West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1896-05-07
BIMETALLISM.
An Able and Eloquent Appeal For a
Double Standard.
An Article That should BE Read
aud Pondered over BY Every
Thoughtful Citizen.
To the ElI.or Of TIM Ansus.

! VIII you permit me through the
columns Of your paper. to address
a few thoughts to tho Democrats of
Preston county, on what appears to
me to &c the real issue that will be
involved in the coming campaign 4?
1t is a source of regret that in doing
so, shall have to differ with some,
at least, with whom | have fought
for many years, against the COM
mon enemy. This is the more un :
pleasant, because | have no reason
TO doubt their honesty and sincerity.
L therefore deeply regret the Access
slty, which my conscientious con
victions seem to impose upon me,
if speak at all, of differing with
those whose opinions | have always
respected, and whose patriotism
cannot for moment question. But
still more to be deplored, is the
fact, no longer to be conceded, that
"a serious division exists in our par
ty, upon the financial policy that
ought to be adopted by the United
States. The question now confront.
ing us as a party is, whether we, as
nation, shall adopt, or continue,
rather, what is known as the ''gold
Standard" or whether we shall re-
turn to the system under which we
lived from the foundation of the
government, down to the year 1878.
The advocates of the gold stan
dard, or gold monometallism insist
that gold alone shall constitute the
standard of values in this country,
and shall be tho only money of
final redemption; that all money,
of Whatever kind. shall be redeem.
able only in gold. Those advocAt-
ing the restoration of silver, through
free coinage, to the place 1t occu-
pied in our monetary system down
to 1873, contend that the supply Of
gold, available as money, is alto
gether inadequate to the wants of
the country, and not adapted TO
the purposes aud functions Of
circulating medium-that the double
standard, based upon gold and
silver both, in the true finan-
cial theory, and that the supply OF
both metals, admitted to the mints
upon equal terms, will not furnish
more money than the business OF
the country and the great increase
of population demand. All the
people of this country are interested,
and vitallY interested, in the solu-
tion Of this question, Repu blIcans
and Democrats alike. And while
the Republicans are perhaps not as
seriously divided as the Democrats,
on this question, and for reasons
which / may at some future time
attempt to explain, still, there is a
great lack Of unanimity amongst
them, too. This question is up for
solution, and must be met. Like
Banquo's ghost, cit will not down"
The St. Louis and Chicago conyen.
tions must both wrestle with this
problem. There is no dodginq it.
The tariff will occupy it's usual
place in the platforms, and the
Foreign policy" will get an "air-
ing;' and the "Monroe doctrine"
and Cuba will come in for their
share Of the fine spun oratorical
effort, and we'll selected verbal am
biquities, but the burning question
will be the financial problem; and
whatever is said in the platforms
upon that issue, must DO frank,
honest, and free from ambiguity.
IL must be gold monometalism with
all that implies, or bimetallism,
based upon the free coinage Of sill
yer, with all that that term i'm
ports. It will be "choose ye this
day whom you will serve"
Now the alternative is presented
TO rs, as Democrats and citizens, Of
assisting by our votes and influence,
in the establishment Of one or the
other Of these systems. Which
shall it be? 10 is not my purpose
in this ar.icle 10 attempt 70 discuss
this subject IN anything approach
ing detail; but if your readers will
indulge me, l will endeavor, in a
future article, or articles, TO give
my reasons "for the faith that is in
me" more fully For the present,
! ! shall content myself with the con.