The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-06
ONLY ONE ISSUE.
II Must BE Sound Money or DECEASED Cur
rency-Which VIII You Take?

only the nominee but the platform OF the
recent un-Democatic Convention that as
sembled at Chicago. The position of The
Times as cditOriaIy announced is correct.
and We trust YOU Will stand by your dec
larations until the sun goes down on the
day OF election IN November next. Under
the circumstances. the question naturally
arises. Does the individual. who has here
tOfore always voted the Democratic
ticket, any longer owe allegiance TO
party that has abandoned every funda-
mental principle that has been the key
stone. the watchword OF the party? Has
not The party gone back on the past ira
ditiOns the basic issues. the ancient land
marks OF the party Has II not crossed
over or obliteratcd the lines? Is u any
worse for the individual 70 decline TO sup
port the nominees and the platform OF a
convention than IL is for a convention,
calling itself Democratic, to denounce
the administration elected and reelected
by ts own people? by the people against
the wishes. the Vaccinations Of the dem
agogues and pot-house politicians? Az
ter all. is il not wiser for the business
interests OF the country that the citizen
should vote. regardless OF party. for men
and measures. for principles and condi-
tons that his own good sense and sound
Judgment assures MN VIII HfNA ''hNh'f
20 the good Of the country? II the bust
ness men. the laboring men I'm our cities
the toilers I'm our mines. the railroad men
IN our country. will unite regardless OF
party affiliations and vote for sound
money and stable currency under a good
government populistic and commuuistic
ideas will be- defeated. As a lifelong
Democrat. as my craft sails down the
turbid stream of politics. I am confronted
on the one side 10y the Scylla of prOtec-
ton and on the other side 10y the Charyb-
dis Of free coinage at l6 10 !. but If
have TO choose upon which rock shall be
stranded. 7 will choose the lesser evil or
the two. the one IL is easiest To get my
craft off and safely ashore or the two
evils / have concluded that protection
(Which IS bad enough. # is true) is the
lesser of the two. The country can stand
protection for four years without very
serious detriment. for / doubt If any
changes of serious character will Dee
made i'm the tariff under the Republican
administration If IL succeeds I'm Novom-
ber but If we have free coinage. the re-
suits will be disastrous and far-reaching.
and IL may take decades 10 recover from
its effects.
There are times and occasions when love
OF country the common veal should rise
above and Doe superior TO party fealty or
party supremacy. What does II really
amount 90 with the masses of the people
whether a Republican or Democrat Is
i'm power. provided the principles of each
are on the same general plane and each
will insure ms good and stable govern
ment. aud see that the laws are equitahly
administered. but when IL comes to So
cialistc platform that threatens the very
49,. a.. afrta a.
dangers the liberties OF the citizen. then
the people should rise In their majesty
and say. Let the party perish, let the
country live,
An Impression has steadily gained
ground with the more thoughtful OF our
people. after the disgraceful chickering's.
lack Of harmony, and the puerile acts
and suicidal policy OF the last Democratic
Congress. that the Democratic party Is
not capable OF governing. wisely and well.
this country. II they have statesmen
possessing the elements, the sagaclty. the
ability they were not in the last Demo
cratic Congress or II there, they failed
10 rise 10 the exigencies of the occasion.
and they We're very properly turned ont
peil-mcn 10y the people at the next cleo
ton This impression has Iith many,
crystallized into a conviction since the
doings of the Chicago Convention. with
the anarchistic. socialistic, ana diabolical
platform. There are very many lifelong
Democrats who are asking themselves
the question if Democratic success should
be- purchased at the sacrifice OF their
convictions Of honor OF sound, economic
principles. and Of business interests. Does
party supremacy. party fealty. partisan
success require thisy We think not
The question OF free coinage at Is to is
not a matter Of politics at all. il is a mat
ter OF sound business policy. IL is a mat
ter Of public good a matter Of veal or
woe, OF prosperity or adversely. OF sound
economies. Of stable currency. upon which
the stability. the growth. the future OF
our country depends and should not bee
dragged down into tine slime Of political
canvass. but should bee voted down by our
business and labOring classes. irrespective
and regardless Of party ties and preJu-
dicesl The interests involved are far
above party success. and on questions OF
economic science the citizen should rise
above partisan considerations. These are
the thoughts. these the questions that are
aeitating the minds and engaging the
thoughts of the business men. thar con-
servative element-those who are always
called upon 10 pay up money TO carry
the party through a successful campaign,
but who are never called upon when the
distribution Of the spoils takes place 10
share I'm any Of the fruits Of the victory.
II the business men are 20 derive any
benefits from free coinage. its advocates
have signaly failed 10 point them out.
IL is very clear that IL will disntegrate
orr finances. destroy confidence unsettle
values. give Us a debased currency. cause
a panic, the results OF which no one
knows.
II the predictions OF the most enlighten-
ed statesmen eve do not mean the dema-
gogues. the politicians. the office-seeker)
or both parties are 20 be relied on. II the
CONSENSUS of opinion OF the best part of
the press is 20 be believed. II the outcome
is 10 be what the experience OF other
nations has proven. then We had best let
this popular craze die out aud let the
good Of the country rise paramount 10
party. and let every good citizen. who
has the interest OF his country at heart,
her prosperity. her civilization. her ma
terial interests. sacrifice his party upon
the shrine OF his country and vote for
sound money and a stable currency.
The great bulwark. the safety valve. the
hope. tho salvation OF this country rests
with that conservative element that are
not Office-seekers. who can rise above
party. ana who are ready 10 rebuke hydra
headed isms when they rise up and
threaten the public good. and vote for
no lo. fttf. g