The San Francisco call., 1896-06-11
There Will Be No Cowardice.
New York Tribune.

1t is practically settled that the sound-money
men viii have entire control in the Republi-
can convention, and the silver men in the
Democratic convention. That certainly is by
some expected to have much to do with the
shaping of the Republican platform. They
reason that in such circumstances the Repub-
lcans will have nothing to fear in any Eastern
States. and will therefore be inclined to treat
as kindly as possible the opinions OF Western
brethren, whose struggle Tor protective princi-
Piles is embarrassed by the popular desire for
free silver coinage. In support of this view it
is urged that sound-money Democrats have al
ready begun to show that they will stick to
their party and fight for it, even if it puts up
silver man on q silver platform, and that the
Republicans will be obliged to meet such dis
honest ignoring of the question with some
measure of evasion or prudence.
These calculations leave out OF sight ques-
ton or principle and a practical contingency
which may prove extremely important. 1t is
not possible for the Republicans to pass in
silence the question OF silver coinage and no
obligation can be higher than to state with
honesty the principles by which they will be
governed. The entire history of the party has
been distinguished by manly candor in stating
its beliefs and unflInching fidelity in carrying
out its pledges. For forty years its opponents
have labored in vain to entang.e the Republi-
can party in tricky statement or disregard
of promises, and the votes IN states where
people are free to vote stand as proof that no
charge of that nature has ever had weight
with public opinion. There will not be this
year a beginning of Republican bad faith or
eowardice. The party has clearly defined and
strong convictions on the money question, ana
cannot help stating them.
The Money Plank Must BE an Honest
One.
Chicago Tlmes-Herald.
The money plank adopted by the Republi-
cans OF Maine reads:
We are opposed to the free and unlimited coin
age of silver, except by international agre Mt,
and until such agreement can be obtained we be-
lieve that the present gold standard should be
maintained.
That is a very good platform. 1t would be
more terse If it read: 1--WE believe that the
present gold standard should be maintained
and we are opposed to the free and unlimited
coinage of silver"
Every reference to an International agree
ment is shifty and futile. 1t deceives nobody,
because every one knows, first, that there is
not the slightest possibility of an international
agreement at any ratio, and, secondly, that II
such an agreement were formally entered into
no Government could be bound 10 abide by 1t
a day longer than its own industrial or COM
mercial interests would appear to warrant.
The money plank at st. Louis should not be
lncumbered with redundant words or 1rreVe-
want allusions. What the people want is an
honest, plain, unequivocal affirmation Of the
single principle OF the present gold standard
and an absolute negation of the free coinage OF
silver at any ratio.
The Maine platform is good. but it would be
better without redundancy and irrelevaney.
The ST. Louis plank must be the best that can
be contrived Tor the understanding OF the plain
people. 1t must be plain, like them. 1t must
be without subtlety, as they are. 1t must be
STRAIGHTFORWARD, as the people are. 1t must be
honest; the people are honest.
No redundancy at st. Louis No ambiguity!
No subtletyi