The Madisonian. (Virginia City, Mont.) 1873-1915, 1896-08-22

shrinkage of values is apparent. and
as it applies to every ordinary form Of
property. when measured by gold. the
inference is Irresistible that gold has
appreciated in purchasing power 100
per cent.
Who can estimate the sorrows that
must follow in the train of q disaster Of
that magnitude? We may estimate
the loss of property. possibly, but who
can estimate the otter SORROWS:
| think it is safe to assert. and chal-
lenge successful contradiction that the
ratio of crimes. OF suicides. of lunatics,
of divorces and inmates of the work
houses of Illinois has increased during
the last fifteen wears in the ratio that
silver and all Other commodities have
decreased in value when measured by
gold. II this is true Widths last awful
increase be uscribed 10 Overproduction?
If it is true Of Illinois it is rue Of every
other state.
What is the remedy: Gov. McNir-
ley says: Make a new adjustment of
the tariff and make it certain that the
gold standard will always be maintain
ed. and then capital will invest in prop
erty and set to work the idle" Is it
the habit of capitalists to buy stocks on
a steadily declining market: Will
men invest money in property with the
certainty before them that the property
will be worth less in a year hence than
now:
Mr.. Bryan says: "Restore the money
that was discarded. increase the volume
of real mOney-not promises to pay
until property will become as valuable
as money, and then there will be invest
ments and new work will be supplied
to men: then the producers of the coun-
try will begin to have a little reward,
and the depression and unrest will pass
away
Which seems the more sensible rea-
soning?: But 1.-THE honor and credit of
the United States is shrieked in full
chorus by the men who oppose silver.
What is thought Of the nan who
starves his family for a week in order
to give q feast to his friends? Is not
the safest assurance for national credit
the prosperity OF the units of people
who in the aggregate make the popula-
ton Of the nation?
But 'sOund money" is the next cry.
What makes money sound, except that
it has the needed characteristics to
make perfect money. and behind that
full recognition: Money may be q
great blessing OF a great curse. When
it is used as a measure OF values and to
facilitate business when it has sufficient
volume not to break down the values of
property, it is a mighty blessing.
When it gravitates to a few hands.
and is used merely as the highwayman
uses his revolver, to hold up" people.
then it becomes a curse.
But" say the great bankers and en-
perts, " never a re-establish silver
money without helpfrom abroad. "This
is perhaps the bankers natural view,
for men who have to be accountable
for the money of other people intrusted
to their keeping are prone to become
conservative, and it requires constant
alertness on their part to keep them
broad-minded and patriotic.
Both the great parties, admitting the
need of a return to bimetallism, have.
up to this year, advocated the restcra-
ton of silver, but this year the St..
Louis platform insists that it must
come through international agreement.
That means with England's consent
England that collects from us every
twenty years as much gold or its equiv
alent, as there is gold in the world
England that for ten years past has
bought our food and textiles at half
price. When will she consent?
Why should we are what England
or Europe may do? Why should not
we be concerned about the pros
perity of our own people than to please
those who never deal with us except
that the advantage is OF their side?
"Butif We try it we shall be
whelmed with silver" say the cautious