The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-06-22
WH|TNEY'S PLEA TO HIS PARTY

eating the ueSlraolllty OF tne JOINT sthHcAiu us
the real solution of the monetary difficulties
of the world. This includes every professor
engaged in teaching or lecturing on these sub
jects in the universities of Great Britain.
They are agreed upon the desirability OF 1t
and that 1t is entirely practicable If estab-
hshed and maintained by agreement OF the
principal commercial nations.
It would be expected that, with such gen.
eral consensus of scientific opinion as is to be
found abroad upon this subject, it would come
rapidly 10 be the generally received opinion of
the nations to be affected by wise settlement
of the problem.
Such is the case OF the continental ma
tions Germany was the one that in 1892 prac-
tically broke up the conference which met at
the suggestion of the United States. She IN
structed her delegates to meet and talk, but
to state TO the conference that she would not
change her imperial standard. As her standard
was gold that announcement ended all possf-
bility of any practical result from that con-
ference. Since that time, and within the last
year, her legislative assemblies have spe-
cifcauy by votes of instructions to her Min
listers changed her attitude upon that point,
so that the specific objection OF Germany en-
countered by the conference of 1892 has been
since considered and Withdrawn.
At the present moment Germany, France,
Italy, Austria, Holland, Belgium and the
United States wish to cooperate for the estab-
hshment and maintenance OF the joint stand
ard by international agreement, and Ia most
important circumstance Great Britain has re-
Gently, within three months in fact, made
most important concession. She has said:
eve viii do for you as much as you can do for
yourselves. We viii make this great contribu-
tion to a bimetallic system. We will go back
upon the deliberately arranged methods of
providing a currency for India. We will re-
open the Indian mints. We will engage that
they shall be kept open, and we shall there
fore provide for free coinage OF silver within
the limits of the British Empire for popula-
ton greater in number than the population of
Germany, France and America put together"
Into this long and now just about to be sue
cessful struggle for the establishment of the
joint standard it is proposed that we should
intervene by assuming to establish 1t alone.
Against this proposed action on our part, these
earnest believers in and workers for the cause
sstrenuously protest. They say to us: "You
cannot succeed, and your failure will discredit
the cause"
The recent article Of DR.. Ahrendt in the
North American Review shows very clearly
the view taken by our friends abroad upon
this subject. He had done much and probably
more than any living man TO advocate and
bring to its dominating position in Germany
this cause. One of the original organizers of
the Bime tallic League in Germany, he is en-
titled TO be called one of the leaders of public
opinion in Europe upon this subject 1t was
upon his motion in the Prussian Chamber of
Deputies that the position OF Germany was
modified within the last year.
He expresses the opinion that free coinage
undertaken by the United States alone would
simply end in silver monometallism and dis
credit and put back the cause OF the double
standard the world over.
1t is question not what wish, but what
we are able to do. A strong man may under
take task too great for his strength aud break
down.
1t cannot be denied that the feeling among
our people is that this free coinage by the
United States alone will not give US the gold
and silver money at parity with each other
(Which is the assumption upon which it is
undertsken), but will bring to US silver mono
metallism and change in the standard of
values. And that change, it is believed, means
immediate ruin to our industries and no per-
manent good to any one.
This feeling is general and intense. Whether
these differences can be reconciled it is impos-
sible TO anticipate. The Democratic party
stands for principles desirable TO be main
tained for the good of the country. Almost
any sacrifice might be asked of Democrats for
the sake of the party and they would cheer
fully make it. But if the delegates from this
locality should go to that convention and rep
resent that the rank and file of the party would
follow the lead OF the Southern brethren and
vote for the free coinage of silver by the
United States alone, he would be misrepre-
senting the state of public opinion here.
Whether it is so not it Is considered a
proposition to debase the existing standard of
values. And the same feeling of indisposi ton
to compromise with that matter for votes or
anything else is as active and dominant here
in our party as it was found in the Republican
party when it bore down and overpowered the
Mckinley machine.
Personally it is my opinion that if the Demo-
cratic party goes on that platform this time
they will meet the most disastrous defeat that
any party has ever had in this country. / un-
derstand it is honestly believed in and people
think II will bring relief from their present
troubles; but between now and election day
it will be pretty thoroughly sifted and the peo-
pie of this country will not face the disturb
ance in values the loss of confidence, the gen.
eral distress and ruin which would come to
their business interests in such 8 change in
the standard of value as would arise from such
action. And it will. in my opinion, overwheIm
the persons who undertake it.
1t ought not to be necessary for me to say
anything of personal nature. 1 find myself,
however, spoken of here and there as posi-
bic candidate-not very seriously or promi-
nently, put sufficiently to attract attention if
l should fail to notice it. 1t sometimes affects
ones influence in cases like the present.
have TO personal motive in entering this fight.
l have said that would not be candidate
will add, copying the emphatic language once
used by the late General Sherman Il think
remember it correctly: 'T will not run if
nominated, nor serve if elected"
am not foolish enough to suppose that any
ii
vention, much less that could be. l sympa-
thize thoroughly with the feeling In the South
that has caused this uprising, and will find its
expression at Chicago, but as to the princi ples
which the uprising has brought forth and the
issues being framed, entirely disagree.
WILLIAM G. WHITNEY.