Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1896-02-27
A SILVER APPEAL
To All Parties in Behalf of the
White Metal.
j. j. Mott. Chairman of the National Com
mittee of the Silver Party, Urges
Silver Men to Break Party
Lines and Unite.

chairman of the national committee OF
the silver party, has issued the follow
ing address to the people:
As chairman of the national commit
tee appointed by the silver conference
lately assembled in Washington City to
organize the silver forces in these
United States in the battle which is to
take place for the possession of the
government this year. it is thought
proper that / should make some state
ment to the people in reference to it.
As the necessity of money as medium
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 almost in
certain proportions, the natural ratio
of the value was assumed. This ratio
has continued. as arranged by man I'M
der the natural order as he found it. 1t
was accepted by mankind as part of
the grand plan upon which the world
was to move and approved by the phi
losophy and common 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
this nd la
been ruthlessly torn. 1t has been done
by the rejection of one of the precious
metals in the interest of greed, and
by this act the money changers
have been dethroned and the narrow
ing of the scope of monetization be-
gun. As monetization has been mar
rowed. money has been scarcer, in pro-
portion. and as money became scarcer
prices fell in proportion. and falling
prices have been the bane of this
world. 1t was predicted after the de-
monetization of silver that great suf-
fering would follow:
AN INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL STAND.
This suffering is already here. From
contraction of the currency we are
now in the throes of one CT these des-
perate stages of human experiences
period of heartache. canker and Sleep
less nights. The foundation of prices
has crumbled. Obligations resting
upon the supposed firm foundation of
price in ready money have crumbled
into dirt as the founda ton of the price
has crumbled. The country is con-
fronted by grave emergency. Fur
Their theorizing is futile The agita-
ton OF the money question must be
settled by peaceful methods that will
give practical relief.
Patient and dispassionate reflection
has convinced me that an indie
pendent American financial situation
is absolutely necessary to the restora
ton of national prosperity and the es-
tablishment of commercial conditions
in this country that will give the COM
mon people-the agricultural and lab
oring classes-an equal show with cap
ital and concentrated wealth.
How can it be effected? Can it be
done through either the republican or
democratic party as now constituted?
No. Both organizations are under the
blighting influence of the eastern
money power. The record of every
national convention of both parties
for years is plain proof of the asser-
ton. The legislation of both parties
in congress is proof that it is impossi-
BILE, as party question.
What then is to be done? AS patri-
OTIS. as Americans who are for America
against the world, what is our first and
controlling duty in this crisis? Shall
we longer heed the false promises of
party platfereay declarations? Shall
S We the asn,
means9 Shaif e bbs e asgnro;ther campaign
of amHuBczBdC axnaro SdtAqn? Or
shall the issue btresdna fe1pt6n. the free
coinage of silver and gold, and a presi-
dent elected who represents the people
OF that great question? The first step
the essential preliminary to the cor
rection of present abuses, the re-estab-
1ishment of national prosperity and
the maintenance of our national credit
is the election of president whose
Andrew Jackson courage and infexible
integrity will defy the influences that
prostitute presidents and cabinets and
make the administration Of the gov
eminent subject of humiliation and
reproach.
OUTSIDE OLD PARTY LINES
Strong in character and intention as
may be the standard-bearer of the re-
publican or democratic party in the
coming campaign, it will hardly be pos
sible for him to rise above influences
that secured his nomination or the
environments that must surround him,
in the event of his election. The one
hope of the people, l am convinced,
is in the election of a president
pledged. Internationally and unre-
servedly, to the free and unlimited
coinage of silver and gold, the same as
from the foundation of our government
until 1873; and also Internationally
pledged in favor of a national currency,
without the Intervention of banks of
issue. and against the issuance of in
terest-bearing bonds in time of peace,
for any purpose whatever.
appeal not only to republicans in
NV own state, who can appreciate the
sacrifice / make in renouncing party
obligations on this question in advance
OF party action in the premises. but to
the people throughout the country.
without regard to party, to cooperate
In this great national, non-partisan
American movement to sustain
the industrial and financial in
dependence of the United States
in the pending conflict. This senti-
ment influences me to accept the chair
msnship of the national silver party.