The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-08-14
aEYAN,s POSITION.


Nevertheless, IL may be said TO be the de-
tense of the platform on which ne STANDS
and his position gives q new interest even
TO old arguments 1t is his presentation
OF the free silver side OF the question. and
forms a suitable source from which TO Sc
lect texts for a reply.
II will be observed that although II was
a long speech. the pertinent arguments
were limited. most OF the address consist
ing OF appeals on behalf OF those VINO
earn their living By the sweat OF their
brows''
Mr.. Bryan does NOT agree with some o.
the other free sliverites- 1t Is only few
days ago that the leader OF the Goats in
King county denounced the Post-1ntelli-
genesr as either wiItuiiy deceiving the
neopls or as an ignoramus for stating, In
almost precisely the same language as Mr..
Bryan used, the effect OF the mint stamp.
Doing so. he merely admitted propo-
sltlon which no student of money can fan
10 accept as almost self-evident-
But Mr.. Bryan then draws a false con-
clusion from true basis. and the whole
Of the remainder OF his theory Is, Of
course. tainted with the fallscy OF its
origin He quotes from two Republican
leaders In order to make IL appear that
they agree with him. The isolated cita-
tons might almost make one believe that
both Sherman and Blaine really argued
that free silver is the only salvation of
the country. Yet the remainder OF his
speech IN no more misleading than these
tricks OF the stump speaker.
Neither Of his quotations goes very
deeply into the subject: he dared not ven
turs very far, or the deception--for such
in measure II was-wouid have been ap-
parent. The reference to Sherman repre-
sents him as saying in 1859 that "eontrac-
ton of the currency In a far more distress
Ing operation than the senators suppose"
OF course. e IL true that contraction OF
the currency causes commercial disturb
ancs and even distress. But II is equally
true that imitation does the same. Mo-
body Is threatening or proposing contrac-
tion OF the currency. The silver currency
has been increased eighteen times as much
in ten years. since is7s. AZ in the eighty
years preceding that time.
Mr.. BRYAN is shocked At the idea Of ds-
stroying silver. Nobody wants TO destroy
IL; nobody seeks to depreclats It: the en-
tire policy and purpose OF the bi-metalllst
is that It shall be preserved. it's value up
held and It's present purchasing power be
maintained.
II al. that Mr.. Bryan says would result
from the free coinage OF silver at Is to l
were certain to follow, free coinage would
not have to wait for Mr. Bryan's election.
Even President Cleveland would be willing
stubborn as he Is said to bs--to call an
extra session OF congress and win eternal
fame by urging the passage OF free coin
age lay. II what Bryan says In true, ana
Cleveland were TO believe It and act upon
1t. all the nominating conventions OF the
year couldn't prevent Cleveland being re-
elsc;sd by defamation
II Ia because ali tho experiences Of the
past teaches us the contrary. because
the practice OF mankind does not conform
20 The lovely theories laid down by Mr..
Bryan: because the conviction OF the great
halk Of the people is that. whether Mr.,
Bryan Is only ambitious or is really honest,
or both. he Is mistaken-mistaken Just as
sluPendously &s when he appealed 10 the
people TO trust themselves to the virtues
of free trade. and prosperity would light
up every dsrkensd home and bring COM
fort to every ehesrieSs hearth.
Mr.. Bryan wants TO know what Il shall
prons az TO have = dollar which grows
more valuable every day. II such dollar
lowers the standard OF civilization aud
brings distress 70 the .pcopleg"
We want 20 know. too. what It shall
proag rs 20 have q dollar which grows
more valuable every day as prlces go up
las he says they willard i,s purchasing
power dselines9
what wtn /; Proat Us to have silver
dollar which brings our people to ne level
o. the masses OF every country where
free coinage ex,stsS
Which kind OF dollar would any seI:-
respecting man choose--that which has
made raen rich OF that whlch - thought
5000 enough fes the goors
The welfare 81 the nation. Mr. Bryan
says. depends anon the prosperity OF tAs
masses. ans aQon this truth proceeds 20
argue IN fsvor ~ money system which
one civilized nation after another has
abandoned. sound money men are rot
seeking 20 drive silver cut 81 circulation:
they are ssmaly DESTROYS Of avoiding such
measures ss sAaU make Il less valaahls
commercially thar geld II e not tAe
eQuAl q xal8 or ths ratio wpal3 - 20 |
It's relative value so ko,d hss ne; bean
arssrrugns3. sad aevsr All ae determined.
tv tAe proeoTsioas % sAeA Pat inso TIE
earth ~ Gods sorae % Bryan.s fol-
iswsss Asllsve-bsf ~ ghs proportions in
Nh,eh they are tskea oct y man sor use
sv snAa This has always been tas crs-
uriss axe when silver was as 70 . of
gets. untl ne pressns 1Ay. whsn Increased
p~csaesion Aas changed their relation
ana sn&ss 81 2 % silver - Q. g5ia.
No tAeery 90 so&aes. no system % gov
srnmsat. 70 iaseaaity - lAs. 10 tsrv.a-
~ % patriotism ear create ralas ~hisA
ase. ret -xtss A sa38os heavy purchase
z SILVER nlEAt raise - rs.ee. sst vats-
asSs roe SaeeN surely sn4 rs eva lsvsl
sA4n So vsies&
Az Bzyan IS ,assnlsas a4shy. ssaAss-
usA!s 80 "a ca ST. sA-ss shs sE.es -