The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-10-11

why virginia Democrats Cannot Afford to
Vote lar Bryan.


why virginia Democrats Cannot Afford TO
Nofe iar Br5 An.
Editor OF The Times.
sr,-Having been asked FOR public ex-
preston of my views concerning the pres
ent political campaign. 1 take the liberty
OF giving them through tie columns OF
your ya!uable paper. which have AWAY IS
found TO be just. ANA willing 70 uea.
sQuarely with both SIDES OF question:
Ina the first place, 4 an stion5l. OPP
posed 10 the Chicago PLATFORM because
the doctrines therein rtoiAui5-lc4 are al-
tceethcr un-Democraut, ,and which, az
put into force Will. ln my judgment De
disastrous to the welfare OF our people
and our country. 1 was bred ana Dorm III
virginia and nave always Dcen warm
admircr aud supporter Nu quiet way
OF the great principle OF Democracy, Dc
lieying that uDOn their ultimate success
depends the continued bio" ~ an" lAY'-
ptrlty OF our Government WAlch mas Dcth
50 wisely and eCuitauly adjusted by our
fore fathers, that IL has been compared 10
some vast "DruidlcM ROCK, 80 dcncalciy
adjusted that the breath OF an infant
might move IL, whilst tue widest storms
OF faction and fau4l-lsM break over II
in vain.
entertain no less affection for those
principles to-day, therefore. II l can, 10y
word or deed. influence even one or my
countrymen TO aid in deleauns the cleo
ton OF Messrs Bryan and oeWaN, j snail
feel that | have rendered my country
goo! service. l shall never surrender my
iucependoI ce L. any party, political or
Otherwise nor shall 1 ever recognize the
authority or right of any convention TO
destroy ny Individual rieht OF Suffrage,
and bind me 10 vote Tor tie enforcement
Uton my people oi principles which 4
believe to be injurious % their interests,
and unless | II istake the disposition ana
temperament OF the people or the ylu
Dominion they viii not prove false In No
vember. next 10 those Democratic prin-
ciples. fer which they have laDorec Tor
so many years-frOm the days OF Jeuer-
sen 10 now.
We are asked by Mr.. Bryan and his
advocates to take independent action ana
vote for the free and unlimited coinage
of silver and gold at the ratio of JOB % !.
What dCes this neant For answer 4
choose d adCDt the exact words OF au-
other. which, upon inycstsauon, 1 ind TO
be correct:
"lt means that sixteen ounces OF silver
should ba worth as much as one ounce
OF cold Ooe ounce OF standard gold VIII
coin in gold dollars $500 sixteen ounces
OF standard silver will coin $3.50 IN silver
dollars. These sixteen ounces Of silver
can be bought IN the markets OF the world
10 day for 1914. There would. therefore,
be a profit of Ss.e6 on an investment or
1884 being about ST per cent. II hold
er of silver could take IL 20 the mint and
coin Il without charge into silver dollars.
The advocates Of free coinage favor
law that will allow any holder OF silver
bullion-or. in fact silver OF any kind (as
the latter can readily be melted into bars,
the right 10 take the same 20 any mint OF
the United States and convert Il into sill
yer coin free OF charge. and force 50
cents worth OF It upon his creditors as
dollar"
The argument Is advanced all over the
country that the United states Is large
enough and great enough 20 give a Ger
tain value TO silver the world over. with
out waiting for joint action on the mt
OF the great nations or the earth. J cam
not agree with this contention. nor can
those who undertake 70 support Il do more
than conjecture end advise a change Of
our financial system by way OF an expert
ment The annual silver product OF the
world e now 17f.79fSl5 ounces. and call
upon these who favor such a doctrine
TO exnlain to those who are asked 20 sun
port Il. how long tho United States. with
the present annual production OF gold.