Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-04-16
FREE SILVER.

on. We don't agree with them
personally on the silver question:
WASHINGTON, D. C. Apr. 9, go.
A. L. FoNTAINE, Esq,
Grand Rapids, Wisconsin.
DEAR SIR.-Your name has
been given to our Committee as
one interested in the silver
question, which indisputably the
paramount question before the
American people, and must so
remain until settled, and settled
rightly. The criminal attempt Of
creditors and money changers to
outlaw silver, and establish the
single and monetary standard of
gold, has brought ruin and dis
aster to all classes except Bond
Holders and Money Lenders.
After thirty years of peace and
abundant harvests, and the alb
sence Of all natural causes that
bring distress to nation or people,
we find our people generally in
great distress bordering on des-
pair.
In 1873 silver was outlaWed by
Act Of Congress without the
knowledge or consent Of our
people. Through the perhdy of a
few high officials, our government
was made to take the first step in
the great monetary revolution
which if persevered in must over
throw civilization.
This movement against the in
dustrial liberties of mankind was
lnstigated by combination of the
worlds large creditors-mostly
Jews-domiciled in the principal
cities of Europe, who now dictate
the financial policy of the govern
ments of the earth, and Of more
than our own. Since the adoption
Of the single standard of gold, our
people individually have been
sinking into debt, and the indebted
ness of the people of our country
to the people Of foreign countries
has grown until the demand
against US for interest and other
dues makes an annual tribute of
more than one million dollars per
day that our people must pay to
foreigners.
The price Of the average Of
American products has fallen one
half during this period.
If this policy is continued prices
must fall to at least one third
their present level, because the
worlds prices are sinking as the
gold standard is extended, and the
price of American exports must 60
low enough to force their sale
against the competition of all
other debtor nations in order to
discharge our foreign debt and
bring to our shores gold that will
stay with US. Besides, the differ
ence in exchange between gold
standard and silver standard
countries gives an advantage to
silver standard countries equal to
the difference between the market
value of silver bullion and the mint
price under free coinage, this gives
an advantage to silver standard
countries equivalent to bounty Of
one hundred per cent on their
exports, and has developed COM
petition from the Orient that has
for years been keenly felt by the
producers Of wheat and cotton,
and is being rapidly extended to
manufactures.
The changed conditions that the
past twenty years have brought
about our nation and people
being under heavy tribute on
account Of their debtor condition,
-endangers the homes of our
people and the peace and security
of society. The revolt against
these conditions, and the further
continuance Of the policy that is
responsible for them, is wide
spread, and the time has come for
patriotic men who love their
country and its institutions, and
the prosperity and happiness of
our people, better than a party, to
assert their manhood and redeem
their country.
The gravity of the situation
cannot be overestimated. Our
people are aroused and the contest
is on and the fate of popular
government among men is hang
ing in the balance.
We send you to-day under
another cover the report of the
proceedings of the recent silver
conference in this city together
with other document that explain
the purpose of our movement and
the plan of organization suggested
by our Committee.
The purpose Of this communi-