Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-27
Free Silver Attacked, and the
Claims for a Protec-
tive Tariff Set
Forth.

The full text of Maj. McKinleys letter
accepting the republican nomination for
the presidency, which was given to the
press last light. is as follows:
John NJ. Thurston and Others, Members of
the Notification Committee of the Repub-
lican National Convention:
Gentlemen: In pursuance of the promise
made to your committee when notified of
my nomination as the republican candidate
for President. i beg to submit this formal
acceptance of that high honor. and to con-
slider in detail questions at issue in the
pending campagn. Perhaps this might be
considered unnecessary in view of my re-
marks on that occasion and those 1 have
made to delegations that have visited me
since the St Louis convention, but in view
of the me- mentous Importance of the proper
settlement of the issues presented on onr
future prosperity and standing a nation,
and considering only the Welfare and hap
piness of our people. 1 could not be content
TO omit again calling attention to the ques-
lions which, in my opinion vitality affect
our strer 9Th and position among the gov
srnments of the world and our morality.
integrity and patriotism citizens of that
Republic which for a century past has been
the best hope of the world and the inspira-
ton of mankind. We must not now prove
m"nt. ror unmindful of the noble example
and wise precepts of our fathers, of the
confidence and trust which cur conduct in
the past has always inspired.
The Free Coinage of Silver.
For the first time since 1888 If ever be-
fore, there is presented to the American
people this year a clear and direct issue as
TO our monetary system, of vast import
ance in its effects and upon the right set
Element of which rests largely the financial
honor and prosperity of the country. 1t is
proposed ~ one wing Of the democratic
party and its allies, the peoples and silver
parties, to lnaugurate the free and unlim-
tied coinage of silver by Independent ac-
ton on the part of the United States at a
ratio of sixteen ounces of silver to one
ounce OF gold. The mere declaration of
this purpose is a menace to our financial
and industrial interests, and has already
created universal alarm.
1t involves great peril to the credit and
business Of the country-a peril so grave
that conservative men everyvh here are
breaking away from their old party asso-
Citations and uniting with other patriotic
citizens in emphatic protest against the
platform OF the democratic national con-
vention as an assault upon the faith and
honor of the government and the welfare
of the people. We have had few questions
In the lifetime of the republic more serious
than the one which is thus presented.
No behcht 10 L0DOf.
The character of the money that shall
measure our values and exchanges and set
tie our balances with one another, and with
the nations of the world, Is Of such pri-
mary Importance and SO far reaching in its
consequences as to call for the most pains
taking investigation, and, In the end, a So
Der and unprecedented judgment at the polls
We must not be msled by phrases nor de-
luded by false theories. Free silver would
not mean that silver dollars were to be
freely had without cost or labor.
1t would mean the free use of the minis
Of the United States for the few who are
owners of silver bullion, but would make
silver coin no freer to the many who are
engaged In other enterprises. 1t would not
make labor easier. the hours Of labor short
er or the pay better. 1t would not make
farming less laborious or more profitable.
1t would not start factory nor make a de-
mand for an additional days labor. 1t
would create no new occupations. 1t would
add nothing to the comfort Of the Masses
the capital of the people or the wealth of
the nation 1t seeks to introduce a new
measure of value, but would add no value
to the thing measured. 1t would not con-
serve values. On the contrary. 1t would
derange all existing values. 1t would not
restore business confidence, but its direct
effect would be to destroy the little which
yet remains.
What 1t Means.
The meaning OF the coinage plank adopt
ed at Chicago Is that any one may take
q quantity of silver bullion now worth
IS cents to the mints Of the United States,
have it coined at the expense of the gov
eminent and receive for 1t q silver dollar
which shall be legal tender for the pay
ment of all debts, public and private. The
owner Of the silver bullion would get the
silver dollar. 1t would belong to him and
TO nobody else.
ann1n -nr,l1 ynt 4 nr1x hx, hot,
labor, the products Of their land or some
thirg of value. The bullion owner on the
basis Of present values. would receive the
silver dollars for 50 cents worth of SILVER
and other people would be required to re-
ceive 1t as a full dollar in the payment
Of debts. The government would get moth
Ing from the transaction. 1t would bear
the expense of coming the silver and the
community would suffer loss by its use.
The Dollars Compared.
We have coined since 1878 more than four
hundred millions of silver dollars, which
are maintained by the government at par
fty with gold, and are a full legal tender
Tor the payment of all debts. public and
private. How are the silver dollars now
In use different from those which would
be In use under free coinage?
They are to be of the same weight and