The Florence tribune., 1896-02-15

tive of every material Interest of tie people. If we would have prosperity permanently restored we shonld make haste to return to the traditions of the fathers.
 You and believe in the protective policy of the Republican party. How then can we be consistent and not cor deinn the discriminations against silver, one of the most valuable productions of the country? The silver mining in- dustry is to-day inferior to the gold mining industry in the United States only because silver has been robbed of its coinage value, while gold has been enhanced by being required to do double service as money metal. If the order of discrimination was re- versed, and the coinage value of gold should be curtailed or destroyed, as the coinage value of silver has been. is 1t supposable that gold would rezain anything like it's present value?
 But it is argued that we cannot nave two ,lhe ratio of v;,lues cannot be adjusted between two metals so as give stability and uniforait -Is it not singular that it has taken this country eighty years to find ouv SO simple u matter? It is still more singular that we did not find 1t ont until it was to the interest of Great Britain and other European natit ms to have us find it out. Suppose it IS not an entirely easy matter to adius. the l coinage ratio of value between gold and silver, would that justify the United States, as gold and silver pro- ducing country, in destroying the coinage value of either meta, s)r in | crippling one more then the othel 1?
 N hat would be said of farmer, who. having team of oxen unevenly yoked should cripple or kill one to secure uniformity, or, if you please, standard OK power? His idiocy would probably be told in dimunition of his crops and his fiual bankruptcy.
 It IS an unjustifable reflection upon. American statemanship to say that the gold and silver delved from our mines cannot be evenly yoked together in such manner as to uphold the fuE coin age value of both metals. Tie pro- tectiYe policy of the Republican party fully applied to the mining industry must necessarily lead to the unlimited coinage of silver. I look forward with confidence to the next Republican national convention for au ousspolSen declaration in the party platform upon this subject; and if, happily. William Mckinley, of Ohio, shall be the stand [ ard bearer, tue country vii have undoubted assurance that the pledge will be honestly and faithfully carried out so far at least as the ciiief execu- tive is concerned.
 | The position maintained by the re- tainers of the money power, that q uniform standard of value can only be secured by exclusive gold coinage is abused. 1t is fact known by ali m.
 prejudiced observers, as wei as to those whose interest it to try. to con.
 ceal it, that, just in the ratio that the
 coinage value of silver has Zen des
 troyed, the coinage value of gold ha.
 been enhanced because of Che. addi : tional duty it is called upon to perform
 We have not therefore a uniform cur
 rency in the single gold standard, bn
 currency in the single gold standard } constantly appreciating in value an, becoming more and more oppressive t,
 the debt paying class of our people an. l inadequate to the wants of trade 7 Now, is it not the part of wisdom t
 bring the two money metals into close relationship by lessening the value O gold and restoring silver to its natura i position of equality? Nor should W
 wait for the cooperation of all or an of the European governments in thi I matter any more than we do in regar :. to our iron or steel or tin or wool an other important industries that deman l protection in order that all the re l sources of our country may be proper ly developed.
 When the United States takes tn | initiative in restoring the full coinag
 value of silver, it will then be in orde 7 for our statesmen to bring the ful 3 power of this government to bear upo
 the nations with which we have il
 tercourse to induce them to accept ou silver just as we try to make it t ! their interest to accept our other SUI 6 plus productions.
 Now, my dear colonel, the discussio : is on; the interests of seventy million
 of people are at stake, our silver line
 mountain ranges towering heaver
 ward look down upon us ready t
 yield up their treasures and bless tll : nationa at the ommand of hon st toiler and the agitation will not cease unt e the divorce proceedings between gol e and silver are set aside, and the wi
 dom of the fathers that made thel one currency is fully recognized !. Respectfully yours, R. c. POWERS.