Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-12-13

OOlndg6-An AUQrSSS py CLoA
man Lane.
San Francisco December 12.-Charles
D. Lane, chairman OF the National BIZ
metallic committee, has issued the fol-
lowing address to the bimetallists Of
the United States:
"The contest OF 1896, which for some
months has engaged public attention,
was determined at the ballot box on the
Sd ult. in favor of the Republican can
didate
while the supporters of Mr.. Bryan
and the great principles which he es-
poused have no reason to regret the
effort made in his behalf, and which
we will renew when occasion requires
it. it is only the part of wisdom 10 ac-
Cept with the utmost good faith the de-
cision of the American people upon this
or any other question submitted to
their deliberative judgment which is
always sure in the end to be correctly
decided by that tribunal.
The cause of bimetallism which was
the watchword of the anti-Republican
forces, has not been abandoned by its
friends and advocates, nor are we dis
heartened or dismayed by this tempo
rary defeat. We are as firmly convlnc-
ed now of its ultimate triumph in the
United States as that the American
flag is the emblem of constitutional lib
erty, and while principle may, for
time be Overshadowed by sophistry and
truth obscured by the screen of decep-
tion or intrigue, they will finally rise
above the darkened horizon and assume
their rightful position as guiding stars
OF popular government.
The situation was met and antag-
onized by the combined wealth of two
continents. 1t was sought to be OBJ
scured by feigned issues, opprobrious
epithets, dishonest methods and parti-
san zeal, and every intrigue which
wealth could inspire Of ingenuity sug-
gest was brought into requisitiOn.
were as dishonest and unjust as the ad
vantage gained is fleeting and destined
to ultimate defeat.
The safety Of a government like ours
must depend upon the free and unUam-
meled exercise of the elective franchise,
where each citizen shall have the right
to exercise his choice without fear ac-
cording to his understanding of the
merits Of the contending parties Every
effort which appeals to the judgments
of the voters upon the issues to be de-
termined by their suffrages is within
the legitimate domain Of partisan eth
les. But when resort is had to the
pro6igate expenditure of money and
other less questionable. but equally pO
tent methods Of inducing the voter to
abandon his principles so much in ev-
idence in the last campaign, it is high
time for the people to set their seal
of condemnation upOu these practices,
which are subyersive Of popular gov
ernment and a menace to the perpet-
ulty of our free institutions. While we
as bimetallists still adhere 20 the con-
viction that ther can be no permanent
relief to the people based upon the
single gold standard, We at the same
time regard il as a duty eniOined upon
every citizen to do everything in his
power to assist the President-elect in
every effort to promote the welfare of
the people by any policy which he may
consider will accomplish the result.
'TO this end we earnestly advise all
our friends and coadjutors throughout
the United States to suspend active ag-
itation on the subject Of free coinage
of silver any further than a simple
mobilizing of the free silver clubs
throughout the Union and keeping up
the club rolls for future service. If It
can be demonstrated by actual eXper-
iment that the theories advanced by
the Republican party in the recent cleo
ton Will bring to the people the prom
ised relief, every bimetallist in the
United States Will be as free to ac-
knowledge his error as he was candid
in supporting his principles in the past
campaign. But if on the contrary, we
are furnished only with broken pledges
and the old makeshi1t of issuing bonds
in the vain attempt Of keeping up our
credit by running farther into debt is
again resOrted to, we promise to renew
the struggle until bimetallism shall
become an accomplished fact in the
United States.
AS national chairman Of the bimet-
allie party I call upon all its forces
throughout the United States. regard
less of past party affiliations. to accept
che result with dignity and forbearance
and to join in upholding the hands Of
Mai. Mckinley as President OF the
United States and to support him in ali
Of his efforts 70 increase the prosperity
and we'll being of the citizens of this
republic but I'm no manner to abate
their earnestness in the cause of free
coinage. so that when it shall again be
necessary to assert the principle we
may be in better condition from the
standpoint of organization than was
possible in the recent struggle"