Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1896-09-05
An Open Letter to the Popocratic
Candidate for the Presi-
dency.
SOME PERTINENT QUESTIONS.
Apprehension Excited by Campaign
Utterances Refuses to be
AlIayed.

questions 10 him, and urges him to
answer them if he wants to be elected,
as the people are pondering those very
points, and their votes will turn. OIL. how
they are answered and explained by
him. The readers of the Tribune snould
peruse this editorial which is reprinted
here in connection with Bryan's speech
at Madison Square garden last night.
The World says, under the caption
"To Mr.. Bryan"
To Mr.. Bryan: On the 10th of July,
the very day of your nomination for
ton to the World in the following words:
To the World: The restoration of silver to
Its ancient place by the side OF gold VIII, IN
my judgment, restore the parity between
turn of general prosperity. The World;
which did such effective work in behalf OF
an Income tax, will find still larger heid edo. Oh
usefulness in supporting the gold ana silver
'''""s' u '"e 'O"SShH WILLIAM j. BRYAN.
The World has conscientiously consd-
cred your courteous request: 1t has
carefully studied your speeches made
during and since the Chicago conYen-
ton. 1t has studiously examined your
record in Congress. 1t has impartillly
traced your career as politician,
lawyer, an orator and editor, in order TO
obtain an understanding of your real
Characteristic hardest thing in the
world to ascertain concerning any man:
1t has published every word that could
be obtained from your eulogists ana as
sociates, with the same end in view. 1t
has done all this in the sincere hope that
the knowledge gained or Impressions re-
eeived would relieve the fear and appre-
hension excited by some of your utter
ances, and particularly by some parts of
the Chicago platform, on which you
stand.
In this connection it is only just to
..,.I tl,nf tNlo IL in fhn
go platform seeming to reflect upon the
integrity of the Supreme court and in
dicating purpose to pack that tribunal
in order to secure desired decision,
and the other resolution denouncing
government by injunction" have been
severely criticised by conservative and
law-abding citizens. The people have a
highest court, even when they are dis
appointed in their decisions. They
would be glad to hear your interpreta-
tion of the resolution, which is generally
accepted as a stupid and Incorporate
attack upon the Supreme court and the
avowal of the purpose to reconstruct it
in accordance with the beliefs of the
platform makers should your election
present the opportunity. Is this your
understanding?
Definition is also called for of the
resolution denouncing arbitrary inter-
ference by federal authorities in local
matters" This is generally believed to
mean "free riot with free silver" as
we'll as sympathy with lawlessness and
disapprobation of President Cleveland's s
action at the time of the Chicago strike.
Yet all who believe in law and order
as the very life and root-basis of civil
ized government regard this as one of
the most highly creditable acts of his
administration. What is your view of
it?
Are you, Mr.. Bryan, for actual and
practical bimetallism-the equal coinage
of gold and silver at a ratio that will
permit the free circulation of both money
metals, as the ratio of 16 to / has never
done? When you say that you favor
free coinage by the United States with
out waiting for the aid or consent of
any foreign government, do you mean
that the concurrence of the great COM
mercial nations with which we trade is
not desirable and even indispensable if
the country is not to sink to a silver
basis? Do you really favor the none
tary isolation of the United States in
the family of great nations? Do we not
want our money to be accepted at its
face value all over the world? You in
sist upon ''the right of the peo-
pie of the United States to legslate
for themselves upon all questions
This right is not questioned by any,
so far as we know. But the right does
not imply the duty or the wisdom. Con.
gresss has the right, to declare that ouI
surplus agricultural products shall be
sold abroad. But would such an asser.
ton of national independence benefit
the country! Would it have helped the
farmers of the United States to have
had the $S,O00,O0O,O00 of exports in
the last ten years kept in the home mar
ket, or to have sold them for a depreci
of xx-hiIa hnuipo ~,
gold prices? If you would not favor tn,
isolation of the United States VIII,
should you desire its financial isolation
In the interest of clear understand
ing of your position, and to allay if pos
sible the fear and apprehension whicl
You know to exist, will you answer thes
questions in your acceptance of the presi
dental nomination, which you are abou
to deliver? You must perceive in tn
preparations for a second Democratic
ticket, and in the divisions and distraC
tions among your Populist and Demo
cratic supporters at the South, growing
danger to your cause. We assume tha
you wish to be elected. These are som
of the points upon which you can sc
cure votes by allaying apprehensions
You may also be able to do this by reply
ing to these questions, suggested by YOU
telegram to the World:
/. When in the history of this countr
has silver occupied Its ancient Dlac
by the side of gold?" Has there eve
been time when the two metals circu
lated upon equal terms as full legal
tender money, with the nints open t
the free and unlimited coinage of both
If so, when was 1t?
2. You say that the restoration of tina
condition will, in your Judgment, "r.
store the parity between money an
property" Will you kindly explain wha
you mean by this? What is the "parit
between money and property?" Do yo
mean that the restoration" will put u
prices, undo the cheapening effects of in
proved machinery, transportation, etc
and increase the cost of living to a
classes of the community? If so, wi
you kindly explain how this increase
the cost of all commodities is likely
promote "a return of general prosper
ty?" Will the workingman, whose wag,
are stationary or nearly so, be mac
more prosperous by having to pay mo
for his -four, meat, groceries, chicken
eggs, fruits, vegetables, clothing, hous
hold utensils, rent, and all the rest of Il
Will even the farmer be better off vii
a 0ouble Drice for his nrndnca in N