The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1896-07-18
No l..

vitatiOn extended some time ago to the
advocates of the free and unlimited
coinage Of silver to discuss the aues-
tion in the columns IF the SENTINEL
and we begin in this issue a series of
articles on the question, and plead for
a calm and dispassionate c%onsidera-
ton of the facts and arguments that
we shall present. We were ardent
b~imetallists long before the meeting
Of tho Chicago Convention. aud feel
encouraged and sustained in our con.
victiOns. by the endorsement given so
overwhelmingly by the assembled
wisdom Of the party of the People. the
grand old Democratic Party. We now
feel that we a advocate, with all the
zeal and ability that we can conn and,
the cause in which our sympatlies
were already enlisted.
We feel confident that there are
many who have adopted the princi-
pies of gold monometallism for the
reason that they have misconceived
the true position Of bi-metallists, and
that, when their misconceptions shall
have been removed, they will come
to e clearly that our cause ia the
cause Of the people, and of justice and
common honesty. There are others
who have taken an attitude Of hOstili.
ty to bimetallism for the reason that
they have read only one side Of the
question. and Oostinatelv refuse to
be enlightened, or to hear what we
have to say on the issue. It ia useless
to argue with the latter class, for they
are like men who have ears to hear,
and hear not, and eyes to see and see
not. There are others again who have
partially studied the qnestion, jumped
I" the conclusion that the gold side
was rightand then and there refused to
hear any furthur argument on the side
Of bimetallism. This latter class is
very hard to convert, but We have
hopes that they will listen to reason,
and read what we have to say on the
side of b~i-metallism.
The issue before the American peo-
pie is Of common sense and JUS
tice, and involves the safety and eta
bility of II institutions. It is of the
utmost importance that the people
should be educated as to the right and
wrong If this vital question. Let
those who have the interests of the
people at heart, and who love Justice
and hate iniquity weigh we'll the facts
anu arguments that we advo-
vOcates Of bi-metallism will adduce.
N" one can afford to make a mistake
as to what manner he shall cast his
vote in the coming election.
The currency question ia the one
Overshadowing issue before tho Amer
lean people. Politicians may try to
it by preaching the benefits
of Protection. but the masses care
about Protection or anything
else, when they have nothing to eat,
and when their products find no pur-
chasers and their labor is drug in the
market. The people now believe that
the demonstration of silver is the
cause Of all their woes, and they will
not rest satisfied until silver is restored
to it's righttul position Of money of ulti-
mate redemption. They have been
told that they were not fit to express
an opinion on this question, and that
only men who have the habit of hand
ling money can properly determine
the right aud wrong OF the question.
In Other words, the corporate wealth
Of the country, who have made their
wealth, to a very large extent, by
grinding down the faces Of the masses
are the ones it is claimed who are
to declare what should be
done in the matter. This view may
itself to the inhabitants Of
Wall Street. but the people have come
to the conclusion that they know what
right in this matter, and they are
going to be heard from at the polls in
DEMOCRAT.