The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1896-09-02
RESOURCES. WEALTH AND POWER.
The Argument ~ to National Sovereignty
Given q Review.

The Argument ~ to Nation.l Sovereignty
Given n Review.
We hear great deal about the great re-
sources and wealth and power of this
country, and do not allow any body to go
beyond my appreciation of them but what
is the use of talking about all that when
you DO not propose to put this wealth and
power and influence behind the silver
dollar at all Applause. As things are
now the silver dollars that we have are
supported by the government and the gov.
eminent that supports this silver bullion
has issued these dollars on its own ac-
count-not for the mine owner-and it
has pledged its sacred honor IL would
make every one of these silver dollars rs
good as a gold dollar Great applause.
And that is a powerful support. Without
1t disparity between these two metals
would at once show itself IN the marAets
and there would be some sense in the talk
which our Populistic friends indulge in
when they speak of the power OF this gov
ernment if hey propose to put this power
behind their free coinage.
But they do not. They propose that the
men who dig silver out OF the mines may
bring it to the mint and have il stamped
and handed back to them AS a dollar, the
government having no responsibility
about it. These men won reject with
contempt the proposition that free coinage
was TO come with pledge on behalf of
the governmr mt TO maintain the parity of
the two dollars. Applause. But this
feeling is we'll adapted TO touch the pre-
vailing American bumptiousness, and well
adapted to touch that prejudice against
England which we people have. But can
we do this thing ourselves. 1t is not ques-
ton whether we will do 1t or asa 3 III
body's consent whether we may, or ,sS
the cooperation of somebody. Not ut all.
will tell you what this government can
do alone. 1t can fix its money uni. 1t
can declare by law what shall DC the rela
tive value Of an ounce Of gold and AN
ounce OF silver, but it cannot make that
last declaration good. Applause]
1t is unquestionably fully within the
power of this government TO bring this
country to a silver basis by coming silver
dollars and making them legal tender.
They can do that. This government says
tina, you shall take one of those dollars IN
discharge of any debt owing to you for
dollar, Notwithstanding you may have
loaned gold dollars. but it cannot say and
enforce its decree If you should call out
the regular army and navy and muster all
our great modern warships and ada the
militia and put William j. Bryan in COM
mand of them-it cannot enforce the de-
cree that one ounce OF gold Is the equiva'
lent of l6 ounces of silver. Great APP
plause and cheers. Not only that, not
France and England and Germany can do
that unless the marke respond. APP
plause. Whyi You may make me take
a silver dollar for debt; but If l have
bought my goods at gold prices you can
not make me give as many yards of cloth
for a silver dollar as l have been IN the
habit of giving for a gold one. Applause
and cheers
What IL another consequence In this
connection these gentlemen say why,
aid not we win the battle at Bunker
HillS" Laughter. did not we whip
the British at Yorktown, .-and do you
mean to say we can't do IL againS" The
logic of these gentlemen-if may use
such term in connection with such bal
that a nation that can do these
great things and establish its political in
dependence can also be financially and
commercially free. 1t cannot DO free OF
the laws of trade. Applause.
Take the laboring man; how full OF
sympathy they are for him. My country
men, / never spoke false word to the
man in my life. Great applause.]
I have never sought to reach his vote or
influence by appeals to that part of his
nature that will pollute the intellect and |
the conscience. have believed. and l be- |
lieve today, that any system that main |
tains the prices of labor in this country, |
that brings hope into the life Of the labor |
Ing man, that enables him TO put by that |
which gives him stake in good order, In |