The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-23
ID. MhItnr,,. sfntrment.

Mr.. whitney's public statement. which
was published throughout the country
yesterday. makes very clear the argument
he intends 10 use al Chicago 10 prevent.
II possible. by the national democratic
convention. a declaration I'm favor Of in
dependent free silver coinage at the "a
ito Of 16 10 J. The argument is that a very
large part OF the people OF the United
states want bimetallism. that they are
against gold mosometallism and silver
monometaliism. tPat independent action
OF the United States at this time in favor
OF free silver coinage at the ratio of IS 20
1 would result IN silver monometaiIisn.
and that therefore the wise course for
the United States TO pursue is TO take ad-
vantage Of the strong and grow
ing sentiment in the great com
mercial countries of Europe in
favor OF bimetaTism TO bring about
an international agreement IN re-
spect to the coinage Of silver. Mr.. Whit
ney seems 20 be confident that it is possi-
bic TO secure such an agreement.
Mr.. Whitney occupies a position on the
silver question that enables him to ao-
vance the argument he does with consid-
cradle force. Not very long ago he de-
clared that he did not favor the COLA
standard. but he wants a sound and sta
BILE currency. and he knows We would no.
have currency of that kind II alone we
should open our minis to the unlimited
coinage of silver at the ratio of IS to !.
We should have silver monometaIlism-
a debased currency.
The leading bimetallists of Europe agree
that the United States alone
could not bring about blmet-
allism. They would regret exceedingly
any attempt Of the United States to un-
dertako alone TO bring it about. because
they are satisfied they would fail, and
hence would do it an almost irreparable
injury.
The question which Mr.. Whitney will
ask delegates at Chicago will be some
thing like this. probably: Does the dem
ocrauc party want genuine bimetallism
or does Il want silver monometallism?
What will the answer be? If it is that BIZ
metallism is wanted Mr.. Whitney viii be
able to show beyond the shadow of n
doubt that this country alone can
not establish bimetallism that BIZ
metallsm can be obtained only
through an international agreement
II it is announced that silver mon
ometallism is wanted then he will insist
that that fact shall be set forth in the
platform, so that nobody will be misled.
1t would hurt the party If a declaration
for bimetallism were made when the real
purpose of the party was to bring about
silver monometallism, and if the Chicago
convention declares for bimetalliSm it
must show that free silver coinage by this
country alone would give US bimetallism.
Could that be shown?
1t seems to us that the men who win
control at Chicago are not going to let
Mr.. Whitney have any special opportu-
mites to influence the delegates If they
can help 1t. 1t looks as If, feeling they
have enough votes to do pretty much as
they please, they are going to have a free
coinage monetary declaration aud a tick
ct composed of l6 to l silverites because
they believe that the sentiment in behalf
of silver is so strong that it will enable the
democratic party to win the election. Del
egates holding that belief win not listen
to argument.