The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-09-04
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.

buu patTiptlSlu uS CltlEeuS OF tQaC re-
public which Tor n century past has
been the best hopo Of the world and
the inspiration of mankind. We must
not now prove false to our government,
nor unmindful of the noble example
aud wise precepts of our fathers or CT
tho confidence and trust which our
conduct in the past hns always in
spired.
For the first time since 1868, if ever
before, there is presented to the Amer
lean people this year clear and direct
issue rs to our monetary system, Of vast
Importance in its effects and upon the
right settlement of which rests largely
tho financial honor and prosperity of
the country. 1t is proposed by one
wing of the Democratic party and it's
allies, the Peoples end Silver parties,
to inaugurate tho free and unlimited
coinage of silver by independent action
on the part of tho United States at a
ratio of 1G ounces of silver to | ounce
Of gold. The mere declaration of this
purpose ls menace to our financial
md industrial interests and has already
created universal alarm. 1t involves
great peril to the credit md business
nf the country, peril so grave that
conservative men everywhere are
breaking away from their old party as
socintions and united with other pntri.
otic citizens in emphatic prytest against
ihc platform OF the Democratic nation
nj convention rs an assault upon the
faith ana honor o! the government and
welfare of the people. We have had
few questions III The life time of the rc-
public moIC serious ihnn the one which
Is thus presented
The character Of the money which
shall measure our values and exchanges
and settle our balances with ono
another aud with the nations of the
world, is of such primary Importance,
and so far reaching in its consequences,
rs to call for the most pninstaking in
vcstiSntion, and, in the end, sober
and unprcjudiccd Judgment at the
polls. We must not be mislcd by
phrases nor dcludcd by false theories.
Free silver would not mean that silver
dollars were to be freely had, without
cost or labor. II would mean the free
use of the mints Of the United States
for the few who are owners Of silver
bullion, but would make silver coin no
frccr to the many who are engaged in
other enterprises. 1t would not max e
labor easier, the hours of labor shorter
or the pay better. 1t would not max q
farming less lnborious or n orc profitn-
BILE. 1t would not start a factory or
make demand for an additional days
labor. 1t would create no new occu-
pations, it would add nothing to the
.comfor. of the masses, tho capital of
tho people, or the wealth of the nation.
1t seeks to introduce n new measure of
value, but would add no value to the
thing measured. 1t would not CON
serve values. On tho contrary it
would derange all existing values. 1t
would not restore business confidence.
but its direct effect would be to de-
stroy the little that remains
Tha free coinage plank adopted Mt
Chicago is that any ono may take n
ouantity of silver bullion now worth
tiity.three cents to the mints of the
United States, have it coined at the
expense of the government and receive
for it n silver dollar which shall be
legal tender for the payment of all
debts, public or private. The owner
OF the silver bullion would get the