Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-02-27
Vcrmont's "Grand Old Man. -

II any intelligent man has seriously
doubted the ability of Senator Morrill, to
serve his State and nation faithfully and
we'll in spite of his advanced years. that
doubt must have been removed by the
spectacle afforded by the struggle that has
been in progress in the United States Sem
ate during the past eight weeks. In his
position as chairman of the Senate finance
committee Senator Morrill, has borne up
under the burden and heat Of a series of
contests over the silver question from
which many men of younger years and
more robust constitutions might we'll
quail; and yet he has stood manfully at
his post Of duty battling for the right.
Those who know how clear are his percep-
tions of the principles Of sound finance
and how strong his loyalty to his convic-
tons do not need to be told that when he
said he felt like exciaiming God save
the commonwealth" in reporting the sill
yer substitute for the House revenue meas
ure ordered by majority of the finance
committee. no spoke from the depth of his
innermost feelings.
Senator Morrill, realizes that the openinr
this time would mean the depreciation of
our money In the markets of the globe, and
he has sturdily resisted with all his power
every encroachment of the free COMA ge
forces. Senator Morrill, believes in the use
of silver as we'll as gold in our monetary
system, but he holds that the United
States alone can not establish free COIN
age. His position on this question Is well
defined in the sentiment written by him in
commemoration of the fortieth anniver-
sary of the birth of the republican party
which was celebrated on Saturday in
many parts of the country. Senator Nor
ril said:
The republican party will at it's earlies
opportunity seek the cooperation of lead
ing nations in the coinage of silver, and
will meantime aim to maintain the integ
rity of business affairs and the honor OF
the country by the maintenance of every
dollar OF money in the hands of the people
without depreciation, at its full face
value"
These are grand words fifty spoken, and
If a clear majority of the United States
Senate were to-day made up of men lik
the distinguished author of this sentmen
W. "NN'N Aict Httu " ne
for the future of our financial system nor
tremble for our nations credit at home OF
abroad.
But Senator Morril's efforts have moi
been directed alone to the prevention OF
the lowering of our monetary standard
lie Is doing efficient service in connection
with the revenue bill now before the Sen.
ate, and IL the measure finally nasses tbf
upper branch of Congress in the form ir
which 1t came from the House. The victor,
VIII be due in no small degree to his lead
ership. The silver men OF the Northwest
are now employing new tactics In antag
onizing the bill In question, and are insin
cerely calling for higher duties on WOO
and lead ore than are proposed in tina
measure, knowing that If the door /.
once opened to changes there will be nc
limit to the demands for recognition Of
other interests than those represented by
the two articles named.
The Washington correspondent Of All,
New York Press tells of Senator morrill,.
missionary work among the "rebeiliou,
Northwesterners." and although they a.
yet refuse to be convinced that thew ar.
wrong, the venerable chairman of the fl
nance committee is not without hone TIL,
spectacle afforded by vermont's "grant
old man thus working for the nation,
financial welfare and credit can not fai
10 increase the admiration and affection
OF the people for him. and lead them I,
applaud the Green Mountain State fol
keeping him "at the front"