Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-23

IL
ticable. If established and maintained
by agreement Of the principal commercial
nations. 1t would be expected That win
such a general consensus OF scientific
opinion as is TO be found abroad upon TINS
subject. II would come rapidly 70 be the
generally received opinion OF the
nations to be affected by wise settle
ment of the problem. Such Is me CASE
OF the continental nations. Germany was
the one that IN 1892 practically broke up
the conference which met at the sugses-
ton Of the United States. She Instructed
her delegates TO meet and talk, but
to state to the conference that
she would not change her imperial stand
ard AS her standard was gold, That
announcement ended all possibility of any
practical results from that conference.
Since that time and within the last year
heE legislative assemblies have specln-
caliy. by votes Of instruction to her min
listers. changed her attitude upon that
point. So that the specific objection or
Germany encountered by the conference
of 1892 has been since considered ana
Withdrawn.
at the present moment, Germany.
France. Italy. Austria. Holland, Belgium.
and the United States wish TO co-ope-
rate for the establishment and mainte-
nance Of the Joint standard by interna-
tlonal agreement and "a most Important
circumstance, Great Britain has recent
ly--within three months, in fact-made
a most important concession. She has
said: We will do for you as much rs
YOU can do for yourself. We will make
this great contribution 10 bimetalhc
system: We win go back upon delibe-
rately arranged methods Of providing a
currency for India. We will reopen the
Indian minis. We will engage that they
shall be kept open, and we shall, there
fore, provide for q free coinage OF sill
yer within the limits OF the British en-
pire. for a population greater in number
than the populations Of Germany, France,
and America put together
AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK.
into this long and now just about to
be successful struggle for the establish
ment of the joint standard, II is proposed
that we should intervene by assuming TO
establish it alone. Against this proposed
action on our part these earnest believers
I'm and workers for the cause strenuousiy
protest. They say to US: You cannot
succeed. and your failure will discredit
the cause
"The recent article Of DIR. Ahrendt IN
the North American Review shows very
clearly the view taken by our friends
abroad upon this subject. He has done
much, and probably more. than any living
man 10 advocate and bring TO its domi-
Mating position in Germany this cause.
one of the original organizers OF the
Timetable League in Germany, he Is
entitled TO be called one Of the leaders
of public opinion I'm Europe upon TINS
subject IL was upon his motion In the
Prugslan 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 emu II
silver monometallism and discredit ana
nut back the cause OF the double standard
the world over.
at is a question not what we wish. but
what we are able TO do A strong man
may undertake task too great Tor Ms
strength and break down.
"It cannot be denied that the feeling
among our people is that this free coinage
by the United States alone VIII not give
us the gold and silver money at parity
with each other (Which is the assumption
,lnon which IL is TAKEN. butswill bring us
10 silver monometailism. and change IN
our standard OF value, and that change
II Is believed. means immediate ruin TO
our Industries and no permanent good 10
any one. This feeling IS general ana IN
tense.
"Whcther these differences can be recon
ciled, It Is impossible to anticipate Inc
Democratic party stands for principles
desirable to be maintained for the good
of the country. Most any sacrifice might
be asked OF Democrats for the sake OF
tho party, and they would cheerfuily
make Il.
THE EAST WOULD BOLT.
But q the delegates, from this To-
cality should go 10 Chat convention and
represent that the rank and file OF the
party would follow the lead OF our south
ern brethren and vote for the free coin
age Of silver by the United States alone.
they would be disappearing the state
OF public opinion hore. Whether II IS
so or not. II is considered proposition
TO debase the existing standing OF value.
And the same feeling OF indspOsition
10 compromise with the matter for votes
or anything else is as active and domi-