The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1896-09-26
REAL AND SHAM FRIENDS.
Silver Has Been Great Sufferer From
- Those Of the Latter Kind.
NElHART,

Silver Has Been q Great Sufferer From
Those Of the Latter Kind.
The opponents of the Bland law in
1878 were waiting for international BIZ
metallism. Mr.. Cleveland mentioned
the prospect of it in his message in 1888
and again this year. 1t was a valuable
weapon in 1890, when the Sherman bill
was passed and the Brussels conference
was called in time to carry us over the
last presidential election. We are still
waiting, and those are waiting most pa
tiently who favor a gold standard. -
William J. Bryan in House Of Repre-
sentatives.
It 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
dence 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 discrediting
the international bimetallism in which
he has professed to believe. When he
took Office, he found the Brussels con-
ference hopefully awaiting his summons
to reconvene. He refused to give the
word and allowed that dignified gather
ing to fade out of existence in humil-
iating way, that gave monometallists an
opportunity for much gloating enjoy
ment. Later silver became SO strong i'll
Germany as to force the reichstag to
vote in 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 be evaded, 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 bimetallism, he would
have exerted the diplomatic activity Of
his administration in that direction in
stead of against it. He would have in
structed every representative he sent
abroad to sound the government to
which he was accredited and see how
far it would be willing to cooperate
with u.s. The Indian mints were closed
three months after he took Office. That
could have been prevented. The fear
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 60 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. He has lost the opportunity tc
secure enduring popularity for himself,
unity for his party, harmony among
sections for his country, prosperity fol
it, people and the settlement Of the
financial question by amicable agree
Rent instead Of by g tug Ct waE, Hs