The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-08-19
gold coin, and we believe that a.silver dol.

lar will be worth as much as gold dollar.
The charge Of reputation comes with poor
grace from those who are seeking to add to
the weight of existing debts by legislation
which makes money dearer and who conceal
their designs against the general welfare un-
der the euphonious pretense that they are
upholding public credit and national honor.
In answer TO the charge that gold will 90
abroad it must he remembered that no gold
can leave this country until the owner of the
gold receives something in return for it which
he would rather have. In other words
when gold leaves the country those who
formerly owned it will be benefited. There
is no process by which we can be compelled
to part with our gold against our will nor is
there any process by which silver can ever
be forced upon us without our consent.
In reply to the argument that improved
machinery has lessened the cost of producing
silver it is sufficient to state that the same
is true of the production of gold and notwilh-
standing that gold has risen fn value.
fit is asserted by our opponents that the
free coinage of silver is intended only for the
mine owners, it must be remembered that
free coinage cannot restore to the mine own.
ers any more thad demonetization took away,
and it must also be remembered that the loss
which the demonetization of silver has
brought to the mine owners is Insignificant
compared to the loss which the policy has
brou ght to the rest of the world.
We are told that the restoration of bimet-
allism would be hardship upon those who
have entered into contracts payable in gold
coin but this is o. mistake. 1t will be easier
to obtain the gold with which to meet gold
contract, when most Of the people can use
silver, than it is now when we are trying TO
secure gold.
There is another argument TO which l ask
your attention. Some of the opponents of
free coinage point to the fact that thirteen
months must elapse between the election and
th -st regular session of Congress and as
sert that during that time in case the people
declare themselves in favor of free coinage
all loans will be Withdrawn and all mort
cages foreclosed. If these are merely proph-
ecies indulged by those who have forgotten
the provisions of the Constitutions it would
be sufficient to remind them that the Presi-
dent is empowered to convene Congress in
extra session whenever the public requires
such action. If in November the people by
their ballots declare themselves in favor OF
the immediate restoration of bimetallism the
system can be inauguratei within few
months. If, however, the assertion that
loans will be Withdrawn and mortgages fore
closed is to prevent such political action as
the people may believe to he necessary for
the preservation of their rights when new
and vital issue is raised. Whenever it is
necessary for the people as whole to obtain
consent from the owners of money, changers
of money before they can legislate upoh f.
nancial questions we shall have passed from
Democracy to plutocracy. But that time
has not yet arrived. Threats and intimida-
ton will be of no avail.
In conclusion permit me 10 say word in
regard to international money. We are not
opposed to an international agreement look
ing to the restoration of bimetallism through
out the world. The advocates of free coinage
have on all occasions shown their willing
ness 10 cooperate with other nations for the
reinstatement of silver, but they are not
willing to await the pleasure Of other govern
ments when immediate relief is needed by
the people OF the United States, and they
further believe that independent action Of
fers better assurance of International bimet-
alism than servile dependence upon foreign
aid. For more than twenty years we have
invited the assistance of European nations,
but all progress in the direction of interna-
tional bimelallism has been blocked blythe
opposition of those who derived pecuniary
benefit from the appreciation of gold.
l have travelled from the centre OF the con-
finent 10 the seaboard that l might, in the
very beginning of the campaign, bring you
greetings from the people of the West and
South and assure you that their desire is not
10 destroy but to hold up. They invite you
to accept the principles Of living faith
rather than listen to those who preach the
gospel of despair and advise endurance OF
The ills you have. The advocates of free
coinage believe that, in striving to secure the
immediate restoration of bimetallism, they
are laboring in your behalf as we'll as in
their own behalf few of your people may
prosper under present conditions, but the
permanent welfare OF New York rests upon
the producers of wealth. This great city is
built upon the commerce of the nation and
must suffer if that commerc, is impaired.
You cannot sell unless the people have money
with which to buy, and they cannot obtain
the money with which TO buy unless they
are able to sell their products at remunera-
tive prices Production of wealth goes be-
fore the exchange of wealth; those who Gre
ate must secure profit before they have
anything to share with others. You cannot
afford to join the money changers in support
ing financial policy which, by destroying
the purchasing power of the products OF toll,
must in the end encourage the creation oi
wealth. ask, | expect, your cooperation.
1t is true that few Of your fnanciers would
fashion new tigure--a figure representing
Columbia, her hands bound fast with fetters
of gold and her face turned toward the East
appealing for assistance to those who live
beyond the sea- but this figure can never ex.
press your idea of this nation. You will
rather turn your face for inspiration to the
heroic statue which guards the entrance to
your city-a statue as patriotic IN concep'
ton as it is colossal in proportion; it was the
gracious gift of sister republic and stands
rpon pedestal which was built by the
American people. That figure is emblematlc
of the mission of our nation among the ma
tions of the earth. With government
which derives its powers from the consent
of the governed, secures to all the people
freedom of conscience, freedom of thought
and freedom of speech, guarantees equal
rights to all and promises special privileges
to none, the United States shall be an e1-
ample in all that is good and the leading
psirit in every movement which has for its
object the uplifting of the human race.
Mr.. Bryan spoke for one hour and
fifty minutes and the hands OF the
clock pointed to thirty-fve minutes
after 10 when he finished the eloquent
peroration addressed to the citizens OF