Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-08-13


certain months must elapse, but we fear
reaction and the first regular session and
assert that during that time in case the
people declare themselves in favor of
free coinage oil leans will be Withdrawn
a1d all mortgages foreclosed. If these
are merely prophesies INDUCED in by
those who have forgotten the provisions
of tie constitutions it will be sufficient
to remind them that the executive is en-
powered to convene congress i'll eXofal-
nary session whenever the public good
requires such action. If in November
the people by their ballots declare them
selves in favor Of the immediate resto-
ration of bimetallism, the system can
be inaugurated within a few months.
If, however, the assertion that loans will
be withdrawn and mortgages foreelosed
is made to prevent such political action
as the people may believe to lie necessa-
ry for the preservation of their rights,
then new and vital issue is raised.
Whenever it is necessary for the peo-
pie as whole to obtain consent from the
owner of money and the changers of
money before they can legislate upon
financial questions we shall have passed
from a democracy to plutocracy. But
that timeh aas not yet arrived. threats
and intimidation will be of no avail. The
people who in 1776 rejected the doctrine
tina kings rule by right divine will not
in this generation subscribe that money
is omnipotent.
In conclusion permit me to say word
in regard to international bimetalllsm.
We are not opposed to an international
agreement looking to the restoration of
bimetalllism throughout the world. The
advocates of free coinage have on all
occasions shown their willingness to CO.
operate with other nations in the rem
statement of silver. but they are not
willing to await the pleasure t other gov
ernments when immediate reltef is need
ed by the people of the United states,
and they further believe that independ-
emit action offers better assurance OF IN
ternational bimetallism than serVlle de-
pendence upon foreign aid. For more
than twenty years we have invited the
assistance of European nations, put all
progress in the direction of International
bimetalism has been blocked by the OPP
position of those who derive pecunl-
airy benefit from the appreciation OF golu.
How long must we wait for bimetallsm
to be brought back to us by those VINO
profit by monometallism? If the double
standard will bring benefits to our peo-
pie. who will deny them the right to en-
Joy those benefits? If our opponents
would admit the right and the abilityt or
our people to act for themselves on all
public questions without the assistance
and regardless of the wishes OF other
nations, and then propose the remedial
legislation which they consider sulfcleht.
we will meet them in the nelu OF
honorable debate, but when they assert
that this nation is helpless to protect the
rights of its own citizens we challenge
them to submit the issue to a people
whose patriotism has never been ap
pealed to in vain. We shall not oHenu
other nations when we declare the right
of the American people to govern tneh-
selves and without let or hindrance from
without decided upon every question
presented for their consideration. In
taking this position we simply MAINTAIN
the dignity of 100000 OF c1tizens VINO
are second to none in their capacity for
self-government.
The gold standard has compelled the
American people to pay an ever increas-
ing tribute to the creditor nations OF the
world-a tribute which no one dares 10
defend. / assert that national honor re-
quires the United States to secure JUS
tice for all it's citizens as well as to 90
Justice to all its creditors. For people
like ours, blest with the natural re-
sources of SURPRISING richness to pro-
claim themselves impotent to frame
financial system suited to their own
needs. is humiliating beyond the power
of language to describe. We cannot en-
force respect for our foreign policy so
long as we confess ourselves unable to
frame our own financial policy. Honest
differences of opinion have always ex-
listed and ever will exist as to legisla-
ton best calculated to promote the pub
lie veal but when it is seriously ASSERT
ed that this nation must bow to the die
tation of other nations and accept the
policies which they insist upon, the right
of self-government is assailed, and until
that question is settled all other ques-
lions are insignificant.
Citizens of New York, 1 have travelled
from the center of the continent to the
seaboard that l might, in the very begin
ming of the campaign, bring you greeting
from the people of the west and south
t1of ttnir 1ozir ia n
destroy, but to build up. They invite you
to accept the principles of living faith
ra Their than listen to those who teach
the gospel of despair and advise en-
durance of the ills you have. The advo-
Gates of free coinage believe that, In
striving to secure the immediate restora-
ton of bimetallism, they are laboring in
your behalf as we'll as in their own be-
half. A few of your people may prosper
under present conditions but the perma-
nent welfare of New York rests upon the
producers of wealth. This great city is
built upon the commerce of the nation,
and must suffer If that commerce is i'm
paired. You cannot sell unless the people
have money with which to buy. and they
cannot obtain the money with which to
buy unless they are able to sell their
products at remunerative prices. Pro-
duction of wealth goes before the ex-
change of wealth; those who create must
secure profit before they have anything
to snare with others. You cannot aUOru
to join the money changers in supporting
a financial policy which, by destroying
the purchasing power of the products of
toll but in the end discourage the crea-
ton of wealth.
1 ask-I expect-your cooperation. 1t
is true that few of your fnanciers
would fashion new figure--a figure rep
resenting Columbia, her hands bound fast
with letters of gold and her face turned
toward the east appealing for assistance
to those who live beyond the sea-
but this figure can never ex-
press your idea of this nation. You
will rather turn for inspiration to the
heroic statue which guards the entrance
to your city-a statue as patriotic in con-
ception as it is colossal in proportion.
1t was the gracious gift of a sister re-
public and stands upon pedestal which
was built by the American people. That
ffgure-lberty enlightening the world
is emblematic of the mission of our ma
ton among the nations of the earth.
With a government which derives its
powers from the consent of the govern-
ed, secures to all the people freedom of
conscience, freedom of thought and free
dom of speech, guarantees equal rights
to all and promises special privileges to