Birmingham state herald., 1896-08-02
PUTTING ON THE rHUMBsoREw

A press dispatch with Omaha, Neb., date line tells of one of the methods to which the banks of that section are re- sorting, and which will probably be adopted in large measure by the fra ternity throughout the union to coerce the people and force them if possible to vote for Mckinley, the candidate of the money gamblers bond syndicates and trusts, combines and monopolies.
 The item is as follows:
 "Omaha, Neb., July 31.-Conslderable excitement prevails among the farmers of Boxbutt county over a communication received from the First National Bank of Alliance. The letter reads:
 towing to the constant agitation of the financial policy of the United States and the socialistic feeling emanating from the Chicago convention, there has been a doubt thrown over the minds of the people, such that points to the pos sibility of a greater panic than we have yet seen, should the laboring men of the country be thrown out of employment (now only half employeO there will be great labor trouble, such as will call on our military and cause much distrust as to the future outcome.
 We prefer to do nothing until there Is more stability rather than the chances of losing what we have, and would ad- wise all our friends to stay out of debt.
 "'We will call in all our paper this fall We have your note - que -. Please be prepared to meet it, and do not ask for further time. Yours truly,
 "'R. M. HAMPTON, "'Cashier.'
 No intelligent person need be told that the foregoing foreshadows an organized attempt by the money power to bulldoze and intimidate the people into the sup port of the republican ticket the third ticket" if the "sound money" men should nominate one. It is more than probable that the Nebraska bank Is act ing under instructions from the eastern bank. with which it keeps its account. It is said that banks in the south have already been 'advised' by their New York correspondents to pursue the course adopted by the Nebraska concern, and it is understood that this advice" will be given by the eastern bankers to all southern and western banks. Whether this be true or not, there is thoroughly well-defined conviction, abroad that the banks, with few hon. orable exceptions are arraying them- selves with the gold grabbers and bond syndicates against the vast majority of the voters of this country for the express purpose of defeating the democratic na- tional ticket and permanently establish ing gold monometallism as the financial policy of this government.
 The advocates of the gold standard have done many very foolish things in pressing their crusade against bimetal- lism. and it is no surprise that they now attempt coercion to accomplish their purpose. The mistake they have con tinually made, and still make, Is that they believe they are dealing with knaves. fools and towards. They do not realize that the courage and patriotism of American manhood is behind this movement for financial reform and SUD- porting it with the devotion and enthu- s.asm of a thoroughly disciplined and victorious army, every man of which feels that he is fighting for the preser- vation and maintenance Of his personal liberty. They can neither be bought nor cajoled, much less can they be driven to the support of a system that expe- rience has long since taught them means the destruction of their financial inde- pendence and freedom. They will and they ought to resist to the bitter end ev- cry arrogant and domineerlng scheme and conspiracy, from whatever source 1t proceeds, to force them to surrender their manhood and independence to the unsuitable greed and rapacity of the wreckers of the nations credit and honor and prosperity.
 Every letter like the above, emapat- ing from a similar source, will bring to the cause of democracy and free coln- age the support of hundreds of patriotic | American voters who can neither be ca joled, bribed nor intmidated.
 Democrats, get out tomorrow and do