The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-08-24
NO COMPROMISE.

Some well meaning but not too firm Re
publicsns are quietly deprecating the
course of their party in this state. and
advise a more conciliatory tone toward
those who are inclining to free silver.
They ask: why do you so persistently
denounce free coinage; why not meet the
free siverites half way?" The answer is,
because the danger of free coinage Is such
that failure to denounce 1t would be not
only cowarily. but grave neglect of duty.
There can be no compromise with free
silver just now. The only question, so far
as the money issue is concerned. Is whether
this country shall remain on a sound basis
or jeopardize its prosperity for years by a
deplorable blunder--the attempt TO main
tain alone the parity OF silver with gold
at fictitious ratio. The free silverites
admit OF no compromise; they have de-
clared positively In favor only OF that
false ratio. and all sound money men can
do Is 20 show the people who have any
doubt on the subject why such course
win be disastrous. and why the ratio that
was adopted In the early days OF our his
tory is an impossible ratio now.
or course, the talking Is not all on one
side. The free siiverites make a very
plausible showing. but Il will be observed
that the speeches are mainly devoted to
showing our present conditions. which
exist beyond doubt. ana that they wind up
by declaring free silver 10 be the remedy.
The same Kind OF talk characterized the
campaign OF lss2. The unsatisfactory con-
ditfon Of the country following the Barring
failure. the graspsng monopolies. the down
trodden people were all pictured and d.
lated upon. and the windup OF those
speeches was then always. Vote for fres
trade. and all will be changed"
Some or the orators are very like the
vendor OF patent medicines at street
corners He describes symptoms OF al
ments so accurately that half the people
in the crowd believe he must know Just
what - The matter with them. Having
thus won their attention, he concludes by
telling them that his nostrum win cure
them. But II does not always follow that
because the symptoms are accurately de-
sorsbed. the offered penacea viii remove
the trouble Republicans and sound money
men generally admit. OF course. that the
times have been unusually hard, that for
two or three years there has been a most
exceptional falling or in tho demand for
labor They realize that while these con-
6itions have been due very largely 20
economic causes. legislation may assist in
Fastening return 70 the normal state
which. however. would come. even if more
slowly. under the u7writs.n law OF com
neroe
But n Is because return to prosperity
win Ne retarded. rot advanced. by the
free coinage CT silver; becauss sound
money rnen are SIS keenlv anxious as free
/ silver;ies 70 see a resumption Of trade
activity: because a false remedy Is offered
for certain II. bseaaxe the election o,
+ Bryan wi1 shake confidence. while that
% McKiniey All restore gt-these are the
rsasons. the powerful. I-retragzsle. mos.
urgent reasons why there can be no CON.
promise. no hiding Q: the truth 1nder
rnisles sing phrases.
/ The free coinage OK silver ~ the pro
+ posed ratio vii BE most rsIschievoos-
there can ~ 70 corn2rc-nise N chat. = The
Bryanlte forces IN the community sao1la
b any unhappy misoA&acs prevail over
ths common senss % TIE Seop3e. ire rssa,,
MI be simply sisastrous-theTs can b@ 10
( compromise about thzt
IL true thew teIl rs tia; ws are great
enough 20 force Europe 10 ocrne 20 car
ter-as They ted uS the same ching In
IS1. Tssy tod us thai II We opened car
& markets - cheap Eurcpesn MANUFACTURES.
Europe would take hscS our agricultural
prosscIs Bat Il G13 not: Ezg.2-a vas