The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-04-23

nation adopt an independent Ameri-
can policy instead of bowling in an ab-
ject servility to England and the par
asites of Britain.
l notice that the famous veteran
banker, Jay Cooke, of Philadelphia,
has come out boldly for free silver,
and in letter published in the Bos-
ton Globe Sunday, March 29th, stated
that, in his judgment, an honest su-
preme court would unhesitatingly de-
clare that the act which demonetized
silver was unconstitutional. Professor
John Clark Ridpath, LII. D., the most
eminent and popular living historian
in America today, is equally out
spoken in his demand for the imme-
date and unconditional repeal of the
act demontizing silver, and of all sub
sequent legislation which might in
any way affect its ancient constitu
tional standing. This same position
is held by Mr.. William P. St. John,
the president of one # New York's
largest banks; and were it not for the
fact that the gold ring which controls
the administration dominates the cas-
tern press, which, in the language Of
Mr.. St. John, protects their readers
from intelligence on this question by
refusing to allow the other side hear
ing, there would be such an uprising
in the nation against the ruinous pol
icy which has been pursued for the
last quarter of century against the
happiness and prosperity of our peo-
pie, as, has never been equaled in the
annals Of nation. The metropoli-
tan and New England dailies, will
not allow word to appear in their
columns in favor Of tree silver while
they are loud in their denunciation OF
every man, no matter how high he
may stand as scholar, statesman,
jur!st or economist, who pleads for
free silver, prosperity, progress and
the happiness of the homes of our peo-
pie. There is no question in my mind
but what the next great political bat
tie will be fought essentially between
the east on one hand and the west and
south on the other. 1t would take a
microscope to discover the difference
between the republlcanism of John
Sherman and the democracy of Grover
Cleveland on the paramount issue be-
fore the American people. John
PIerpont Morgan and Levi Morton,
Russell Sage and Comptroller Eckles
are all loud in their clamor for "sound
money" which means scarce or dis
honest money.
They are charging their phalansta
ries as the Pharisee of old, embroider.
ering the words "sound money" and
"honest money on their robes to
divert the attention ofthe people from
the spoilation which has made multi
millionaires of the few at terrible cost
to Americas industrial millions. You
can divide the "sound money" men
into three classes; those whose interest
it is to make money scarce and there
by enrich themselves at the cost of
life, happiness and prosperity to the
people; their hirelings, and that vast
throng of echoes who do no thinking
for themselves. If one looks over the
columns of the metropolitan press for
one week he will be appalled, by the
number Of suicides, the misery and
wretchedness unveiled in panoramic
view before his eyes. Our men by the
millions are asking for work and find
ing none; the condition of our farmers
is more deplorable than ever before in
the history of the republic; little chill
dren are forced to work in the great
shops when they ought to be in school
or out in the open air, developing men,
tally, morally and physically; and being
forced into these vast machine like in
situations, which not only dwarf indi-
vlduality and prevent development of
character, but render large percent
age of them practically incapable of
earning living wages in after life. Any
one who is conversant with the decline
of Rome after the fall of the Gracchi
and the triumph of the patricians will
see that history is repeating itself in
our own republic. Hence, it is OF par
amount importance that every patriotic
citizen, and especially that every one
who reveres the name Of Jefferson and
Jackson, should refuse to swerve one
hairs breath from the cause OF the
people in this crucial hour, which may
be justly termed the second Valley
Forge of the republic.
B. o. FLOWER,
Ed itor Of the arena.
In his Mexican letter to the arena,
above referred to, Justice Walter Clark,
Of the bench Of the Supreme Court of
North Corolina, said:
visited the Hercules Cotton mill,
Two miles South of the city. 1t is
large establishment with 1000 SPIN
dies and I,1oo looms, and is admirably
1t has the latest machin.
Try. inquired the price paid for cot
ION, and was told Is to II cents at
he factory. Up in the Mapimi coun-
Try, in Durango, where it was produced
he price was 1917 to Az cents, and
alter on at a cotton factory in the sub
lrbs of Oaxaco, 600 miles South of
his, the superintendent informed me
hat they paid IS to 10 cents. In the
United States Consular Reports for
September last our consul at Matamo-
as reports cotton selling to the facto-
les at Monterey at Is to IS cents. On
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