The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-07-15
RIVER AT s A. NJ.
THEY ARE COMING.

Amid the rafting Of musketry all
along the line on the financial ques-
ton, which we are to continue to hear
for the next four months, the most
consoling reflection is the thought Of
the piping times Of peace that are sure
to follow We think there is no differ
ence Of opinion among the thousands
on either side as to the inestimable
value Of having this issue disposed Of
now for all time to come. Partisans
of the different financial schools are
equally positive in their assertions Of
the dire calamities that will follow if
their views are not carried into effect.
The opponents of the free coinage of
silver tell you that if Mr.. Bryan should
be elected on his 16 to / platform we
may expect a commercial and indus
trial panic and all the widespread
misfortune that would follow read
justment of our thousands of bust
ness interests to a new system and
different unit of value. But they will
also admit freely that If it must come
1t is better to have it over with, and
that when the new order shall have
become established it will at least be
far better than an indefinite continu-
ance Of the present regime of distrust,
disinclination to invest and stagnation
in every line and department of bust
ness The affairs of the United States
can be adjusted, they agree, upon any
basis, gold or silver or nickel or cop
per, provided 1t be certain. Let it
be assured that this country will go to
the silver basis and remain there for
some time to come and everything will
adjust itself eventually to the new con-
dition. Capital and credit will make
very different terms from those that
are offered now. They will assure their
own safety. No man will be able to
borrow dollar unless due provision
is made for paying back a dollar. even
though measured by a deprecated
standard. The necessities of the world
will see to it that such agreement is
carried out. Freedom of contract can
not be abridged, and on the new and
less favorable conditions that it will
prescribe capital will once more be
available for investment and business
enterprises go forward, because thew
can calculate upon stability of condi-
tions.
IT. on the other hand. as we have
no doubt will happen, it is settled for
good and all that the present system
of values is to be maintained, and that
we are to have the gold standard with
such use Of silver as is consistent
with maintaining its value at level
with that of gold, then the same re-
suits will follow without panic or dis
aster. AT last, the world. which has
been casting wary eyes at us these
many days as possible regulators of
our obligations, and which has had
haunting fear that we would even
tually go to the silver basis, will be
convinced. No such fight as is to be
made this year can be made and not
be considered final. Unless the free
silver cause can win in this campaign,
1t is ended. Its own supporters admit
that. If. therefore, it be defeated. the
boarded millions whose owners have
now put them beyond reach of possible
danger will come out Of hiding and
clamor and compete for employment.
There will be more money to loan and
to be used In building up new enter
prises than the country can use. For
eign investors who know that the most
remunerative properties in the world
are in the United States, and whose
hesitancy Is due solely to fear of flnan-
cial legislation, will then start the
golden tide moving in this direction
with such velocity and momentum that
the prices of all kinds Of properties
and the shares Of every solvent con-
Germ will move upward as they have
not done for nearly ten years past. In
the event Of the triumph of the sound
money idea we may expect sometime
that. but for The fact that It will be ne