The record-union., 1896-08-05
THE SAFE MIDDLE GROUND.

The Bakersfield Californian" thinks
the Record -Unions' suggestion that
the silver question may be settled with
comparative ease by fixing a date in
the early future for resumption of free
coinage is a good one. 1t worked well
in the case Of resumption of specific
payments, says our contemporary,
which was agreed upon to go into ef
feet four years later. That leeway
gave time for business to adjust itself
to the coming order, and to ascertain
whether the resolution to act was going
to precipitate panic, or work other i'll
effects.
In case it was found that the f1nan-
cial systems of commerce and business
were shaping themselves harmonious
ly with the promise, the full carrying
out of the policy would be easy. If, on
the other hand, 1t was evident that the
resolution to open the mints to free
and unlimited silver coinage was oper-
ating disastrously, there would be time
to take precautionary, even backward
steps. If it was found, as the Rec
ord-Union' believes, that the fixing of
a date for free coinage to go into effect
would promote international agreement
and finally bring other nations into har-
mony with the proposition, then the
policy of the Republican party would
be vindicated. and IN the meanwhile the
very thing the radical free silver men
wish would happen-the appreciation
OF silver values and the attainment of
actual parity of value between the two
metals. gold and silver.
1t is to be noted right here that the
most extreme and uncompromising of
the silver men agree with the most
pronounced and firm gold men and with
the Republicans, who are the true BIZ
metallists, that international agree
ment is desirable. On that point there
fs not the slightest disagreement; 1t is
common ground. The Republican party
believes that this agreement should be
attained through diplomatic methods
and wise counselings, and pledges itself
to promote all such diligently and any
other wise means to that end
The silver radicals for their part in
sist that the shortest and best road to
International agreement Is through CO.
ercion; that If the United States adopts
their ideas. the other Powers Of the
earth will be soonest and Inevitably
moved to follow our example. The rad
ica1 gold men. on their behalf, say that
no nation by anything It may do, or any
policy it may adopt or threat it may
make, can effect the common desire. but
that it must be approached and brought
about as are all other social, CONNER
ctal and financial changes and reforms
by educational processes, and gradually
and through communion between the
great States Of the world.
In this division of opinion as to
means. the Republican party, 1T will be
seen, occupies the position of safety.
consistent patriotism and cool wis
dom. 1t Is in a position to take I'D and
legislate upon either of the two plans
which have been set forth In these col
umns, or any other that will accomplish
the common desire. But, In the opinion
OF vast numbers. the half-married DEM
ocrats and the Populists are radically.
heatedly and unwisely pledged to a CO.
ercive, threatening and dangerous pol
icy that VIII, IN the opinion of many of
the most far-seeing publicists and
statesmen Of the nation, who are bimet
allists, and want to see the volume OF
usable silver as largely increased as is
safely possible. give the country a vio-
lent wrench
In view of these positions, what is the
part Of wisdom for the cool-headed and
thinking voter7 Plainly, to cast his
fortunes in this campaign with the Re-
publican party, which has over and
over again demonstrated its capacity
and courage to deal with weighty prob
lens and steer the ship of State through
trouble waters. It is the party of true
bimetallism, the enemy of neither met
al, the friend of both, in harmony with
the Constitution, the traditions and the
commercial experience of the nation.