The Dickinson press., 1896-09-12
The M'KlNLEY LETTER
Strong Stand on Sound Money,
Protection and Reci-
procity.

A4VVo0V4VA 0AN AVVV40
procity.
FORMAL NOTE OF ACCEPTANCE.
Mills Should be Opened to Labor
Free Coinage Would Set No
Wheels Turning.
Canton, O.. Aug. 26.-Following is the
formal letter Of acceptance written by
Maj. Mckinley, Republican nominee for
president, and made. public tonight:
1.-THE Hon. John N. Thurston and Others.
Members Of the Mobilization Committee of
the Republican National Convention-Gen-
tlemen: In pursuance Of a promise made
70 your committee when notified OF my
nomination as the Republican candidate for
president, I beg to submit this formal &C.
ceptance of that high honor, and to con-
slider in detail questions at issue in the
pending campaign. Perhaps this might be
considered unnecessary in view Of my re-
marks OF that occasion, and those l have
made to delegations that have visited me
since the st. Louis convention, but in view
Of the momentous importance Of the proper
settlement Of he issues presented on our
future. prosperity, and standing as a nation,
and considering only the welfare and hap
piness Of our people, I would not be content
to omit again calling attention to the ques-
tons 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 the inspira-
ton Of mankind. We must not now prove
false to our own high standards in gov
eminent. nor unmindful Of the noble ex-
ample and wise precepts Of the fathers,
or of the confidence and trust which our
conduct in the past has always inspired.
The Danger of RI Coinage.
eff never before there is presented to the
Americans this year a clear and direct is
sue as to our monetary system, of vas.
importance in its effect. and upon the
right settlement of which rest largely the
financial honor and prosperity Of the
country, 1t is proposed by one wing Of the
Democratic party and its allies. the Peo-
Pies and Silver parties, to ~inaugurate the
free and unlimited coinage Of silver by in
dependent action on the part Of the United
States at a ratio Of 16 ounces Of silver to
! ounce Of gold. The mere declaration Of
this purpose is a menace to our financial
and industrial interests and has already
created universal alarm. It involves great
peril to the credit and business Of the
country, q peril 80 grave that conservative
men everywhere are breaking away from
the old party associations and uniting
with other patriotic citizens in emphatic
protest against the platform Of the Demo-
cratic National convention as an assault
upon the faith and honor of the govern
ment and the welfare of the people. We
have had few questions in the lifetime Of
the republic more serious than the one
which is thus presented.
"The character OF the money. which
shall measure our values and exchanges
and settle our balances with one another
S6o Nth the nations Of the world, is Of
.nes primary Importance and so fer reach
ing in its consequences ss to call &c sna
most painstaking Investigation, and In the
epd, / sober and unprejudiced judgment
1t the polls. We must not be misled by
phrases, nor deluded by false theories.
Free silver would not mean that silver
dollars were to be freely had without cost
or labor. It would mean the free use
Of the mints of the United States for
the owners Of silver bullion, but would
make silver coin no freer to the many
who engaged in other enterprises. 1t
would not make labor easier, the hours Of
labor shorter or the pay better. It would
not make farming less laborious or more
profitable. It would not start a factory
or make q demand for an additional days
labor. It would create no new occupa-
lions. 1t would add nothing to the com
fort Of the masses, the capital of the PEG.
pie or the wealth Of the nation It seeks
to introduce q new measure OF value, but
would add no value to the thing measured.
It would not conserve values. On the
contrary, it would derange all existing
values. It would not restore business COZ
ndence, but its direct effect would be t
destroy the little which yet remains.
Meaning Of the Coinage Plank.
''The meaning Of the coinage plank adopt.
Cd at Chicago Is that anyone may take q
quantity of silver bullion now worth S:
cents to the mints of the United States
have 1t coined at the expense Of the gov.
eminent and use 1t for a silver dollar
which ehall be legal tender for the pay
ment Of all debts, public and private. Thu
owner Of b silver bullion would get tn.
silver dollar. 1t would belong to him ant
to nobody else. Other people would gel
It only by their labor, the products o.
their land. or something Of value. Til.
bullion owner. OF the basis of present val
ues, would receive the silver dollar fol
s. cents worth Of silver and other peopl,
would be required to receive it as q full
dollar in the payment of debts. The gov
eminent would get nothing from the trans
action. It would bear the expense of coin
ing the silver and the community woult
suffer loss by its use.
1--WE have coined since 1873 more thai
400, 000. 900 silver dollars which are main.
tained by the government at parity will
gold and a full legal tender for the pay.
ment of all debts, public n private. How
are the silver dollars now In use different
from those which would be in use unde,
free coinage? They are to be of the same
weight and fneness. They are to bea,
the same stamp OF the government. VIII
would they not be Of the same value? /
answer the silver dollars now in use wert
coined on account of the government ant
not for private account or gain, and thu
government has solemnly agreed to keeI
them as good as the best dollars we have
The government bought the silver bullior
1t its market value and coined 1t int
silver dollars. Having exclusive control Of
the mintage it only coins what 1t can hole
at q parity with gold. The profit repre-
senting the difference between the com
mercial value of the silver bullion and tn,
face value Of the silver dollar goes to tn,
government for the benefit Of the people
The government bought the silver bullio1
contained in the silver dollar at yer,
much less than its coinage value. It paid 4
out to its creditors and put 1t in circula
ton among the people at its face valu,
Of 100 cents. or q full dollar. 1t require
the people to accept 1t a. legal tender
and IL thus morally bound to maintain Il
ct . parity with gold, which was then, q
now, the recognized standard with US ant
the most enlightened nations Of the world
culatsd the silver dollar, 1t must in homo
protect the holder from loss. This obliga
ton 1t has 20 far sacredly kept. Not onl,
% there Q moral obligation. but there 10 I
legal Obligation. expressed In public stat
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