Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-25

The Cokdea Club has just taken action
worthy OF consideration by statesmen
this side of the water. At regular meet
ing, with Its most eminent members pres
Cnt, il expresses pleasure at the election of
Mr.. Mckinley, whose success in other cir
cumstances it would {. greatly have de-
plored. England. the club agrees. has
rothing to expect from Mr. Mckinley on
the economic question. but as he stands for
sound money-a question in which all hold
ers of American securities are interested
his presence in the White House rather
than that of Mr.. Bryan will be welcome.
This is the proper appraisement of the
relative Importance at this time of the two
questions of tariff and finance. The Golden
Club believes in free trade. To advocate
the maintenance of that policy at home
ard its adoption by other countries is the
reason for its existence. Protection, per Sc,
IS hateful In its eyes. 1t insists that pro-
lection retards trade prevents commercial
development, and is kurtful all around.
But this club recognizes In the proposition
for a iebased currency an evil by the side
OF which protection as an evil is a very
small matter. While free coinage at 16 to 1
threatens in country with which England
has 50 much to do, the Golden Club Is
willing to forget protecticn-to rejoice even
IN the success of the champion of pro-
lection.
There are Cobdenite5 in the United States
men who believe that the tariff policy of
this country should be fashioned after that
of England. They are of course democrats.
and many of them are sound money men,
These sound money democrats voted either
Directly or Indirectly for MIR. Mckinley
Ihey d1d 50 knowing his protection prin-
c.ples, and without asking at his hands
nv
Neither did they surrender any of their
conventions as TO taxation. Mr.. Mckinley
Is now to take office partly as the result
OF their support. The free silver men are
stanuing together, and will compose the
Opposition to the new administration
Inc question, therefore, arises what
relation shall sound money democrats hold
toward the new administrators policy? A
REVISION OF the tariff has been promised by
the republicans ana must be made. The
government must have more revenue, and
IN ievying this, protection will be applied
Shall sound money democrats support the
new measure? Or oppose it and assist
those most anxious to break down the new
aoIniplStratlon? 1t the administration
breaks down, sound money goes with it.
IN life they are Indispensable to each other
and IN death they could not be divided
the campaign, took the same view of the
matter that their Ccbdenite friends H.
England now take, change front in the
face of legislation intended to make good
" hat they tEen declared for?
The obligation is not all on one side
Protection, while necessary, need not be
prohibitCry. and there is 10 reason TO
expect that it will be. The schedules of the
Mckinney bill will not be brought forward
agtin- Mr. Mckinley himself mas in effect
said TINS. But q bill carrying protection,
justly distributed, will be presented ami
there IS no good reason why sound money
nen OF both parties should not record
their votes tor il and enact it into law
While free silver at Is to L threatens, as
the Golden CLUB points out. a greater than
the tariff Question at hand and must be
me- by the concerted action of all the
friends of sound nnancc.