The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-23
THE PROCESSION COMING UP SECOND FROM

walk In the darkness OF a blind unrea-
soning faith, that
First. IL congress says 50. 60 cents
worth OF silver will. by virtue OF that con-
gressional proclamation. become worth
100 cents In the markets OF the world.
and that without resarl 20 the law OF sup
ply and demand. That the value OF a piece
OF metal used for the purposes OF exchang-
ing property has a purchasing value and
power not regulated by the actual value
OF the metal in the markets OF the world.
but has just such purchasing value, and
just such purchasing power, as congress by
statute commands That the Intrinsic or
market value has nothing 10 DO with II.
That value, not purchasing or exchange
able value Is wholly fixed by law.
Second. they say that without reference
70 supply and demand. without reference
to the quantity OF the metal produced, Il
congress says so many grains OF silver
shall be worth so much for buying puE-
poses 1t will be So
such stupid Folly.
"wen. that Is such BANKED nonsense.
such stupid folly. that II requires an Ell
fort to believe that any intelligent man
believes 1t. IL any one does actually be-
iievo It. II would not be useful employ
ment OF time 20 labor with him.
1T viii be conceded by the dullest ap-
rrehension that the value of farm pro-
OF Iron. lead, etc, depends upon supply
and demand: and 1T certainly should not
toke higher order OF intelligence TO uu-
derstand that one metal is not exempt
from the operation OF a law which con-
trolls the value OF all other kinds or prop
erty. But, my Populist friend says, the
stamp on 1t makes the difference. But ne
confuses two things-the debt-paying
power with the purchasing power. or ex-
changeahle value. of the metal. The law
can. and does, fix the debt paying power
OF the metal, but congress can't control
the purchasing or exchdngeaole value or
power of piece OF metal any more ssan
congress can control the value OF a Dushel
% Wheat in the market OF the world.
'@rhe Populists and certain other per-
sons have labored indusiriously, not to
prove they are right ia regard TO the .r -
aud undated coinage OF silver, bat that
vas in favcr Of the same dull absurdity.
Because I favor bi-nletalllsm, they insist
/ that was committed 10 the absurd policy
they advocate OF getting II. tApp.auseo
/ Because I have denounced the policy of
I the nations in dernonetizing silver. that I
I M 81 perforce OF that favor the free and
/ unlimited coinage of silver az a ratio OF
! ts 70 !. lApplause)
( They quote a letter Of mine written 10
+ my koncred friend. Senator Teller. AMI
( quote sentences from that letter 10 prove
tFat an not consistent IN opposing ,Ne3-
plan OF free and Unlimited coinage Of
/ silver AZ 10 20 ]. Wei, no intelligent per-
/ son who has any Intent or desire to be
/ fair or candid VIII pretend 10 hnd in the
/ Teller letter a Lire or word which even
/ hints that the way 20 hi-netallism Is
/ alcrg tho path ef free and unlirdtei coin
! age as proposed in ths Chicago platform.
/ (ApqlaGsel
at u clear 20 my mind. and / think 20
! every intelligent apprehension. that ths
/ way 20 bopeiexsly defeat return 10 bs-
I meta lliSHn-ws.iCh contsmpiaies The use OF
{ beth gold and siiver-~is 20 open the msn Is
/ - the free az unlimited coina<a ~ silver
thus giving 10 oar people a deprecated
/ coin, a clipped coin. which would go Cut
/ to fbc world a. an evidence % national re-
! pBdiatioa ard d!Sbouor. and as sust pun
/ tshmsHt - our rerfiey. leaving our indus
/ tres IN the dust. our prosperity n exile
/ and cur far q q emblem. not Of greatness
homer and glory. but q badge ot hara.lia-
ton and disgrace.
Cham Ion % Binetaiisssn-
"You know that the Republican party I:
) TIE friend ned champion % oi-nse,aliisn
/ and We sn know that the free and unilr.
lied coinage OF silver as proposed by TIA