Smyrna times., 1896-09-30
BANKERS STINGTNG REBUKE
TO SILVER.
The American Association, Representing
$69O,OOO,0O0, Declare for Gold.

The American Bankers Association
last week in st LCuis in its twenty
second annual convention, declared
that the nations honor and prosperity
are staked on the side of sound money.
Representing business resources that
aggregate nearly 5000, 900, 900, and com
posed OF men who have for years been
engaged in financial pursuits, the
organization felt itself called upon to
issue an address pertinent to the domi-
nant political question of the day.
In terms to which vigor and signi-
canoe are lent by earnestness, the no.
table gathering denounced the free sill
yer movement as inimical to the coun-
try's best interests.
Other matters were disposed of. At
fairs of much consequence to the asso-
citation were considered and things of
professional moment to all present
were brought up, but the convention
seemed to realize that it's own affairs
had paled into relative insignifcance
beside the absorbing problem that en-
crosses American attention.
And from President E. H. Pullen's
address to the general declaration
against the 16 to 1 fallacy, the pro-
ceedings were strongly characterized
by gold standard sentiments, expressed
with unchanging firmness.
ALWAYS FOR SOUND MONEY.
In conclusion, Mr.. Pullen said
"We have assembled here on this
occasion, coming from the North and
the South, from the East and the West,
but We are not divided geographically
or by sectional differences. We are
proud, even in these troublous times,
to call ourselves American citizens. l
assumed that it is the purpose of each
and every member of this association
to be honest in all the relations of life,
even political. A man who is polite
ally dishonest is unworthy of conf
dence in business.
''Nations are made up of individuals.
and national honesty should be as
precious to each individual as his per-
sonal honesty. Honesty is the corner
stone of good character in the individ-
ual and the nation alike. The Ameri-
can Bankers Association, during its
twenty-five years history, has stood
for hOnesty-individual honesty, Off
cial honesty, national honesty.
'It has always stood for honest
mOney-fOr an honest dollar, worth 100
cents and accepted as such in all the
markets of the world. We should oc-
cupy the same position to-day, and, far
from desiring to modify our past re-
cord, we should confirm and reiterate
it with emphasis.
'In times of prevailing business de-
preston, widespread discomfort and
general unrest, the various elements
among the people that in prosperity
cannot combine their forces readily
coalesce. Dishonest money, because
it is dishonest attracts the disorderly,
lawless and revolutionary elements
the Socialist, the Populist, and the
Anarchist.
''The issue of to-day is not ex-
clusively honest money, but the very
existence of government and the pre-
servation of law, life and liberty are
at stake. Banks, especially national
banks, have been assailed by the Wit
operation Of ignorance and passion.
The banks rallied to the support of the
Government in the darkest hour of its
history, and supplied the money neces-
sary to defend its honor and life.
Eliminate banking facilities nat
ional banks and their circulation and
substitute dishonest money as the We
hicle of trade, financial chaos would
speedily result.
''Many sincerely believe, it is true,
and pity it is true, that the free and
unlimited coinage of silver at the ratio
of 16 to | and the payment of existing
obligations, public and personal, in
that metal would be for the highest
good of the country. We respect their
sincerity in honestly advocating dis
honesty but regret their hallucination
on the subject, and are sorry to see
them in such disreputable company.
''The question has finally been re-
ferred to the ballot-box for settlement.
There a is God who presides over the
destinies of nations. Let us do our
duty and then trust Him in the present
crisis of our beloved country, for the
preservation of its honor and liberty
inseparable, fora Burke said: ''yYhat
is liberty without wisdom and without
virtue9 Such liberty is the greatest
of all possible evils, for it is vice and
folly, and madness, without restraint.
From liberty without honor or
virtue from dishonesty from lawless-
ness, from anarchy and ruin, good
Lord deliver usl''