The herald., 1896-02-17
Issued in the interests of Silver
Coinage
ALL THE ILLS OF HUMANITY
Ascribed to the Demonstration OF the
White Metal
Unbounde1 Prosperity Ex3.cted to Follow
the Election Of President PLEDGED
to Free Silver

Associated Press special Wire.
WASHINGTON, Feb. lG.--J. j. Mott, chair.
man of the national committee of the Sill
yer party, has issued the following address
to the people:
To the People: AS chairman of the ma
tional committee appointed by the silver
conference lately assembled in Washing
ton City to organize the silver forces in the
United States in the battle which is to take
place for the possession of the government
this year, it is thought proper that should
make some statement to the people in ref
erence to it.
AS the necessity of money as a medium
of exchange became revealed to the minds
of men, the two metals finally accepted as
the most suitable for money ware silver
and gold. This was natural because they
were the two most precious metals adapted
to the purpose and were sufficiently linn
tied in quantity.
As mining has developed the fact that
these two metals existed in the earth in
almost certain proportions. natural ratio
of value was assumed. This ratio has con
tinued as arranged by man under the nat
ural order as he found it. 1t was accepted
by mankind as part of the grand plan
upon which the world was to move and ap-
sense of all ages.
From this condition of regular order and
contentment, contributing to the gradual
elevation of all classes of society, the eX-
tension of civilization and the general be-
terment of the human race, this country
and the world has been ruthlessly torn,
1t has been done by the rejection OF one
of the precious metals in the interest OF
greed, and by this act the money changers
have been enthroned and the narrowing OF
the scope of the monetizAtion began. AS
monetization has been narrowed, money
has become scarcer in proportion, and as
money became scarcer prices fell in pro-
portion, and falling prices have been the
bane Of this world. 1t was predicted after
the demonetizaton of silver hat great suf-
fering would follow. This suffering is al
ready here. From contraction of the
currency we are now in the throes OF one
of these desperate stags 80 of human expert
ence-a period OF heartache, canker and
sleeplessness, as the foundation of prices
has crumbled. Obligations are resting
upon the supposed firm foundation of
price in ready money have crumbled into
dirt as the founda ion of the price has
crumbled. The country is confronted by
a grave emergency. Further theorizing is
futile The agitation of the money ques-
ton must be settled by peaceful methods
that will give pract cal results.
Long, patient and d spassiouate reflection
has convinced me that an independent
American financial system is absolutely
necessary to the restoration of national pros
perity and the establishment of commercial
conditions in this country. that will give
the common people-the agricultural and
lahoring classes-a all equal show with cepi-
tai and concentrated wealth. How can it
be effected? Can it be done through either
the Republican, or Democratic party as
now constituted? Both organizations are
lt.rht ind Hf fho roo r.
ern money power. The record of every
| national convention of both parties for
years is plain proof of the assertion. The
legislation of both parties in congress is
proof that is is impossible as party cues
ton.
as Americans who are for America against
the world, what is our first and contro ling
duty in this crisis? Shall we longer heed
the false promises of party platform
declarations? shall we longer submit to
the academic discussion of what bimetal-
lism means. Shall it be another
campaign Of struggling and equi.o-
cation? Or shall the iss Ie be
squarely on the free coinage of
silver aud gold and president elected
who represents the people on that ques-
ton.
The first step, the essential preliminary
| to the correction Of present abuses. the re-
| the maintenance of our national credit, 10
the election of president whose Andrew
| Jackson courage and inflexibility and in.
tegrity will defy the influences that prosti.
tute presidents and cabinets and make
| the adminstra ion of the government a
| subject of humiliation and reproach.
Strong in character and intention as
may be the stand ard bearer of the Repub.
lican or Democratic party in the coming
campaign, it will hardly be possible for
him to rise above the Influences that Sc
cured his nomination. or the ENVIRON
ments that must surround him in the
event OF his election. The one hope of the
people. am convinced, is the election of a
| president pledged. uncondition lily and
| uureservedly to the free and unlimited
coinase of silver and gold, the same as
| from the foundation of our government
until 1878, and also Internationally
! pledged in favor of national currency
| and against the issuance of interest bear
ing bonds in time of peace for any pur.
| pose whatever.
I appeal not only to Republicans in my
| own state who can appreciate the sacrifice
make in renouncing party obligations on
| this question in advance of party action in
| the premises, bit to the people throughout
| the country without regard to party, to co,
| operate in this great non-partisan patriotic
| American movement to sustaia the indus.
| trial and financial independence of the
| United States in the pending irrepressible
conflict.
| This sentiment influences me to accep,
| the craftsmanship of the national silver
| party. l shall give to this movement nv
| best services and thought and successful
or otherwise | shall realize the satisfac-
| ton of having done my duty to the people
| and to the country as see and understand
| ii.
| In my own state / confidently appeal to
| the rank and file of both parties to SUP,
| port my efforts. North Carolina Is an az,
! ricultural state, and nine-Ienths of its peo.
pie are directly and disastrously affected
by the operation of the single gold stand
ard. L appeal to them to lay aside party
feelings, ignore party obligations on this
social question, disregard par appe ,ls,
forget the eypirations of the past party
contention. and spurn the offer of place
and emolument.
| We have the example and experience of
the last campaign in New York to show the
practicability and safety of men of differ.
ent parties cooperating to carry out a
| great measure essential to the welfare of
the people, where neither of the parties
| favoring it could effect it alone. It
was cooperation on one issue, the issue of
fair elections. 1t is now arranged to ex-
tend such a plan through all states on an
other vital issue of even create II importance
to this country. No one party can do this.
but majority of the people in all the par.
ties want it done, and they can do II If
they will cooperate.
The peril that menaces the people in the
a aGIs ns1f -b<a