The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1896-12-18

one thinks that the fight for binet-
allisn is over, let him ask himself
when single defeat ever disheart-
ened such men as those who have
thus advocated free, unlimited and
Independent coinage? When mems
convictions are so strong that they
will face political defeat without
fliDching, defy financial despotism,
and risk social Ostracism in behalf
of cause, they do not surrender
because they lose one battle.
1t must be remembered further
that we fought against great odds in
the Middle states also. The Demo-
cratic party in Wisconsin and Min
nesota declared against silver in the
conventions which sent delegates to
Chicago. In Michigan the conven-
ton was nearly equally divided on
the money question, and there was
a bitter contest within the party in
Iowa, Indiana and Ohio. In Illinois
we were at great disadvantage be-
cause the influence of the Chicago
press was thrown almost entirely
against free coinage, and this influ-
ence pervaded nearly all the states
of the Upper Mississippi Valley.
Dads Against Us.
Throughout the entire Union the
trusts, corporations and banking in
terests were for the most part or
ganized against silver, and these in
terests could act in concert on a mo-
ment's notice, while prompt cooper
ton was difficult, if not impossible,
among the masses. The campaign
did not afford sufficient time to bring
clearly before the people an impor-
taut truth which investigation must
revel, namely, that on the money
owning classes are not Identical with
the interests of the wealth-produc-
ing classes. A dollar which increases
in purchasing power is an advantage
to those who trade in money and tc
those who hold fixed investments,
but is an injury to those who owe
money and must purchase it with the
proceeds of toll. 1t must be evident,
therefore, that the people Familiarity
known as financiers cannot be trust
ed to frame financial policy for the
whole people unless they are entire
ly free from the selfishness which is
generally supposed to be we'll nigh
universal trait of mankind. Money
loaners have never been known to
advocate laws reducing the legal
rate of interest; why should they be
expected to advocate financial sys-
tenn which will stop the apprecia-
ton of money?
The advocates of free coinage have
asserted that the gold standard is a
conspiracy organized by the great
financiers of the world to lessen the
volume of the worlds standard
money for the double purpose, first,
of raising the purchasing power of a
given quantity of money, and sec
ond, of making it easier to corner
the supply of standard money. The
advocates of free coinage believed
the charge when they made it, and
they believe it still. Inspired by
the conviction that they are labor
ing in behalf of a large majority OF
the people, not only here, but
throughout the world they will con-
tinue their fight, confident that -four
more years of experience will con-
vince many who have thus far re-
sisted argument.
Some of our opponents, rejoicing
in victory, are attempting to cry
down any further consideration oil
the money question. They complain
that agitation disturbs business
and they accuse the advocates oil
stirring up discomfort. The violent
Upithets used by some OF the wor.
shippers of gold recall the story oil
the London fish-wife who was re-
monstrated with for abusing an eel
She justified her language by saying
that the eel would not keep still
while she was skinning it. Those
who suffer because of the gold stand
ard can hardly be expected to keel
quiet and look pleasant while The
injury continues. Hard names dc
not relieve their sutferings. They
too, want confidence restored, but i
must be confidence that their con
dition will be improved-not tina
their lot will be made still harder
Agitation justified.
Agitation is the only means by
which wrong can be redressed under
our form of government. The mar
who denounces agitation simply op
poses the discussion of a public ques
ton, and the man who attempts II
put stop to the discussion of a pub
lie question confesses his hostility t,
our form of government. In q ma
ton where the people govern, the,
must be free to consider any subiec
which concerns their welfare. ThOs
who are disposed to suppress an.
further agitation upon the money
question should remember that tn
opponents of bimetallism have al
, ways been ready to agitate wheneve
they desired to secure legislation
During his first administration, MI
Cleveland recommended the suspen
sion of coinage under the Bland &C
those who supported him were no
, afraid of disturbing business then
During his second term he succeed
ed in securing the repeal of the puI
chasing clause of the Sherman lay
the Boards of Trade, theIChamber
of Commerce, the financiers and tn
/ gold standard press did not hesitat
; to disturb business then. All legis
lation temporarily disturbs bushes
} to greater or less extent, and We
: the Democrats (the gold Democrat
included) commenced agitating 70
the repeal of the Mckinley tart
! act as soon as it became a law, an
the Republicans (the gold Republi
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