The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-09-15


crisis that this country mas ever r1lcoun
tered. II docs not, in my judgment. in
volve any political controversy nor any
question of the supremacy OF party for
such considerations are lost sight OF IN
the far greater gravity of the situation.
The real issue is one upon which all
patriotic men and all who are interested
in the prosperity aud welfare OF the
country should find themselves upon
one side and opposed to "A common en-
envy. The attack that we have 20 resist
is not upon the policy but upon the life
OF the nation. for they would take ITS
life who destroy the means by which IL
liyes-the business of many thousands
and the industry of millions. On these
we are all, whether rich or poor, high
or low, alike dependent. Those who are
independently rich are very few in pro-
portion TO the 20, 900, 900 OF American
people, the vast majority OF whom gain
their living by some form or other OF
useful employment. That there should
be prosperity in some of these employ
ments and not in others, or among one
class Of people and not among others, Is
impossible, for they all rest upon a
common foundation and are affected by
the same considerations. Cuisines" Is
generic term and comprehends all
lawful industries When it is stimulat-
ed, all profit; when it is depressed, all
suffer. No part Of the body can escape
the effect of a general paralysis or fail
TO get the benefit of general good
health. When business fiourishes, the
laborer is in demand; when 1T declines,
he stands idle in the market place.
Business of whatever sort in coun-
try like ours, rich in resources, full OF
energy and vitality, with all harvests
| everywhere ready for the sickle, rests
| chiefly upon two factors-publlc conf
| dence and sound and stable currency.
| When either is-and much more when
both are-impaired CT even grayely
threatened, business suffers. general de-
preston comes, labor declines, and the
wolf approaches many a door. Without
confidence there can be no credit, nc
enterprise. Capital is boarded, sent
abroad or lies idle, and all industries
diminish or cease, and the surest way
the world has ever seen to destroy conf
dence is to debase the currency and to
make it uncertain from day to day how
much a dollar is worth and how MUCK
it is going to count for in the near flu
ture-to take away, as is now proposed,
one-half its value TO begin with and tt
set the other half to fluctuating TO al
indefinite extent, with the rising ant
the setting of the sun and the approach
Of every storm.
There is, therefore in my judgment
| no man more criminal or who is wors'
public enemy than he who engages IL
or countenances that infamous and de
structive attempt, because the less
man has, or the less he earns, the NOR
necessary it is to him that the value OF
that little should be maintained ant
made sure, and that the few dollars Il
his pocket should be as good dollars a
there are. AS well might the steerag
passengers in vessel in midocean
weary of their privations, be melted b
some mischief maker to scuttle the shi
in order to drown the inmates Of tn
more luxurious cabins, unconscious thu
, they themselves must be equally the VIZ
|. tins of the common calamity.
The party is already hopelessly di
rupted on the issue presented. We Cal
: not follow both its divisions at the san
time, however desirable it might b.
: since they are moving in opposite dire
7 tions. On the one side are the old tin
honored principles of the party, undo
!, which all its great traditions have bee
generated, and which all its illustriol
leaders have advocated Chief and for
most among these principles always
|. times past has been the maintenance
. sound and honest money, of dollars TIL
are dollars, of national stamp upt
them that does not lie.
On the same side are its most trusts
70 present statesmen and leaders, and
y very large proportion at the least OF !
= better and most instructed elemen
- Which way shall we 60, then, since
- cannot 90 both ways? With its state
men or with its camp followers? Wi
40 its principles or with its organi zati'
:. stampeded and graded by its enemle
% In which direction lies the future OF {
party if it is to have any future? Al
who are they who will control it hei
20 after, "when this tyranny shall be owe
- past?" Let no man be afraid to be rig
- ON this question, for it is the right tn
=. ~ will triumph in the end, whether 1t
- forms the party or destroys it,