The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-12-11
NR. RRzAN ou &C. TuTuRE.

The North American Review, contri-
butss an article, entitled, "Has the
Election Settled the Money Question:"
Naturally be declares that it has not.
AIr. Bryan first maintains that in the
vest and south, where the agitation for
free silver had been conducted for a
long time, the vote in favor Of it was
the strongest. The gains in the eastern
and middle states, he also thinks, we're
phenomenal when the shortness of the
campaign and the prejudices which it
was necessary to combat are consider
cd. He believes firmly that there will
be a great change in these states before
1860, because it will be clearly demon
ssrated that on the money question the
intsrests of the money-owning classes
srs not identical with the interests Of
the producing classes.
The recognized leader Of the free sill
yer forces sums up the situation thus:
"The advocates Of free coinage have
asserted that the gold standard is a
conspiracy organized by the great fnan-
eieTs of the world to lessen the volume
of the worlds standard money for the
double purpose, first, of raising the
purchasing power of a given quantity
OF money, and, second, of making it
easier to corner the supply of standard
money. The advocates of free coinage
believed the charge when they made it.
and they believe it still. Inspired by
the conviction that they are laboring
10 behalf Of large majority of the peo-
pie, not only here, but throughout the
world, they will continue the fight, con-
idsnt that four more years of expert
snce will convince many who have thus
far resisted argument.
".Agitationis the only means by which
wrong eau be redressed under our form
of government. The man who denoun-
ees agitation simply opposes the dis
cussiOn of public question, and the
man who attempts TO put stop to the
discussion Of a public question confess
ss his hostility to our form of govern
ment. In a nation where the people
govern, they must be free to consider
any subject which concerns their vel
fare. Those who are disposed to sup
press any further agitation upon the
money question should remember that
the opponents of bimetallism have al
ways been ready to agitate whenever
they desired to secure legislation. Dur
ing his first administration, Mr.. Cleve-
land recommended the suspension of
coinage under the Bland act-those
who supported him we're not afraid of
disturbing business then. During his
second term be succeeded in securing
the repeal of the purchasing clause Of
the Sherman law-the boards of trade.
the chambers of commerce. the fl
and the gold standard
press did not hesitate to disturb
business then. All legislation tenn
poFaTily disturbs business to al
greater or less extent, and yet the
democrats tthe gold democrats includ-
ed commenced agitating for the repeal
Of the Mckinley tariff act as soon as it |
became a law. and the republicans the
gold republicans included commenced
zgitsting for the repeal of the Wilson
tariff act as soon as it became law.
The New York Reform club was organi- |
zed for the purpose of agitation; it first
sgitated against the protective tariff
and then against bimetallism. The
Home Market club was organized to
carry on an agitation against tariff re-
form. I mention these instances to
show that the people who now oppose
agitation against the gold standard
have always been willing to agitate
when they were not satisfied with ex-
sting legislation.
aThose who regard this election as a
settlement of the question |
It issue should recall the recent politi- !
lal history of the United States. The !
,xaet vote cannot be given at the time
his article is written, but it is so close |
hat change of less than 10000 votes,
properly distributed over several states,
sould overcome the republican MAORI
y In the electoral college. The vote
Fas 40 nearly even in Kentucky, South
Dakota and Wyoming that a change of
600 votes either way would change %
,isotoral votes. On the basis of the
electoral vote, therefore, there is moth
ng to guarantee permanence in the
'iotoEy Of the gold standard. But even
+ the republican triumph was more
than the figures at present
Indicate, it would not settle the next
iampaign. In the past, parties have
'fteR recovered quickly from what
seemed overwhelming defeat. In 1872 Mr..
Greeley was defeated, and yet in 1876
dr Tilden was believed by the deme-
'rats to have been elected. Mr.. Blaine
vas defeated in 1884, and yet Mr.. Harri-
on was elected in 1888. The republi-
an victory Of 1858 was quickly follow /
d BY the democratic victory Of 1850
-nd the eiection Of President Cleveland |
80 years later. The election Of Presi-
lent Cleveland by large majority in
S99 vas followed Two years later By an
H0rmous republican victory. The
haagss which have taken place in the
80 l--dfacta 4hn f7szarsf.ffftfoe % ANct