Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-02-28
600 900 in smaller denominations ana

we had actually used very large
amount of Spanish m!lled dollars, Mey'
lean dollars and other foreign silver
| coins made legal-tender by law. The
amount of our actual coinage is imma-
terial. There were many years during
which we coined but little gold-in 1916
and 1917 none at all From 1860 to 1879
we were doing our business almost eX-
clusively with paper, and there was no
more reason for the demonetiz ton of
silver than for that of gold. We did not
do il because We had to send the most of
our precious metals abroad to pay our
debts.
! We had just emerged from great
civil war. The whole nation was load
ed down with debt. We were strug-
Cling toward resumption of specie
payments.
1t made an enormous difference 10 MS
| whether we resumed on the basis OF
both metals or only one.
The opponents of the silver move
ment, after eXhaustng every argument
against it and in favor of the gold
that they desire an international agree
ment TO restore il. Here they abso-
lutely surrender their case upon every
question Of principle. If we were all
wrong upon this question, why should
they want TO restore silver by inter
national agreement or in any other
way?
But. they say we cannot do it alone.
How do they know? Wherever it has
been tried it has proved magnificent
success.
When driven from their ground upon
every point they have the effrontery 10
insist that we must be in accord with
the monetary policy of England. What
an argument is that for patriotic
American citizens TO make, And ii is
as weak in its logic as it is in its patriot
ism. To argue that because the gold
standard is good for creditor England
is must be good for debtor America, is
to cOnfound all distinctions.
Our interests are directly the reverse.
1t is high time for us 10 establish an
American financial policy. We are in
favor of a new declaration of independ-
ence. The soil Of the American col
onies was drenched i'm the lifeblood of
our sires in the great struggle for per-
sonal freedom. We appeal TO the people
OF this country TO emulate the spirit OF
their revolutionary ancestors, and re-
solve that as no nation can subjugate
us by military power, no nation shall
subjugate rs by the insidious power OF
wealth
We wish to remind our fellow-coun-
trymen that we also are citizens OF the
republic. proud of its past and solicit
tous for its future We have no desire
TO force policy upon il that will threat
Ell its stability. injure its prosperity
or tarnish its fair fame. If an attack
of that kind is ever made it will come
from the money kings of the east. aping
the ways and counting the favor of Eu-
ropean mobiles, princes and kings
never from us. We are for America
against the world. and for the interests
of the common people above every other
consideration.
We believe that the complete restora-
ton OF silver will place us in close COM
mercial touch with the silver-using ma
tons of the earth without in any way
injurng our relations with those coun-
tries that adhere TO the gold standard.
That il will enormously increase our
foreign exports. arrest the ruinous fall
Of prices, restore values, build up and
invigorate the country on every line
of industrial Development and bring
back the prosperity thar was lost by
the vicious and uncalled-for legislation
of 1878.
We have no confidence that any in
ternatiOnal agreement can be reached
within reasonable time. We are un-
alterably opposed TO letting the cause
of silver restoration wither and die
while awaiting for relief upon that
line. and believe the United States
should take the initiative.
We say that the United States Is
strong enough 70 settle this question
alone We have such confidence in the
outcome that we are willing 70 stake
our all upon the result, and We demand
that a trial be made
I'm conclusion. we desire 10 say 10 the
friends OF silver everywhere that as
our opponcuts always act a a unit on
this question we should DO The same.
We should combine and raise means
10 srrgal the literature of money
among tho men Of the eastern states;
10 send gifted missionaries there TO ex-
pound the true faith. and To teach those
p.0rlc whence their financial salvation
.s' "oar 30 chat when the great
.a l p9t.i's shall again meet in
.9.cr;.an To pomina,e candidate for
p.. i,at free silver at the ratio of 10
70 aA II Pc The sniaaolcth TO herald
.aa. patton for IA" great producing
Jl5 q restoration OF the pros
i, yA.. oyou ;hc mighty civil war
could not rctrd. but which. un-
.9 .1c toWaiquct IF the interest
'ic. U.s. has Frustrated the business
49,, world.