Evening journal., 1896-08-27
letter of the Republican
Nominee For President.
'OLITICALISSUES DISCUSSED
Presentation Of the Principal
Questions of The Campaign.
PROTECTION, MONEY, RECIPROCITY

'andidate Mckinley Declares His Unal-
terable Opposition to Independent Free
Silver Coinage -Favors International BIZ
metalilsm-says 1t Is No New Departure
From Republican Doctrine-Review Of
Tariff Legislation-The Demand For Pro-
teCtion-Favors Reciprocity In Trade.
The Immigration Question: Republican
National Platform Fully Endorsed.
Ion. John NJ. Thurston and Others, Mem
hers of the Notification Committee Of the
Republican National Convention:
GENTLEMEN-In pursuance of the prom
sc made TO your committee when notified
f my nomination as the Republican can
idate for president beg TO submit this
|ormal acceptance of that high honor and
o consider in detail questions at issue in
he pending campaign. Perhaps this might
70 considered unnecessary in view OF my
emarks on that occasion and those have
nado to delegations that have visited me
inco the St. Louis convention, but In view
# the momentous Importance of the prop
r settlement of the issues presented on
ur future. prosperity and standing as
iation, and considering only the welfare
nd happiness of our people, could not be
ontent to omit again calling attention TO
he questions which IN my opinion vitally
feet our strength and position among the
governments Of the world and our moral
ty, integrity and patriotism as citizens Of
hat republic which for a century past has
zen the best hope of tho world and the
Inspiration of mankind. We must not now
rove false 70 our own high standards in
government or unmindful Of the noble
xample and wise precepts of the fathers or
# the confidence and trust which our con-
luct in the past has always inspired
For tho first time since 1868, if ever be-
orc, there Is presented to the American
people this year a clear and direct issue as
o our monetary system, Of vast impor-
anOo IN it's effects and upon the right set
lement OF which rest largely the financial
ionOr and prosperity Of the country. 1t is
proposed by one wing Of the Democratic
iarty and its sllies-the Peoples and
Silver parties-to inauguratc the free and
unlimited coinage Of silver by independent
ction on tho part of the United States az
ratio Of 10 ounces of silver TO ounce Of
lold The mere declaration of this pur-
lese IS a menace 70 our financial and in
Iustrial interests and has already created
Universal alarm. 1t involves great peril to
he credit and business Of the country
leril so grave that conservative men every
where are breaking away from their old
larty associations and uniting with other
latriotic citizens in emphatic protest
against tic platform of the Democratic ma
ionul convention as an assault upon the
aith and honor Of the governments and the
Welfare Of the people We have had few
questions IN the lifetime OF the republic
more serious than the one which is thus
presented.
TAo Measure OF Values.
Tho character Of the money which shall
mccsure our values and exchanges and set
10 our balances with one another and with
he nations OF the world is Of such primary
Importance ard so farreaching in it's con-
sequences as TO call for the most painstak-
. Ing Investigation and in the end sober
md unnreiudiced Judgment at tho polls.
+ We mustnot bo Inisled by phrases or delud-
d bya false theory. Free silver would not
mean that silver dollars were to be freely
had without cost or labor. 10 would mean
4 the frso uso OF the mints Of the United
States for the few who are owners of silver
. bullion, but would make silvcF coin no
tresr to tho many who nre engaged in 9TH
rr estcrprises. It would net make labor
,aSler, the hours of labor shorter or the pay
better. IL would not make farming less la
boriou5 or moro profitable. 1t would not
start q factory or make demand for an
additional days labor 1t would create no
new occupations IL would add nothing to
tho comfort of the masses, the capital Of
the people or tho wealth of the nation. 1t
seeks to introduce new measure of value,
u
ured. il would not conserve values. On
the contrary, 1t would derange all existing
values. 1t would not restore business con-
hdence, but Its direct effect would be to de-
stroy the littlc which yet romans.
The meaning Of the coinage plank adopt
: cd at Chicago is chat any one may take a
quantity Of silver bullion now worth 90
cents to the mints of the United States
+ have itcoined at the expense of the govern
mcnt and receive for It silver dollar
which shall be legal tender for the pay
ment of all debts, public and private The
pwner Of the silver bullion would get the
lilver dollai, 1t would belong to him and
p nobody else. Other people would get it
only by their labor, the products of their
land or something Of value The bullion
I owner on tho basis of present values would
. receive tho silver dollar for SO cents worth
I Of silver, and other people would be re-
: uuired 20 receive it as a full dollar in the
: payment Of debts. The government would
ret nothing from the transaction. 1t
4 Uould bear tho expense of coming the sill
Ger, and the community would suffer loss
| by its use
The Dollars Compared.
A We have coined since 1878 more than
& 400 600, 900 silver dollars, which are main
4 tanned by the government Mt parity
. with gold and are full legal tender for
4 the payment of all debts public and pri.
vato How are the silver dollars now in
4 use different lrom those which would be in
use under free coinageY They are 20 be Of
4 the same weight and flneness. They are
! TO bear the Same stamp OF the government.
4 Why would they not be of the same valued
/ answer
The silver dollars now In use were coined
4 on account Of the government and not for
private account or gain, and the govern
| ment has solemnly agreed to keep them as
| good as the best dollars we have. The gov
! crnment bought the silver bullion at It's
! market value and coined 10 into silver
dollars. Having exclusive control of the
mintage, 1t only coins what IL can hofd a