Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-09-23

Total contribution to date. $153 90
in volume. How can imports be made to
increase unless the demand with capaci-
ty to buy and consume is increased and
how can this he accomplished unless en-
terprises start up and prosper. giving
employment and profitable earnings 80
the people: and this is impossible unless
we have legislation to settle and Tx the
financial affairs of the nation so that no
man or combination of men can damoral-
lie the business of the country at will
With Mckinley as president and free
silver senate, can there be the ssary
leg Station?
1t may be answered that there will be
patriotism enough in the senate to give
the needed legislation. But It should be
remembered that every free silver sena-
tor who is sincere, believes himself pa
triotic when he stands firm and immova-
BILE for free coinage
Is it possible to have business prosperi-
ty without financial legislation? Can you
set financial legislation in the next two
years if Mckinley Is elected? What
would be the effect on the congressional
elections two years hence of continued
and prostration?
One has but to talk with his acuuaint-
ances to ascertain the fact that the free
silver movement has gained some of its
present proportions because the people
have not been prosperous under the OPP
erations of the gold standard, but have
been greatly distressed. He who sees his
condition growing worse is prepared to
support cause which offers plausible
means of relief and safe road to pros
perity, and there are multitudes of hon
est, capable thinking men who have ear
nestly studied the question and support
free coinage because they believe it best
and right.
While general prosperity which is i'm
possible under an insufficient and con-
stantly contracting volume of money of
final redemption, might weaken the
movement in favor of bimetalism, con-
tinued and increased business stagnation
and want of prosperity for the next two
years, which will be the inevitable result
of continuance of the present monetary
system and a further contraction of the
currency would give such an impetus to
the cause that 1t would find expression by
electing overwhelmingly a free silver
congress in 1898
Can we have prosperity in the next two
years without financial legislation? Can
we have such legislation with McKin-
ley as president, and free silver SEN
ate?
If we are to Judge the future by the
past there Is no reasonable prospect of
this contention being settled, il McKin
ley is elected, during his term of office.
and the people, the country, and its bust
ness interests will be forced to endure the
disasters of the past four years intensi-
fled and multiplied by a further contrac-
ton OF the currency and consequent de-
struction of property values.
If legislation on financial matters Is
necessary to prosperity, and if a free
silver senate, and probably a free silver
house, should block such legislation las
no doubt it would unless free coinage
was provided foo for the next four years.
the same issue. that is now before the
people would be before it then, with what
chance of success? If want of prosperity
and business stagnation has already
strengthened the cause of free coinage.
-FOUR years more of business prostration
and financial distress would make IL an
avalanche sweeping all before it,
If we are to experience four more years
of business depression and Industrial
stagnation, such as the past four years.
and then have free silver, is
1t not infinitely better to go to
free coinage at as early day
as practicable by the election of
free silver house of representatives and
president? For, if at the end of the next
four years, it has proven failure the
country and the people will be in a con-
dition and frame of mind to correct the
error and adopt such a financial policy
as wisdom and experience may have
proven to be sound.
If mans limb has to be amputated
to save his life, common sense dictates
that it be done, while the patient has
strength and vitality to resist the shock;
don't delay until suffering and disease
and gangrene have so weakened him that
the operation will be fatal.
So it is best for the nation, the people
and the business interests of the coun-
try, that the present financial policy I'm
der which they have suffered so much. be
done away with, amputated as ii WERE
at once, and monetary system be adopt
ed under which the people experienced
their greatest prosperity and the coun-
try achieved its greatest glories.