Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-08-07

| Siiiha oiiu vi tHae ouuS SIaiI vi thN
! Orient, Japan, resulting from their
great war, conspire to make this inevi-
table.
IL. 1t should never be forgotten
that this entire Indebtedness, except
only a part of that Of corporations and
private parties, was incurred when
gold and silver were the recognized
money OF the world. Payment in
gold coin to creditors of this or any
other country, with this exception, " is
not nominated in the bond" When
the President of the United States de-
sired authority to issue bonds payable
in gold coin, Congress refused and
preferred the continued issuing OF
bonds payable ain coin" (not gold
cOin) though notified in advance that
higher rate of interest would be in
CURED. This served notice on the
whole world that the American people
were determined TO reserve their con-
stitutional rights to pay government
obligations in coin-lawful money OF
the United States.
We believe, above all financial con-
siderations, in honesty-the honest
payment OF all just debts, and if our
educational campaign shall be sue
cessiul, and its lessons shall be faith
fully applied, we will be able to pay in
"sound money" "honest dollars"
every farthing of principal and inter
est of our great debts, but if we shall
be forced to a single gold standard the
American people are liable to be
forced by the Shylocks of the world
into hopeless bankruptcy.
The morning papers tell us that the
German Government will not lead the
way to an international Money Con.
gress. Perhaps not. That govern
ment represents the creditor class. 1t
is said that England is opposed to
such Congress and to bi-metallism.
That may be so. England. too, is of
the creditor class. We do not, how
ever, yet despair. We firmly believe
that the commercial interests of the
world will be best served by bi-me-
tallic standard. 1t is dangerous else.
where, as it is here, to be exposed to a
possible "corner" in money or ex-
change. We shall hope for the con-
currence of the commercial nations
until a contrary decision shall be
reached by the nations Of Europe. If
that shall come, the question of what
the American people shall do will be-
come more serious one than any we
have encountered since our national
unity was assailed. If international
bi-metallism shall not come in any
other way, we believe it will come, of
necessity, by the American people
leading the way. If the existing rates
OF exchange must be disturbed and a
premium larger or smaller for Euro
pean exchange or gold be added, we
think it will be found that lawful
money of the United States will be
quite good enough for American mer-
chants and manufacturers, and that
our European cousins will wake up
some fine morning 10 the fact that
they have compelled financial policy
that will practically close to them the
American markets as effectually as a
prohibitory tariff could possibly do.
However that may be, in this, as in all
matters,
Let independence be our boast,
Ever mindful what it cost,
Ever grateful for the prize
May its affairs reach the skies.
Firm. united. let us be.
Rallying round our liberty;
As q band OF brothers Joined
Peace and safety we shall find"