Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-05-28

II cannot DO wondered nc that the
fnanciers and business mon Of the
country regard with grave mistrust
the probability OF McKinley's nomina-
tion and election 70 the Presidency, in
view OF the uncertainty as to his real
views upon national finances To elect
as President man who is unsound on
the money question would be too
dangerous an experiment.
Hamilton & Co. OF Baltimore,
brokers'. in their financial letter Of
Saturdays date, refer to the matter as
follows;
We have letter from a cor
respondent in Ohio which, in COM
menting upon our remarks of last week
regarding the uncertainty Of Mr.. Me-
Kinley's views ON the currency ques-
! ton, says: "We here, who know him
| intimately, know him to be as sound
| as a gold dollar.n Our friend also
sends us some newspaper clippings and
remarks that, after reading the same,
we must realize there is some reason
for McKinley's silence, "
We sincerely wish we could do so,
but the only Interpretation which we
can place upon Mr.. Mokinley's refusal
| to answer the simple question whether
he is opposed to free-silyer coinage and
is in favor Of maintaining gold as
measure OF value, is that he is afraid
| of losing votes in the convention by
offending the sound-money men on one
side or the free silver advocates on the
other.
We believe that the Republican COLI
vention will adopt a strong, sound
money platform and declare emphati-
ealiy against free silver tive hope tho
Democratic convention will do the
same, but are not SO sure of it), and
that Mr.. Mckinley, If he is chosen as
tho candidate of the party, will accept
the platform, but Judging from his
refusal to express his sentiments in adj
vance, we are led to infer that he would
accept the nomination oven il the con-
vention should adopt eyasive and un-
certain financial resolutions
We have great respect for our friend
and correspondents opinion, and arc
at least glad to know that at home Mr..
Mckinley is considered Has sound as
a gold dollar.
The supremacy Of sound money
} party and candidate is vital to the
life and safety OF the country and
people. So important is it, that those
who are engaged in trade, commerce,
finance, manufacturing and business
generally and the laboring classes who
understand the question are willing to
sacrifice party preferences aud every
other consideration, to blot out this
miserable silver herosy, which has
paralyzed trade and ruinously de-
preeiated values. We cannot afford to
make any mistake in the coming
Presidential election, and therefore
business people do not desire the nomi-
nation of any man who refuses to pro.
claim from the house top exactly how
and where he stands on the currency
question.
And yet, in the face OF protests like
this from all sections of the country,
and appeals from business interests
generally, Mckinley maintains stub,
born silence. He refuses TO state what
are his financial views at present and
his friends point to his record as proc
that he is in favor of sound money.
But his record, unfortunately, shows
him to be more in favor Of the free
coinage of silver.
Such man should not be elected
President of the United States. lie
should not even receive the nomination
of any political party for the high
Office.