Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-07-02

s:s'';:: :; E: E; ;::s !: 81: 81 It,; :;
efforts for the further suppression of
the poor, Henry Clewe in his recent
circular letter on the finance question,
writes these significant words:
The danger from popular prejudice
and ignorance in connection with this
silver agitation is, however, something
more than conceivable evil possibility.
1t is threatened actuality. 1t is up
for Immediate decision, and at this
moment no one can feel absolutely GER
tain that this worst curse Of nation
may not be brought to conclusion
within comparatively few months"
wall street is not in any degree in
sensible to these crisis. 1t can under
stand that the danger may reach an
acuter stage than it now presents; it is
quite prepared for the possibility that
managing politicians may go no further
than they have yet dared in the way Of
sacrificing sound money policy in order
to secure votes for their candidates; it
is aware that startling results may
come out of either of the party conven-
tioDs; it would hardly be surprised
should the silverites be able to block
sound money legislation in the next
Congress; all these things may be
classed among the possibilities of the
next few months But Wall street has
learned to believe that there are
greater potencies than party platforms.
than legislative subserviency to pop
| ular ignorance, than the madness of
a party infatuation. There are stu
atiOns and events which can instantly
coerce and convert the most reckless
| legislators into the willing servants of
| q conservative sentiment that4 repre-
sents the real interests and safety OF
the nation. 1t will not be necessary
to wait for any after affects of silver
legislation to remedy its mischiefS, al
| though that would be perfectly safe
| course. The near prospect of the
| authorization of free coinage-a count
ing of beads showing a certainty of a
| two thirds vote in the House AID Sen
ate for 16 to would evoke in Wall
street the kind of condition that no
Congress has ever yet dared to disre-
gard, and the cause of free silver coln-
age would be overthrown at the
moment when it's success seemed most
certain. It is this reserved power on
which Wall street is now reposing."
Commenting on these revolutionary
words the National Bimetallist says:
"a man that would use such Ian
guage as is contained in Mr.. Clewes
circular is not loyal citizen of the
republic. and is not fit to be a citizen
at all. Many man has gone to the
scaffoid for less than that, and even in
free America dose of Dry Tortugus
would be none too severe punishment.
If this circular merely spoke the senti-
ments of Mr.. Clewes it would scarcely
merit attention, but there is not a
shadow of doubt that it reflects the
fixed purpose of Wall street. Henry
Clewes understands perfectly the
opinions of those for whom ne writes
In words that cannot be mistaken
the doctrine of popular government is
repudiated. It is broadly intimated
that the people are too ignorant to
know what they need, and that con,
gress should disregard their wishes.
IF, however, the national legislature
should show disposition TO obey the
voice of the people. then Wall street
will find a way to prevent it. Just
what Wall street would do Mr.. Clewes
does not say.
1.-The inference is that it would
plunge the country into financial con-
vulsion similar to that of 1898, by
which the repeal of the Sherman law
was forced. 4 panic is always The
weapon of the money power, and it is
sometimes successful. But in the his
tory of our country it has been known
to fail, and with the eyes of the people
fairly open and their minds directed tG
the real nature of the issues, it will fai
in 1896. Wall street may learn some
of these days that it cannot safely goad
suffering people too far. Oh, for {
year Of Andrew Jackson"
One and one.fourth cents a weel
will oaf tho Dz.xoCp Gao ssCarn