The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-12

Striking Editorial Comments In OPposi-
ton to the Chicago Platform.

ton to the Chicago Platform.
So the Bryanites are already talking
about getting out an injunction to keep
the National Democratic party from
using that name. What? And these
are the same gentry who only one month
ago built n platform against government
BY injunction" louisville Courier-Jour-
nal.
The old Democratic ideal was the
largest measure OF individru liberty
compatible with the genera welfare, but
the Democratic party in the United States
IA apparently at present under the IN
fluence CT tendency wholly at war with
the demand for the defence OF individual
ism at all costs. IL II repeats the Old,
tme-honored phrase. the largest meas
ure OF individual liberty compatible with
the general welfare" IL seems 10 regard
that largest measure as something mat
has dwindled 10 scant proportions under
the pressure OF the worlds advance and
n seems willing 20 surrender an mol
yidual liberty for the sake Of being sup
norte1 bv a Maternal government or some
thing OF that sort.-New orleans pea
yune.
The proceedings OF the National Demo-
cratic Sound Money Committee. at lndi-
anapolis. give unmistakable evidence OF
the earnestness and sincerity OF the men
who arc determined TO save Democracy
from the stigma OF the umdemocratc Ut
terances promulgated by the PoDocratio
gathering which attempted 10 masquerade
as Democratic convention. Chicago
Times-Hcrald.
4 correspondent. wiro sends MS several
questions which we have answered re
Gently. adds this: "You speak Of the
party departing frrm the faith OF JEFF
ferson and Jackson; did we not have a
double standard during their time2'
The faith Of jefferson was that dollar
mtssq have n dollars worth OF metal IN ".
He devoted much time and research 70
oscortainina- the commercial value OF gold
and silver In the markets OF the world.
He wrote: Just principles viii lead MS
10 disregard legal proportion al0ogeuher'
10 inquire into tho market price OF gold IN
the several countries with which we shall
be principally connected IN commerce. and
to take the average from them"
The meaning Of this was simply thai
gold and silver should be coined at their
bullion value. The silveritcs will net
hear this. they wish 10 coin silver at
twice it's value. Jefferson was anxious %
put the truth on tho silver dollar the
silverites advocate a policy which viii
result I'm stamping a lie upon n.
n should also be remembered that JET
ferson stopped the coinage OF the silver
dollar. and this order remained in force
nos only during the remainder Of his
administration. but for thirty years
What hypocrisy IT is. then. for tho Popu-
lists 10 claim any interest I'm jefferson.
any sympathy either with his views or
practice. Suppose Cleveland had stopped
tho coinage OF the silver dollar during
his first term. without the assent -
Congress. as jefferson aid. What would
they have said Of him. jefferson went
much farther than Cleveland ever did
when without any change IN the law. be
closed tho minis 10 the coinage Of the
silver dollar jefferson was strenuous
opponent Of paper leeal-tender cur
rency and equally opposed 20 the circu-
lafion of money that was not worth IFS
face value. Yet Populists say the Gov
eminent has the sole power 70 issue
moncy.-Louisville Courier Journal.
In January. 1862. IL was proposed TO
make the greennacks legal tender for
all debts. public and private. A hot
'AAaA'tftFAA
days coslderation I'm Congress. the
bill was passed as war measure
warranted by the necessity which then
confronted the country.
1t should be remembered that this inn
mense issue of paper was mat money"
The groenbaack dollar never had cent
OF security Behind IL in the United
States Treasury. IL was a promise to
pay, pure and simple. and its value at
any given time. as well as its final re
demption. depended solely or the ability
Ct the Government 10 pay its debts. which.
boy the way, was not very promising in
1853.
The value OF the greenback dollar,
measured by the gold standard. was "a
cents in 1865; Il cents I'm 1856. and es
resumed specie payments, and tho
greenback currency returned TO par.
where 1t has since remained.
This financial chapter in American his
tory ought 20 bee carefully studied. for
20 serves 10 Illustrate what might take
place again through the unlimited coinage
Of silver at the arbitrary ratio of Is to IT,
Baltimore Herald.
Those who are blessed with good memo
ries and can recall the events Of the cam
paign Of 1854 Will remember that a. some
what similar EFFORT 70 impress New York
was made in that year. The greenback
movement was then marching % IT'S Wa
terloO lt was thought by the leaders
or the campaign that a charge must be
made upon the citadel Of sound money IN
The metropolis.
The day was set and meeting was
arranged for ia Union square Benjamin
j.. Butter. then in his prime. was chosen
10 ADDRESS the people. lie appeared Sep
TENDER 10th, and was greeted by one or
New York city. Enthusiasm was I'M
bounded, and General Buffers grafton
was compared 10 Ricnzis ldlross 20 the
Romans, OF 10 Patrick Hen.ys dery APP
pea 10 the Virginia House Of Burgessss
But the event proved that the assem-
Dlaee was moved more by a desire 20
see "Ben" Butler and 10 be thrilled by
his eloquerce than by any sincere be
lief i'm the "greouhack heresy." as 10 was
then called The party. representing the
idea OF unlimited issues OF paper was so
badly showed under In the following cleo
t.cn that 1t has never been heard OF
since.
The Morning Herald does not say. nor
does IL wish even 10 intimate that the
cause Of free silver has not greater con-
sistcncy than the grocnback movement
had. IL simply wishes 10 warn its readers
that exhibitions Of enthusiasm. such as
Mr.. Bryan has called forth, may be very
deceptive as indications OF prU.tc opin-
ion.
Curiosity undoubtedly moves men great
~. and part OF the price which Dir. Bryan
is 90 pay for his splendid theatrical at
tempt 20 capture the enemy IN his own
country is that he must speak before
an audience made up largely OF people