Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-09-17
ex.MiNls1ea PHELPS.


Cnica&0 rthtform.
Hon. Edward J. Phelps. ex-minister 70
England, has written the following let
ter, in which be urges all true demo-
Gratis to join in defeating the candidates
who stand on the un.democratic plat
form adopted at Chicago:
l regard the pending presidential
election as presenting the most danger
GUS crisis that this country has ever en-
countered. 1t does not, in my Judgment
involve any political controversy nor
any question Of the supremacy Of party,
for such considerations are lost sight OF
In the far greater gravity Of the situa-
ton. The real issue is one upon which
all patriotic men and ell who are in
terested in the prosperity and welfare
Of the country should find themselves
upon one side and opposed to a common
enemy. The attack that we have to
resist Is not upon the policy but upon
the life Of the nation, for they would
take Its life who destroy the means by
which it lives-the business Of many
thousands and the industry Of millions.
On these we are all, whether rich or
poor, high or low, alike dependent.
Those who are independently rich are
very few in proportion to the 100000
Of American people, the vast majority
OF whom gain their living by some form
or other of useful employment. That
there should be prosperity in some Of
these employments and not in others, or
among one class Of people and not
among others, is impossible, for they all
rest upon common foundation and are
affected by the same considerations.
Business" is generic term and COM
prehends all lawful industries. When
IL is stimulated, all profit when II is de-
pressed. all suffer. No part Of the body
can escape the effect Of a general paraly-
sis or fail to get the benefit Of general
good health. When business fourishes,
the laborer is in demand; when 1t de-
clines, he stands idle in the market
place.
Business Of whatever sort in coun-
try like ours, rich in resources, full OF
energy and vitality, with all harvests
everywhere ready for the sickle, rests
chiefly upon two factors--public conf
dence and a sound and stable currency.
When either is-and much more when
both are-impaired or even gravely
threatened, business suffers, general de-
preston comes, labor declines, and tho
wolf approaches many door. Without
confidence there can be no credit, no
enterprise. Capital is boarded, sent
abroad or lies idle, and all industries
diminish or cease, and the surest way
the world has ever seen to destroy con-
tidence is to debase the currency and to
make II uncertain from day to day how
much dollar Is worth and how much
II 10 going TO count for In the near fu-
ture-to take away, as is now proposed.
one-half its value to begin with and to
ret the other half to fuctuating TO an
indefinite extent, with the rising and
the setting Of the sun and the approach
Of every storm.
There is, therefore, in my Judgment,
no man more criminal or who is worse
public enemy than he who engages in
Cr countenances that ,infamous and de-
structive attempt because the less a
man has, or the less he earns, the more
necessary 1t is to him that the value OF
that little should be maintained and
made sure, and that the few dollars in
his pocket should be as good dollars as
there are. As well might the Storage
passengers in vessel in midocean,
weary of their privations, be melted by
some mischief maker to scuttle the ship
in order to drown the inmates of the
more luxurious cabins, unconscious that
they themselves must be equally the VIC
tins of the common calamity.
The party is already hopelessly dis
rupted on the issue presented. Wecan-
not follow both its divisions at the same
time, however desirable it might be,
since they are moving inopposite dlrec-
tons. On the one side are the oldtime
honored principles Of the party, under
which all its great traditions have been
and which all its illustrious
leaders have advocated. Chief and fore
most among these principles always in
times past has been the maintenance Of
sound and honest money, Of dollars that
are dollars. of a national stamp upon
them that does mott lie.
On the same side are its most trusted
present statesmen and leaders, and
very large proportion at the last Of its
better and most instructed element.
Which way shall we go, then, since wo
cannot go both ways? With its states
men or with its camp followers? With
is principles or with its organization
and graded by its enemies9
In which direction lies the future Of the
party if it is to have any future? And
who are they who will control 1t here
after, when this tyranny shall be over
oast?" Let no man be afraid to be right
IN this question, for 1t Is the right that
will triumph in the end, whether it re-
'orms the PARTY or destroys it.
PREACHER KILLS HIMSELF.