The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-08-27

Canton. Ohio, August 2G.-Nlajor McKln-
press associations this afternoon, having
finished his last reading and revision of
touches upon ali OF the important pianks
In the Republican National Platform, but
the the hrst haif OF 1t is devoted to IA a discus
Hon. John NJ: Thurston and others.
members of the Notification Committee of
the Republican National Convention:
In pursuance of the promise made to
your committee when notified of my NOM
ination as the Republican candidate for
ceptanea of That high honor, and to con-
slider in detail questions at issue in the
pending campaign. Perhaps this may be
considered unnecessary In view of my re-
marks on that occasion and those l have
made to delegations that have visited me
OF the momentous importance of the prop
er settlement of the Issues presented on
nation, and considering only the welfare
and happiness OF our people, / could not
tions which in my opinion vitality affect
our strength and position among the gov
ernments of the world. and our morality.
integrity and patriotism as citizens of that
republic, which for a century past has
been the best hope of the world. and in
spiration of mankind. We must not now
prove false to our high standards in gov
ernnient. nor unmindful of the noble eX-
OF the confidence and trust which our con-
duct in the past has always inspired.
The Free Coinage orSirycr.
For the first time since 1868, If ever be-
fore, there is presented to the American
people this year n clear and direct issue
as 10 our monetary system of vast i'm
portance in it's effects, and upon the right
nancial honor and prosperity of the coun-
try. 1t Is proposed by one wing OF the
pies and silver % %Sarties rte s TO e inaururate rat the
free and unlimited coinage of silver by
independent action on the part of the
United States at a ratio Of l6 ounces of sill
Yer to ounce OF gold. The mere decla-
ration of this purpose is u menace to our
financial anl Industrial interests and has
nlread created universal alarm II in
wolves great peril TO the credit and buSi-
ness of the country. peril 50 grave that
Ing away from their old party associa-
tions and uniting with other patriotic cit
izcnS in emphatic protest against the
platform of the Democratic National Con-
veniion as an Insult uIOn the faith and
of he people We have had few quest ons
In The lifetime of the Republic more seli-
oLs than the one that is thus presGuted.
No !..u"Gi 10 tnhOr.
The character OF the money which shall
measure ou! values ana exchanges. and
Settl" our balances VII. 2n" another, a!u
with The nai.uus al t!iv world, is of sDch
primary in'p"It"hce end 80 Ld!-rtachi'fs
~ it, cpNat4n' - - Cnl ior the iIlcst
pnirstakiuE nv Stist'i9n anc. in the end.
-ohtH ara Nurit !"0!cad JucSnient at
the polls. N.u must .IUI De lniSl,d by
phases nor d.iW!t % by false theories
IIre s'lFyi W.Hl" nut mean th-t silver dol
lars ware 10 se freely mad without cost
on la'U.. ~ "NglG tHc trge use of the
gniuts OF the I'u!t.8 States fur the few " no
age owners Vt siit.r puilon. but would
are engaged IN othsr eI.tprpriscs IL would
not make iahul easier, the hours of labor
shorter or iAe pay letter. 1t would not
start factory or make n demand for an
new oocu.ations: 1t would add nothing
20 thc con,lort Of the masses: the capital
81 the people or the wealth of the nation.
~ se@Ss to Introduce new measure. 1t
would not conserve values: II would not
erect would be to destroy The little which
yet remains.
What q NcnDs.
The meaning of the coinage plank adopt
ed at Chicago is iLut uny one may lake
CENTS to ihe " mimts hints Of The The uniscd states. 8.
have 1t coined at the expense OF the gov
efnment and receNv for II silver dollars,
ment OF all debts. pul &C or private. The
owheT ,Ms e,,ve Of ,hs silver aglli9n would get
and to nobody else. Other people would
get II only by their labor. the products
Of their land. or something of value, The
bullion owner on the basis of present val
ues would receive the silver dollar for SO
cents worth OF silver and other people
dollar in the payment rastHe of debts II The goV
ernment would get nothing from the trans
lose by Its use.
The Dollars Compared.
We have coined since 1873 more than
four,hundred millions OF silver dollars.
which are maintained by the government
at parity with gold. and are full legal ten
der 70, for the payment OF all debts. pub
lie and private. How are the silver dol
lars now In use different from those which
would be in use. under free Coinage?
They are to be OF the same weight and
hneness: they are to bear the same stamp
OF the government. whV would
be Of the same value2 I answer: The
silver dollars now in use were coined on
account OF the government and not for
private gain, and the government has
solemnly agreed to keep them as good as
the best dollars we have. The goverrl-
ment bought the silver bullion at its mark
ct value and coined 1t into silver dollars.
Having exclusive control OF the mintage
u only coins What II Gan hold at q parity