The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1896-08-20
international, and the gold standard
there is an impossible gulf.

international, and the gold standard
there is an impossible gulf.
Farmers know that their condition
is worse under the gold standard.
Wage earners have been injured by a
gold standard. While gold standard
raises the purchasing power of dol
lar it also makes it more difficult to
obtain possession Of the dollar; they
know that employment is less perma-
nent, loss of work more probable and
unemployment less certain. It is only
necessary to note the inc1 easing num-
Der of failures in order to know that a
gold standard is ruiDo us to merchants
and manufacturers. The professional
classes in the main receive their sup
port from the producing class, and can
only enjoy prosperity when there is
prosperity among those who create
wealth. -s.'
ut is not strange that those who
have made a profit by furnishing gold
to the government III the hour of it's
extremity favor a financial policy
which will keep the government de-
pendent upon them. I believe that I
speak the sentiment of the vast ma
9orlty OF the people Of the United
States when say that wise financial
the people world make our govern
ment independent of tinanciers, foreign
or domestic.
"What shall it profit us to have a
dollar which grows more valuable
every day if such dollar lowers the
standard of civiliZa ton and brings dis
tress to the people? What shall it
profit us If, in trying to raise cur credit
by increasing the purchasing power of
our dollar, we destroy our ability to
pay debts already contracted by low
erlng the purchasing pow er of the
products with which these debts must
be paid? If the holders of fixed in
vestments will not listen to arguments
based upon justice and equity, appeal
TO them to consider the interests of
posterity. We are not asking that a
new experiment be tried. We are i'll
slstlng upon return to a financial
policy approved ty the experience of
history and supported by all the prom
lnent statesmen Of our alton from the
days of the first president down to
1873.
I'VE contend that free cnd unlimited
coinage by the United States alone will
raise the bullion value Of silver to it's
coinage value and thus make silver
bullion worth $129 per ounce in gold
throughout the orld. This PROPOSE
ton is in keepir g with natural laws.
not in Geti; nee of them.
international Bimetallism.
"In conclusion permit me to say a
word in regard to international bimet-
allism. We are not opposed to an in
ternational agreement looking to the
restoration of bimetallism throughout
the world. The advocates of free coin
age have on all occasions shown their
Willingness to cooperate with other
nations in the reinstatement Of silver.
but they are not willing to await the
pleasure of other governments when
Immediate relief is needed by the peo-
pie of the United States, and they
further believe that independent action
offers better assure ce Of international
blmetallism than servile dependence
upon foreign aid. For more than
twenty years we have invited the as
sistance of European nations, but all
progress in the direction of internation-
al binetallism has been blocked by
the opposition of those who derive a
pecuniary benefit from the apprecia-
ton of gold. How long must we wait
for bimetallism to be brought to US by
those who profit by MGR ometallism?
If the double standard " Ill bring ben
eflts to our people who will deny them
the right to enjoy those berefits?
IF our opponents would admit the
right, the ability and the duty of our
people to act for themselves on all pub
lie questions without the assistance
and regardless Of the wishes Of other
nations, and then propose the remedial
legislation which they consider suf-
ficient, we could meet them in the field
Of honorable debate; but when they
assert that this lation IS helpless to
protect the rights Of it's own citizens
we challenge them to submit the result
to people whose patriotism has never
been appealed to in vain. We shall not
offend other nations when we declare
the right Of the A lerican people to
govern themselves, and without let or
hindrance from without, decide upon
every question presented for their con-
sideration. In taking this position we
simply maintain the dignity of seventy
million citizens who are second to none
in their capacity for self-government."
The delivery of Mr.. Bryan's speech
consumed nearly two hours, and it's
finish was greeted with hearty ap-
plause. The chairman introduced Vice
Presidential Noninee Arthur Sewall
and Gov. Stone presented him with the
formal notification document. Mr..
Sewall, amid much disorder, delivered
brief speech advocating free coinage.
Upon the conclusion Of Mr.. Sewall's
address the meeting was declared ad-
jCurned.