New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-02
4 LITTLE HISTORY.

Silver delegates from Massachusetts and
Maryland only show that ignorance is not sec
tional. That kind Of ignorance has been cult
waited so long by the Democratic party, taught
so plainly in its Platforms and promoted so
carefully for the purpose Of strengthening
prejudice against Republicans, that it is not
strange to find able and worthy Democrats de-
spairing of success in resisting it. Mr.. Boics. OF
Iowa. is entirely right in saying, in his reply TO
Mr. Whitney:
Over and over again the Democratic party in
National Convention assembled has put itself on
record in the clcarest and most comprehensive
language possible 10 use in favor OF bmetallism.
in favor of the restoration OF silver to Its place IN
our financial system - standard money and
never for moment in the Congress of the United
States has majority or anything like majority
of the representatives of that party WaVered IN
devotion to the principle so clearly enuncated in
the party's platform.
1t Is instructive to observe that the Demo
cratic party never thought of rcsuming the
coinage of silver during the years when that
metal had not much Deprecated The first
reference to silver demOnctiZation appears in
Democratic platforms of 1917. when the de-
probation of silver had reached about 10 per
cent Prior to that time the Democratic party
had been engaged in fighting the money pow
of Western and Southern Democrats mainly
by appealing to the desire for paper imitation.
SO little was thought of the coinage of silver
ct that time that its stoppage by the act Of
1873 was not even mentioned in the platforms
adopted in 1874 by the Anti-Monopolsts and
Independent or Greenback party in such States
as Iowa. Illinois and Indiana. 1t will amuse
many TO observe that the Grcenback National
TO- oJo of Ind
lis. on which Peter Cooper and S. +. Cary were
nominated for President and VcePresident.
did not make the slightest reference to de-
monetiZation of silver, but on the contrary, de-
clared
Fifth-We further protest against the sale OF
Government bonds for the purpose OF purchasing
silver to be used as a substitute for con-
venien. and less fuctuating fractional currency.
which, though we'll calculated TO enrich owners of
silver mines. yet in operation It will still more
Cypress in taxation an already overburdened
people.
Silver had not ut that time very greatly de-
clined But in 1871 when its decline had
reached about 10 per cent. the first reference
to its demonstration appears in Democratic
platforms. four years after the act Of 1913 was
passed. The Iowa and some other platforms
contained in that year the following resolution
the people the enactment Of the Republican meas
ure dcmonetizng silver. and demand the passage
| Of a law which shall restore 10 silver its none
tary power.
1t was in the fall Of that year that the Demo
Gratis having secured a majority in Congress
proposed under the leadership of Mr.. Bland
the restoration of free silver coinage, Il large
majority of the Republicans also at that time
asserting. Although silver had then declined
about 10 per cent from its normal or coinage
value in gold, it was by many believed that
restoration of coinage would lift ii in value
But it is worthy Of note that in the following
years. precisely in proportion as silver declined
further below its parity with gold, so thai
restoration Of coinage must Of necessity have
meant debasement of the currency and disusC
Of gold. the Democratic party became more
Jealous year by year and more united and ear
nest in demanding free coinage Of silver II
does not need much reflection to see that from
the beginning this demand has been an appeal
TO ignorance and poverty. and to the prcjudces
Of the poor against the wealth and capital
which were supposed TO be enlisted on behalf
OF the Republican cause.