Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1896-05-26
A STRONG PLEA FOR SILVER.
How the People Have Been I'm.
poverished.
THE RESULT OF FALLING PRICES
Baneful Effect Of Legislating For the
Few Rather Than the Many.

something OF Interest to Wage Farmers
and Farmers-The Logic Of BimetaIiism.
Speech Of W. n. Harvey, Author Of
"Coin's Financial School," at Greenville,
o., May I6, 1895, Before the Order of
Patriots of America.
Mr.. CHAIRMAN, LADIES AND GENTLE
MEN, AND MEMBERS OF THE ORDER OF THE
PATRIOTS OF AMERICA--I have come to
your county to speak here today, to en-
courage your unselflsh citizens who have
raised the standard of an order intended
to regulate the civic conduct of the nation
and to free our government from the COZ
troll Of all selfish organizations.
When great questions have pressed them
selves upon the United States, the people
Of Ohio have been true to the traditions of
Jefferson and Lincoln. When questions
affecting the liberties of the people and
the existence of the republic have demand
ed verdict, the people of Ohio have spo-
ken intelligently on the side of humanity.
Individual selfshness orystallised into
laws has been the cause Of the downfall Of
all republics. When the people Of repub-
lie, by example and training, become wor-
shippers of mammon, all laws are made and
construed for the accumulation and pro-
lection Of property Interests and the prin-
ciples Of humanity are neglected. 1t is the
crucial period In the history of republic.
In the history Of the world no people of a
republic have ever successfully met and
overthrown the spirit of seLfshness. In
the history of popular governments selfish
ness has manipulated the lawmaking pow
ona nd Obj NOD ha tv of tho
into the hands of the few. Then came dis
tress and riots and the claim that the re-
public was a failure, and then came mon
archy.
Spirit of MRmmonisra.. ..-.-s-s
It is q spirit of mammoniEm that causes
us to worship wealth and the opinion of
those who possess wealth. The men OF
wealth are the BEST business men we have,
but the least capable of understanding the
principles upon which a republic is
founded.
The men to whom refer wish laws that
encourage unbridled selfishness. Such
men are the enemies Of republics. Their
opinions are not the opinions that the
masses of the people should follow.
We are living under laws that are max
ing their impress upon our civilization;
that, if further permitted, will result as
fatally to our republic and to human hap
piness as have the feudal laws of Europe
and any that have overthrown the repub-
lies of the past
We have learned, however, in this repub-
lie what the people of other republics dis
covered too late to save their free institu-
tions-that selfish interests may capture
not only individuals, but organizations
More than one political organization in
the United States is today struggling in
the tolls of a selfish class.
The unselflsh people are looking on with
mingled feelings of anxiety and humilia-
ton. The unreeling of the weeks and
days is now bringing us to the time when
manhood will sit in judgment on the ac-
ton of the pretended leaders Of the people;
when men will decide for themselves
whether their political party is to carry
them with selfish interests.
Chief among the laws affecting our oiv-
ilization, defended by selfish interests, Is
our financial laws, and that brings me to
the subject uppermost IN the minds of the
American people
am going to present today in the brief
space of a speech, the side Of the people In
this issue, now on trial in the republic. I |
do not hope to reach those who are seeking |
to promote their selfish vanity, or those |
who are consciously or unconsciously seek |
ing to promote their selfish interests. My |
appeal will be to the unselfsh American
people who recognize the principle that |
man serves himself best by promoting the |
common good.
The Importance of Money.
Money is the blood Of commerce, the life |
giving fluid Of civilization, the vital Or
oanism in our. social existence. You can
do without wheat, corn, beef or any other
single commodity classed among the ne
cessities of life and yet be healthy and
happy, but you cannot imagine yourself
part of civilization and DO without money.
You can do without wheat by using corn
or rioe for bread; you can do without beef
by usipg pork or mutton for. meat, but
you cannot be partof civilization and do
without. nfoney. Without money society
would 20 back TO barbarian. 1t Is the
most important iactos We havein civiliZa-
ton and may well be TERMED the blood OF
1t is anindispensable neoes-
atty to civilization.
One of the rules that should be applied
30 any necessity Is that vhere should be a
normal quantity Of It, There is necessity
for 30 much bread. There 10 also neoes-
sity for O normal supply Of money IL there
were laws other than the laws OF barter
the boarding of wheat that
operated to store 1t awayin elevators while
people suffered for the want OF 1t, you
would be in favor of repeating those laws.
II there was not enough Of 1t raised to feed
he people, you would be In favor OF rails
ng more OF 1t. H we have laws that en-
courage the boarding If money, the great
'st Of necessities, and diverting u from she
,hsppels OF trade by which the people