Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-02-28

ence lately assembled in Washington
city, to organize the silver forces il
these United States, in the battle
which is to take place for the posses
sion of the government this year, it il
thought proper that | should make
some statement to the people in refer
ence to it.
AS the necessity of money as u me-
dunn of exchange became revealed to
the minds of men, the two metals
finally accepted as the most suitable
for money were silver and gold. This
was natural because they were the two
most precious metals adapted to the
purpose, and were sufficiently limited
in quantity.
AS mining has developed the fact
that these two metals existed in the
earth in almost certain proportions, a
natural ratio of value was assumed.
This ratio has continued as arranged
by man under the natural order as he
found it. 1t was accepted by mankind
as a part of the grand plan upon
which the world was to move, and was
approved by the philosophy and COM
mon sense OF all ages.
From this condition OF regular order
and contentment, contributing to the
gradual elevation of all classes of So
ciety, the extension of civilization. and
the general betterment of the human
race, this country and the world has
been ruthlessly torn.
1t has been done by the rejection Of
one of the precious metals in the in
terests of greed, and by this act the
money changers have been enthroned.
and the narrowing of the scope of
monetization begun. AS monetiza-
ton has been narrowed, money has be-
come scarcer in proportion, and falling
prices have been the hane Of this world.
Itwas predicted after the demonetiza-
ton of silver that great suffering would
follow. This suffering is already here.
From a contraction OF the currency
we are now in the throes of one OF
these desperate stages of human ex-
perience-a period Of heartache, canker
and sleepness nights as the founda-
tions of prices have crumbled. Obliga.
tions resting upon the supposed firm
foundation OF a price in ready money
have crumbled into dirt as the founda.
ton of the price has crumbled. The
country is confronted by grave
emergency. Further theorizing j.
futile. The agitation of the money
question must be settled by peaceful
methods that will give practical results
Long, patient and dispassionate re-
Election has convinced me that an
independent American financial sys
tenn is absolutely necessary to the
restoration Of national prosperity and
the establishment of commercial con
ditions in this country that will give
the common people-the agriculture
and laboring classes-an equal show
with capital and concentrated wealth
How can it be effected? Can it b,
done through either the Republican
or Democratic party as now constituted
No. Both organizations are under
the blighting influence OF Eastern
money power. The record of every
national convention OF both parties fol
years is plain proof of the assertion
The legislation of both parties in Con
gress is proof that it is impossible as {
party question.
What, then, is to be doney Al
patriots, ss Americans who are fol
America sgainst the world, what il
our first and controlling duty in this
crisis? Shall we longer heed thu
false promises of party platform
declarations? Shall We longer sub
init to the academic discussion o
what bimetallism means? Shall it bt
another campaign OF straddling ant
eauivocation? Or shall the issue bt
squarely on the free coinage of silvel
and gold, and a President elected wht
represents the people OIL that grea
question:
The first step, the essential pre-
lliminary to the correction of presen
abuses, the re. establishment of ma
tional prosperity and the mainten
ance of our national credit. is tn
election of President whose Andrev
Jackson courage and inaexible in
tegrity will defy the influences tha
prostitutes Presidents and Cabinets
and makes the administration of tn
government subject Of humiliation ant
reproach.
Strong in character and intention
as may be the standard bearer OF tn
Republican or Democratic party II
the coming campaign, it will hardl.
he nossible for him to rise above In
auences that secured his nomination
or the environments that must SUI