West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1896-08-27


apply his logic to us. why he does not
apply it to himsclfg He says that he
wants this country to try to secure an
international agreement. Why doesn't
he tell us what he is going 10 90 IL they
fail TO secure an international agree
mont? There is moro reason for him 10
do that than for us to fail to maintain
the parity. They havo tried for 30 years
for 80 years--to secure an mtorna.
tional agreement, and those arc waiting
for it most patiently who don't want il
at all.
Now, my friends, let mo como to tho
great paramount issue. II they ask us
here why it is that wc say moro on the
money question than we say upon the
tariff question, rcply that if protection
has slain its thousands, tho gold stand
ard has slain its tens Of thousands IL
they ask us why we did not clnbody all
these things i'll our plutform which we
believe, we reply 60 them that whom we
have restored the money Of the constitu-
ton all other necessary reforms will bc
possible and that until that Is dono
there is no reform that can be accom-
plishcd Why is il that within three
months such change has come over tho
sentiment OF this country? Throo months
ago, when it was confidently asserted
that those who believed in the gold
standard would frano our platform and
nominate our candidate, oven tho advo-
Gates of the gold standard did not think
that we could elect n president, but they
had good reason for the suspicion, be-
cause there is scarcely state here today
asking for the gold standard that Is not
within the absolute control Of the Re-
publican party.
But note the change. Mr.. Mckinley
was nominated at st. Louis upon plat.
form that declared for tho maintenance
of the gold standard until il should bo
changed into bimetallism by an inter
national agreement. Mr.. Mckinley was
the most popular man among tho Ro-
publicans, and everybody three months
ago in the Republican party prophesied
his election. How is il today? Why,
that man who used to boast that he
looked like Eapoleon--that man shud-
dcrs today when nc thinks that he was
nominated on the anniversary OF the
battle Of Waterloo Not only that, but
as he listens hc can hear with ever in
ercasing distinctness the sound of tho
waves as they beat upon tho lonely
shores of ST. Helena
Why this changer Ali, my friends, is
not the change evident TO any ono who
will look at the matter? 1t is no private
character, however pure, no personal
popularity. however Grcnt, that can pro-
tect fran the avenging wrath of an in
dignant people the man who will either
declare that ne IL in favor of fastening
tho gold standard upon this people OF
who is willing TO surrender the right of
self government and place the legisla-
tive control IN the hands Of foreign po-
tentatcs and powers.
Wo go forth confident that wo shall
win. Why? Because upon rhe para.
mount issue in this campaign there is
not spot Of ground upon which tho
encr1y will dare TO challenge battle.
Why, II they tell us that the gold stand
ard is good thing, we point to their
platform and tell them that their plat
form pledges tho party 10 get rid Of
gold standard and substitute bimetal-
hsm.
If the gold standard Is a good thing,
why try to get rid Of it7 Knight call at
tention TO the TACT that some Of the peO-
/ pie who arc iI. this convention today and
who tell you that wc ought to declare
In favor Of international bimetallism
and thereby declare that a gold standard
Is wrong and that tho principle Of BIZ
metallism is bctter--theso very people
four months ago wero open and ayowed
advocates OF the gold standard and tell
ing Va that VIC could not legislate two
metals together even with all the world.
/ want to suggest this truth--that If
the gold standard is "a good thing wo
ought TO declare in favor of it's retention
and not in favor Of abandoning It; and
if the gold standard IS bad thing, why
should we wait until soino other nations
are willing 10 help us Let go? Hero is
the line Of battle. Wo care not upon
which issuo they forco tho fight. We
are prepared to meet them on either IS
sue or on both. If they toll us that the
gold standard is tho standard Of ciyili-
zation, we reply 70 them that this, tho
most enlightened Of all the nations Of
the earth, has never declared for "a gold
standard and both tho parties this year
arc declaring against &C. If tho gold
standard is the standard Of civilization,
why, my friends should We not have
it7 So. III they como 10 meet us Ou that