interests. In no other way can the
drain on the gold reserve be stopped,
under their present construction of
the laws. The country may stand
this for four years; but we believe that
long before that time such q mighty
protest will go up from the people
who refused to be bonded to the last
limit as will sweep from existence the
party of responsibility.
Friends of the free coinage of silver
regret that our cause did not win this
year, but defeat will only make them
more determined to fight the harder
for the just cause until it DOES WIN.
In Kansas our people are to be con.
oratulated that silyer's cause was m