The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-06-20

| HliutS 10 the Tree ana Independent COM
age of silver at a ratio of is to 1, when
the commercial ratio in all the great
markets Is 30 TO /, and at the same time
not drive every dollar of gold out of cir
culaton. but deceive themselves.
Great and splendid and powerful as
our government is. IL can not accomplish
the impossible. 1t can not create values
1t has not an alchemist's subtle art of
transmitting unlimited silver into gold,
nor can 1t, by omnipotent fiat, make 80
cents worth 100 cents. AS well undertake
by resolution of congress to suspend
the law of gravitation as attempt to
compel an unlimited number of so cent
dollars to circulate with 100 cent dollars
at parity with each other. An at
tempt to compel unlimited dollars of
parity is bad in morals and is vicious IN
policy. Sound thinkers upon the great
question of the currency know from the
beginning of the experiment how miser-
ably and certainly it would fail The
commerce of the country would be again
thrown upon the sea of uncertainty, and
the specter of want would continue 20
haunt us for years to come.
Upon opening our minis to the indie
pendent free coinage of silver, foreign
credits would be withdrawn and domestic
credits would be greatly curtailed. More
than this. there would be certain and
sudden contraction of our currency by
the expulsion of 1920 100000 of gold; and
our paper and silver currency would in
stantly and greatly depreciate in pur-
chasing power. But one result would
follow this-enterprise would be further
embarrassed. business decentralization
would be increased, and still further ana
serious injury would be inflicted upon
the laborers, the farmers. and all those
whose welfare depends upon a whole
some commerce.
"A change from the present standard
70 h. ILL ID.
down the recompense of labor. reduce
the value of the savings in savings
banks and building and loan associa-
tions salaries and incomes would
shrink; pensions would be cut in two;
the benefciaries of life insurance would
suffer; in short. the injury would be so
universal and far-reaching that a radi-
cal change can be contemplated only
with the gravest apprehension.
"A sound currency is one of the essen
| tial instruments in developing our COM
merce. 1t is the purpose of the repub-
| lican party not only to develop our do
nestle trade, but to extend our COM
merce to the uttermost parts of the
earth. We should not begin our contest
| for commercial supremacy by destroying
| our currency standard All the leading
powers with which we have to compete
suspended free silver coinage when the
| increased production of silver forced the
| ldNlO u SILVER dDONt
the coming ratio to gold. Sh al
we ignore their ripe experience?
! Shall we attempt what they have
, found utterly impossible? Shall II
| be said that our standard is below
! theirs?
You can not build prosperity upon
| debased or fluctuating currency. AS well
undertake to build upon the changing
sands of the sea. A sound currency de-
| frauds no one. 1t is good alike in the
| lands of the employee and employer. the
| laborer and the capitalist. Upon faith in
| its worth, its stability, we so forward
| planning for the future. The capitalist
erects his factories, acquires his mate
| rails. employs his artisans mechanics
and laborers. He is confident that his
margin will not be swept away by huc-
tuations in the currency. The laborer
! knows that the money earned by his toll
| is as honest as his labor and that it is
of unquestioned purchasing power He
likewise knows that it requires as much
| labor to earn poor dollar as "A good
one and he also knows that il poor
| money is abroad. it surely finds its way
into his pocket. We protest against low
/ ering our standard of commercial honor.
| We stand against the democratic attempt
to degrade our currency to the low level
of Mexico. China. India ana Japan The
! present high standard of our currency,
| our labor and our flag will be sacredy
| protected and preserved by the republic
can party.
There are many and important ques-
! tons requiring enlightened and patriotic
judgment of the republican party pam
| American commercial alliance was con-
ceived by James q. Blaine, and the
| highest motives of self-interest require
us to accomplish what he had so well
| begun.
The Monroe doctrine must be firmly
| nd ba Of h.,
| made TO respect this great and unwritten
law. There can be no farther territorial
ACKNOWLEDGMENT by foreign governments
on the western continent.
"Our devotion to the pensioners Of the
| nation was never more emphatic nor
more necessary than now. The repub-
lican party believes in the development
of our navy and merchant marine until
| we establish our undisputed supremacy
upon the high seas.
THE struggle for Cuban liberty enlis.s
the sympathy of the republican party a
| party which has given to liberty its full
| est meaning on this continent. We wish
| to see a new republic born on Cuban
soil to greet the new century. whose
dawn is already purpling the east
| My friends, the campaign of 1896 IS
| upon us. The great questions for debate
| in the august forum of the United States
| are free trade and free silver against
a protective tariff and sound money. As
| we regard our homes and our honor our
| happiness and prosperity, and the future
| power and majesty of the republic let
US dedicate ourselves to the restoration
of a protective tariff which shall be gem
timely American, and to the maintenance
| of an honest standard of value with
which to measure the exchanges of the
people
I'VE wish to see a new republic born