Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-08-22

81 . per ounce. measured by gold
The Charge of Reputation
Perhaps the most persistent misrepresenta-
ton that we have to answer is the charge that
We are advocating the payment of debts in So
cent dollars At the present time and under
present laws, a silver dollar, when melted,
loses nearly half its value. but that will not be
true when we again establish a mint price for
silver and leave surplus silver upon the
market to drag down the price of bullion Un-
der bimetallism silver bullion Will be worth as
much silver coin Just as gold bullion is worth
as much gold coin. and we believe that a silver
dollar will be worth much a gold dollar
The charge of reputation comes with poor
grace from those who are seeking to add to the
weight of existing debts by legislation which
makes money dearer, and who conceal their
designs against the general welfare under the
euphonious pretense that they are UNFOLDING
public credit and national honor.
In answer to the charge that gold will go
can leave this country until the owner OF the
gold receives something in return for it which
he would rather have. In other words, when
gold leaves the country those who formerly
owned it will be benefited
There is no process by which we can be COM
PEELED to part with our gold against will.
nor Is there any process by which silver can
be forced upon us without our consent
International BimetalIism.
Our opponents make no adequate provision
for the increasing money needs OF the world
In the second place, a change in the ratio is
not necessary. Hostile legislation has de-
creased the demand for silver and lowered its
price when measured by gold while this same
hostile legislation, by increasing the demand
for gold. has raised the value of gold when
measured by other forms of property
We are told that the restoration OF bimetal-
HSm would be a hardship upon those who
have entered into contracts payable in gold
coin, but this is mistake. 1t will be easier
to obtain the gold with which to meet gold
contract when most of the people can use sill
yer than it is now when everybody Is trying to
secure gold
The Chicago platform expressly declares in
favor Of such legislation as may be necessary
to prevent for the future the characterization
of any kind of legal tender money by private
contract Such contracts are objected to on
the ground that they against public policy
No questions the right of legislatures to
fix the rate of interest which can be collected
by laws there is far more reason for the pre-
venting private individuals from setting aside
legal tender law. The money which is by law
made legal tender in the course of ordinary
business will be accepted by 90 out of every leo
persons Why should the Tooth man be per-
mitted to exempt himself from the general
rule?
In conclusion. permit me to say word in re-
gard to international bimetallism- We not
opposed to an international agreement looking
to the restoration of bimetallism throughout
the world The advocates of free coinage on
all occasions have shown their willingness to
cooperate with other nations in the reinstate-
ment of silver. but they not willing to
await the pleasure of other governments when
immediate relief is needed by the people of the
United States. and they further believe that in
dependent action offers better assurance of in
ternational bimetalliim than Servile de-
pendence upon foreign aid. For more than 20
years we have invited the assistance of Euro
pean nations, but all progress in the direction
of international bimetallism has been blocked
by the opposition of those who derive pc
cuniary benefit from the appreciation Of gold
How long must We wait for bimetallism to be
brought to by those who profit by mono
metallism? If the double standard will bring
benefits to the people, who will deny them the
right to enjoy those benefits9
Our Government Should Act.
If our opponents would admit the right, the
ability and the duty of people 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 sufficient, we
could meet them in the field of honorable de-
bate, but when they assert that this nation is
helpless to protect the rights of its citf-
zens. we challenge them to submit theirs to a
people whose patriotism has never been ap-
pealed to in vain.
Citizens of New York, I have travelled from
the center of the continent to the seaboard
that might, in the very beginning of the cam
paign. bring you greeting from the people out
west and south. and assure you that their de-
sire is not to destroy but to build up. They in
wife you to accept the principles of living
faith. rather than listen to those who preach
he gospel of dispair and advise endurance of
the ills you have
The advocates of free coinage believe that
in striving to secure the immediate restoration
of bimetallism they laboring in your be-
half well as in their own behalf. A few of
tions, but the permanent welfare of
New York rests upon the producers of
wealth The great city is built
the commerce of the nation and must suffer
if that commerce is impaired You cannot sell
unless the people have money with which to
buy and they cannot obtain the money with
which buy unless they able to sell their
products at remunerative prices
ask, 1 expect your cooperation. It is
true that few of your hnanciers would
fashion new figure-a figure representing
Columbia her hands bound fast with fet-
tiers of gold and her face turned toward
the east, appealing for assistance to those
who live beyond the sea, but this figure
can never express your idea of this nation.
You will rather turn for the inspiration to the
heroic statue which guards the entrance to
your city-a statue as patriotic in conceptions
as it is colossal in proportions: it the
gracious gift of sister republic. and stands
upon a pedestal which was built by the Amer
lean people. That figure-Liberty Enlighten-
ing the Worlds emblematic of the mission
of our nation among the nations of the earth
A government which derives its powers from
the consent of the governed secures to all the
people freedom of conscience. freedom of
equal rights to all and promises special privi-
leges to none The United States should be an
example in all that is good and the leading
spirit in every movement which has for its
object the uplifting of the human race.
The delivery of Mr.. Bryan's speech
consumed nearly two hours and its
finish was greeted with hearty APP
plause. The vice presidential nomi
nee, Arthur Sewall, was next intro
duced, and Gov. Stone presented him
with the formal nomination document
Mr.. Sewall made a short speech, say
inc among other thinps: