Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1896-02-22
Chairman of the National Com
mittee Issues An Address.
THE DOWNFALL OF SILVER
He AnDcclq 70 the Rank aud File Of the
TWO Old Parties to Co
operate.

Washington, Feb 16.-J. j. Mott,
chairman of the national committee OF
the silver party, has issued the follow
ing address to the people:
AS chairman of the national commit
tee appointed by the silver conference
lately assembled in Washington city
to organize the silver forces in the
United States, in the battle which is to
take place for the possession of the gov
eminent this year. it is thought proper
that I should MAKE some statement to
the people in reference to it.
AS the necessity of money as a me-
dunn of exchange became revealed to
the minds of men, the two metals final
ly accepted as the most suitable for
money were silver and gold. This was
natural because they were the two most
precious metals adapted to the purpose
and were sufficiently limited in guam
tity.
As mining has developed the fact that
these two metals existed in the earth IN
almost certain proportions, the natural
ratio of value was assumed. This ratio
has continued as arranged by man I'M
der natural order as he found it. They
were accepted by mankind as part Of
the grand plan upon which the world
was to move, and were approved by
the philosophy and common sense OF
all ages.
REJECTION OF SILVER.
From this condition or regular order
and contentment contributing to the
gradual elevation of all classes Of so
Ciety, the extension of civilization ana
general betterment OF the human race,
this country and the world has been
ruthlessly torn. 1t has been done by
the rejection Of one of the precious
metals in the interest of greed, and by
this act the money changers have been
enthroned and the narrowing of the
scope of monetization begun AS mon
citation has narrowed money has be-
come scarcer in proportion, and as
money became ScarCer the prices fell
ia proportion, and falling prices have
been the bane of the world.
From contraction of the currency
we are now in the thrOeS Of one of those
desperate stages of human experience
a period of heartaChe, canker and
slcepIessness, as the foundation of
prices has crumbled Obligations rest
ing upon supposed firm foundation Of
price III ready money have CrumDled
into dirt as the foundation of the price
has crumbled. The country is con-
fronted by a grave emergency. Fur
ther theoriZing is futile.
MUST BE SETTLED PEACEFULLY.
The agitation of the money question
must be settled by peaceful methods
that will give practical results. Long
patience and dispaSsiOnate reflection
have convinced me that an independent
American financial system is absolute
ly necessary to restoration of national
prosperity and the establishment of
commercial conditions in this country
that will give the common people an
equal show with capital and concen-
trated wealth.
How can it be effected? Can it be
done through either the republican or
democratic party rs now constituted
No. both organizations are under the
blighting influence of the eastern mon
ely power. What, then, is to be done
as patriots, as Americans, who are for
America against the world? What is
our first and controlling duty in this
crisis? Shall we longer heed false
promises of party platform declara-
lions? Shall we longer submit to ar
academic discussion of what bimetal
ism means? Shall it be another cam
paign of struggling and equivocation
or shall the issue be squarely on free
coinage Of silver and gold and a presi
dent elected who represents the people
on this question?
The frs, step essential preliminar.
to the correction of political abuses, tn
re-establishment of national prosperit,