Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-09-03
McKlnley's Letter Of Acceptance.


of the principles enunciated and the
policies defined In the Republican
llatform, a clear statement OF his
own views on the issues between the
parties, and q convincing argument
In favor of Republican policy. Major
Nc Kinley is not on the defensive in
a single line of his letter, and there
is not a sentence or phrase or a
word that even so much hints at apol-
ogy or excuse. He stands squarely on
the platform, evades no issue, apol-
ogizes for no act OF the conventions;
but, holding high the standard Of
stalwart Republicanism, makes
known his pride In the party record
and his belief in and attachment to
Republican principles.
1t is a great letter, strong In all
the essentials of craftsmanship and
yet simple, In that the arguments
are addressed to the common people.
The silver question is discussed, not
from the standpoint of the specialist
or student, or expert, but as though
the writer wanted the men who are
to vote for him or against him to
understand the question at issue, as
we'll as the position of the candidate
thereon. He explains that free silver
would mean the free use of the minis
for the few who are the owners Of
silver bullion, but would make silver
coin no freer to the many engaged ia
other enterprises. 1t would not make
labor easier, the hours of labor short
er, or pay better. 1t would create
no new occupation, would not start a
factory, nor make a demand for an
additional days labor, would add
nothing to the comfort of the masses,
the capital Of the people or the wealth
OF the nation. This is simplicity it
self, but there Is no escape from 1t
and in this way Major Mckinley
opens fair and candid discussion of
the silver question.
Put free silver Is only one issue,
and beginning with the words, "The
peril of free silver is a menace to be
feared; we are already experiencing
the effect of partial free trade. The
one must be averted, the other cor.
rected," Maj. Mckinley comes to the
main issue Of the campaign, protcc-
ton, declaring that "men realize in
their own daily lives what before
was to many OF them only report,
history, or tradition" He pictures
the change that came over the coun-
try between 1892 and 1894, and, re-
marking that we had the same cur
rency and the same per capita OF
money asks, @What had occurred?n
In answering he makes one of the
crispest, strongest and most convinc-
ing arguments in favor of protection
and reciprocity that has ever been
written, and as II to clinch the mat
ter beyond controversy, adds: Ill
elected will vigorously promote pro-
tective legislation"
The keynote OF the letter 10 the
part devoted to protection and reel
procity, to the measure that Affected
the treasury and the employment OF
the people. The peril Of free trade
Is to be averted; the existing evil OF
free trade Is to be corrected. The
letter is crowded with epigrammatic
and striking paragraphs. Here is
one of the best:
at is not an increase in the volume
OF money which Is the need of the
time, but an increase In the volume
OF business. Not an increase OF coin,
but an increase OF confidence. Not
more coinage, but more active use
Of the money coined. Not open minis
for the unlimited coinage Of the sill
YER of the world, but open mills for
the foil and unrestricted labor OF
the American workingmen."- Inter
Ocean.