The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-08
Argument Against the Unlimited
Coinage of silver Dollars at the
Ratio of 16 to L.
SPEECH BY DR.. C. NJ. DEPEW
on THE EFFORTS OF MIR. BRYAN TO
CREATE PREJUDICE.
Address of Gen. Franz SigeI to HIS
Comrades in Arms and Sons of
Union Veterans.

BOSTON. Oct. An ovation which has
never been surpassed in enthusiasm was
that which awaited Hon. Thomas B. Reed,
Hon. Roger Wolcott and Senator Henry
Cabot Lodge in Music Hall here tonight
at the ratification Of the national and State
tickets by the Massachusetts Republicans.
The hall was simply packed with humanity
from floor to ceiling fully two hours before
the time for the meeting, while outside
thousands went away having no chance to
reach the inside of the building. In the
course of Senator Lodges speech he at
tackled the Democratic managers in New
York for issuing a parody on the Lords
Prayer for campaign purposes. and said
that no campaign carried on on those lines
could be successful.
Hon Thomas B. Reed was the last speak
er. His reception has never been surpassed
in this State Mr.. Reed said in part:
I'VE do not need to talk of protection for
this country, for three elections, each more
decisive than the other, has practically de-
termined that question. But the main ques-
ton now before us is the silver question.
tation in 1878. 1t has the same causes, and,
in my judgment, will have the same fate.
With the rising tide of busienss in 1879
which followed specie resumption Green
backism disappeared from the face of the
earth, perhaps never again to reappear. In
like manner when this election is over and
business reviVeS, this question of free coin
age of silver by the United States single
handed and alone will disappear from pub
lie and private discussion. Nor is the queS-
ton to-day half as difficult as the question
of 1873 1t is certainly not bimetallism. BIZ
metallism means the use of both metals
and not of one. 1t means the of both
metals by all of the civilized world, at
least. At this bimetallism Mr.. Bryan
sneers He says that it is establishing a
system in America with the consent of Eu-
rope, as if were vassals.' Had he said
agreement as does the Republican plat
form. he would have recognized both the
individuality of other nations and their
equality. Bimetallism, then is not the is
sue. L put aside III this talk about the rise
of the value of silver under free coinage to
meet the value of gold, and all the har-
mony that would come out of the marriage.
1T seems, then very clear, if we are to
credit history and experience, that if we
coin silver 16 to l. when it's market value is
90 to l, we should certainly go to a silver
standard, and that standard will be below
present one. Suppose we admit that
the Increased use of silver will raise its
price, even then no man in his senses would
think that it would bridge the chasm. Mr.
Bryan was nominated in July. In the
month of August the Pennsylvania rail-
road which is fair index of the business
of the country, lost more than one million
and a quarter of dollars. That means much
to a thinking man. If the shadow has done
this. what. l repeat will the substance do?
when all this has happened. where are
we? What are we doing it all for? Simply
and solely to get upon another basis. to
have our operations measured by another
what a terrible price should we pay A
furry. panic. scaling down of debts due
to worthy men and worthy institutions and
all to get to a standard less stable more
1uctuatng than we now have But we shall
not do this thing. The American people
have shown too much sense during hum
dred years of life to leave any chance for
doubt. We shall raise revenue which will
pay. our expenses and the United States of
America will take not the old place high
as it was but a loftier one among the ma
tons of the earth"