The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-08-08
THE TRUE ISSUE.
An Old jackson Democrat Gives
His Views ON the Leading CUES
ton of the Day.

| The main pOl1lICdl ISSUE uOm DCAOAC ~ ~
decide is the Financial one evidently. The
Republican Platform is for the Single Gold
Standard as it now prevails in this country
and Europe; at least until Silver can be re-
monetized by international agreement, which
may not be for years and may not be forever.
The platforms of the Democratic party, and its
Allies. declare for sound money, of both Gold
and Silver, at once, without waiting for the
consent of other nations; believing that it is
ever our duty to strike for the Truth; and ex-
pect other nations, who have also erred, to
follow our example in the way back to the
right path, sooner than they will if we con-
tinue to waste more precious time IN clubbing
about it.
All profess to be in favor of restoring BIZ
metallism, on parity of gold and silver money,
as it existed amongst us before 1873, at the
ratio of I6 ounces of silver to ounce OF gold.
The Democratic Platform declares for it now;
the Republican Platform refuses to take the
first step back to retrieve the mistake of the
past, if it be one, and proposes to continue
indefinitely the war on silver.
Who is right? That is the question. The
| Constitution of the United States, when 1t
declares that Congress shall have the power
''to coin money and regulate the value there
off, and forbids the States from making any
| thing but ''gold and silver" (meaning the
| COlu vi tuC u -. -hihtf -. -
the payment of debts,' evidently intended to
secure to our people both gold and silver as
an abundant and safe basis for our circulating
currency, so necessary for the transaction OF
business, and the equal welfare of all classes
of our people. This has been seriously de-
parted from, both by Congress, and the de.
cision of our Courts, for many years past; and
grievous have been our Affections suffered
most probably on account thereof. Other
causes there doubtless are; but the people are
greatly agitated at the present time, and much
inclined to believe that nearly all the evils
that this people, so highly favored by Prov
dence among the nations ofthe earth, are now
suffering, arise from the depreciation of prices
of all our productions, owing to the demonetl-
cation of silver, and the striking down of at
least one-half of the money basis OF our
country.
COLD and silver, so well suited by their
natural qualities, have ever been the estab-
lshed money basis of credit in all the world;
at least down to 1916 when Great Britain es-
tablished gold as the only standard of value;
in which she was followed in subsequent years
by France, Germany and other nations of
Europe; and finally by the United States;
which is said to have given silver It's final and
most deadly blow in 1873, almost without
knowing what she doing, or apprehend-
ing Its fearful consequences.
1t seems that the entire value of all the gold
and silver production ofthe world TO the pres
ent time is about equal. The trade and com
merce of the world and the exchange of
commodities between people of the same ma
ton. especially our own, require such vast
amounts of the precious metals on which to
base the paper credits necessarily used, that
the striking down of one-haf thereof, must
not only destroy much of the value of the dis
carded metal as commercial commodltyi
but also reduce the price of all property.
Silver since 1873 has been reduced by the
gold standard nearly fifty cents in the dollar,
and SO has the farmers land and productions;
whilst gold, the standard measure, is cornered
some where. In fact, with abundant products
of the earth, nobody now seems to prosper
but the money lender, the capitalist and those
who have fixed salaries and incomes. The
millionaire and the favored classes have not
much to complain Of but the farmer and the
toiling masses generally are suffering. The
poorer classes are compelled TO economise,
and trade of every kind languishes. People
must do their own work, and multitudes are
thrown out of employ, or must accept reduced
wages. People are suffering every where IN
our land-many in fact starving in the midst
of plenty all around them-mainly from want
of employ, and often because their cases are
not made known to the kind and charitable.
Now | will not undertake to say that all this
| is owing to the demonstration ofsilver. Much
| of it surely is, for common sense tells us that
! if we take away from silver its use as money,
and confer all that loss in value on its run
ming mate, gold, we take all from one and
| heap il on the other This wrongful act must
unsettle many other things. So much none
can doubt Hence it is necessary for every
| body to weigh well the matter and do what is
right.
The Democratic platform demands the i'm
mediate return to Bimetallism-at the rate OF
| 10 ounces of silver to ounce of gold-that
being the legally established ratio in this
country. The free silver men believe that
the parity of the two metals may be accom-
plished at once; and it cannot be well denied
that their reasons are very plausible. But
one thing is very certain, that we cannot tell
| till we try it; and that the reconciliation of
silver must surely raise its value, at least as
fast as its demonotization sunk Utmost pro-
badly much faster. The sound money men,
as they call themselves, assume that they are
infallibly right, and forget that they are but
adding to the crime against silver by holding
on to gold as the only sound money. They
have inflicted all the loss on silver by its de-
monetization, and refuse to aid in the step
necessary to undo the wrong. Yet they most
| ly pretend that they are in favor of Bimetal-
| ism. That is the present attitude of the Re-
publican party | know the production of
silver. since 1873, has greatly increased; and
gold has increased probably more than it.
/ This increase of silver as the gold men assert,
may have some influence in the depreciation
by destroying its money power. The increase
| of both gold and silver ought to be more ia
vorable. | should think, to the increase of
money and the relief of all from hard tim es,
than otherwise They are fond of asserting
that the object of Silver men is to pay off
gold debts with fifty cent dollars; when they
must known that the real object is to restore
silver to par with gold, as it was in 1873, and
make it fully as sound as gold in paying any
debts. They also pirate much of the incl
dental advantage silver miners would receive
and forget the monopoly of profits their course
| gives to gold miners. Give all their due and
| no more.
1t is possible that the parity of silver with
gold cannot be fully restored at once; but that
will depend much on the course of the imam
eial leaders and capitalists, whose prejudices
may induce them to continue their selfish
policy even to their own hurt. Not likely,
however At all events the first step in the
right direction is bound to be taken. The
country is not in the mood for delay.
In human affairs, relating to this world and
the next, men have to act and determine much
in the dark. It is so on this question. There
is much honest difference Of opinion, doubt
less, prevailing amongst us on the subject.
But there can be no doubt, if wrong or mis-
takes have been made, tits the solemn duty of
all to take at least the first step to retrieve the
error. In that celebrated hymn of the late
Cardinal Newman, entitled LEAD, Kindly
Light he said ''amid the encircling gloom"
''0ne steps enough for me-" So, in this
hour of darkness and confusion of opinions,
we are bound to take the first step now offered
in the direction of the Light and Truth.
When the first step is taken, we may be able
to see clearly the next step to be taken in the
right direchon-perhsps not till then.
In former time Of great political excite
ment, great statesman was it Clay or Web
| ster 2l heran q sneech with the words 1--WE