West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1896-10-01

SpSV'suiiN ieieflcu 10 TINS declaration
OF the republican party. made only four
short years ago. Any merchant or
farmer, who views with dismay the con-
stanty depreciating value of his stock
and goods, and who is now staring
bankruptcy iB the face, should consult
the above quotation and then figure on
the prospect ahead of him, in the event
that the gold standard is permanently
fixed as part OF our national policy.
Listen TO this, our good republican
friends, who are now frantically en-
deaVoring 10 swallow the gold pill.
Here is what was asserted by your re-
publican teNt book of four years ago;
THE meaning of this is clear. Tho
capitalist can increase his wealth by
simply converting IL into gold. putting
IL in n vault and holding Il idle for a,
series of years. At THE end of ten years
IL will buy more provisions aud more
labor than II would when he stored IL.
As the supply of gold contracts. every
body must work harder to get IL.
ut is plain that the debtor Is en-
titled 20 discharge his obligations for
value precisely similar 10 Tint he
originally obtained. lie cannot do this
IL the money in which his loan is com
pulsory payable Increases between the
date of its making and the date OF It's
payment. Measured I'm gold all oh
legations have thus increased i'm n very
short period OF time. The creditor
class enjoys. therefore. vast advant.
nge over the debtor class. The men
v ho work for their living and consume
their earnings year by year are placed
I'm most unfair position"
What are Mark Hanna. ]. PIcrpont
Morgan, Ilidelback, Icklehelmer 8 Co,
and others of our philanthropic oppo-
nents doing 10 relieve American farm
ers, workingmcn and producers from
this most unfair position 2" They have
forced great party TO affirm I'm It's
platform the sacredness of the gold
standard and they denounce as am
archists, repudiationists, lunatics and
populists those who now dare TO op-
pose them.
There is much moro good reading In
this text look entitled The Grand
Old Party" and at an early date | will
quote more from its stirring and pa
triotic passages.
There Is not the slightest reason TO
douht-and William Mckinley will not
deny the statement that in 1878. in
1850. In 1884. I'm 1883. in 1890. in 1892 and
all The years and months UP TO the
time that the gold clique In the re-
publican national convention Mt ST.
Louis in June, 1896. framed it's gold
plank. and forced him TO stnud upon
it-that William Mckinley has been n
constant and unswerving friend OF sfl-
yer. few days ugo he came out
squarcly and raily for the gDd stand
ard, and denounced IN most bitter
terms that honest faction Of the Amer
lean people who believe in the money
OF the constitution. It makes no differ
ence what his personal opinions are
on this question. IL hc be an honor
able man. he cannot, he dare not. be-
tray those who are now spending mil
lions to elect him.
Let no man delude himself with the
hope that William Mckinley can now
be anything but q gold mononletallst.
He has counted the cost, rendered his
decision and must be judged by his
recent letter of acceptance. Every
line In that document reflected the de-
mands OF Wall and Lombard streets.
For the sake of a presidency he has
recantcd the patriotic utteranccs OF an
honorable past, spoken In favor Of sill
yer. He stands to-day the pledged atIvo-
cate OF n doctrine he despises, the
champion of conspiracy which he
foresaw, the details of which he has
exposed. Never I'm the history of Amer
lean politics has a presidential can
didate occupied such a pitiful position.
The question is, did the transfer Of the
allegiance Of William. Mckinley from
bimetallism TO the gold standard carry
with it allegiance of millions OF hon
est Americans who have heretofore
been affiliated with him in an attempt
TO restore silver TO it's function as
money?
This Is a question which every voter
must answer for himself.