Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1896-11-05
REAL AND SHAM FRIENDS.
Silver Has Been n Great Sufferer FrOn
Those OF the Latter Kind.


Those Of the Latter Kind.
The opponents of the Bland law in
1878 were waiting for international bi.
metallism. Mr.. Cleveland mentioned
the prospect Of it in his message in 1888
and again this year. It 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 profcssed 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 gathey-
ing to fade out Of existence in humil-
iating way, that gave monometallists an
opportunity for much gloating enjoy
menk Later silver became so strong in
Germany as to force the reiohstag 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 us. The Indian minis were closed
three months after he took Office. That
could have been prevented. The fear
that the United States would abandon
iIS support to silver was the chief cause
~ Tho a eolition of free coinage in India.
Germany void willingly have entered
into an S,iSaeeme,-t not to sell her re-
manning stock Of old silver coins. Each
country could have been leu 70 pledge
some assistan CO toward the restoration
of tire old bin ,etallic par, even II 1t dlo
not 20 TO the la ugth Of free coinage, and
in the end the situation would have
been found 80 efFs ctively guarded at all
points that the UNI ted States could have
opened its minis y Without frightening
any but persons of al normal nerves.
President Clevelant ! has missed his
chance. He has lost tn 9 opportunity 70
secure enduring populart y Tor himself
unity for his party, han mony among
sections for his country, p osperlty Ior
its people and the settlem ent OF the
financial question by smicA We agree
ment instead Of by tug Of ' var ne
has bequeathed hard and disae reeaoie
task to his successor, but he has maze
evident that the country needs a p resi-
dent whose wishes are in harmony " lth
its own. The American people have BET u
very patient, but after 90 years of broken
promises they demand change. New !
York Journal.