New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-07
THE PLATFORM.

Three principles are embraced in the RepuD-
lican platform on money. When clearly and
honestly stated, they but one principle cover
ing all that can be asked. and what the people
want But because different people see with
greatest clearness different sides Of the same
principle, their varying expressions are fraudu-
lently represented as essential differences, or as
attempts to deceive The root idea Is that the
absolute parity with gold Of all kinds OF money
in circulation shall be maintained beyond even
a risk of failure. for the fear Of failure causes,
in part. the same results as an actual degradation
of the currency. The people want. as they have,
the best money used by any civilized nation. and
that alone is or can be honest money or sound
money, because that alone secures honest cN-
changes Of products with those Of other nations,
and the certainty that supplies will come hither
from all countries whenever inSufiiciency of sup
ply here unduly dcpresses prices. Stated in that
form. the principle covers all that the most CON
servativc demand.
1t plainly includes maintenance Of the gold
Standard for if all the forms of money in use
have the same purchasing power. all must have
the purchasing power If gold, which Is one OF
those forms
II plainly includes refusal 10 coin silver with
ont international agreement fixing It's value; be-
cause that would Of necessity risk. and would in
fact. with great certainty break. The parity Of
money in circulation. driving out gold and max
ing silver the only metallic standard
II plainly includes the only possible bimeia-
ism, in the sense that both metals are employed
as far as they can be. parity being preserved, the
silver and silver notes having representative
quality; and it as plainly includes maintenance
of restricted grecnback circulation. because
without it undue and dangerous expansion Of
bank circulation would imperi the whole cur
rcncy.
Negatively stated these three principles. which
are at bottom three sides Of the same prism. may
be put thus: No impairment or risk Of the pur
chasing power of any part Of the circulation; No
expulsion of gold by free coinage: No contrac
tion by retirement OF legal tenders or silver notes
Men look at the same prism from different
sides. One sees and stoutly declares that main
tenance Of gold standard is enough, because
that really includes refusal 10 coin silver without
international agreement fixing its value and
equally includes refusal to abolish or contract
paper circulation, because without that represent
alive paper redeemed by Government the gold
standard could not be maintained. Another sees
and stouty declares that unequlvocal opposition
TO free coinage Is enough. the present currency
being maintained. Another insists upon the
bmetallic side. to prevent failure of the system
by undue contraction Of the representative cur
rcncy through retirement Of silver notes or green
backs. or destruction OF the gold standard by
dangerous expansion Of bank circulation. All are
right II they grasp the full meaning Of their
declaration.
The duty OF the Republican National Conven-
ton is to embody these three principles which
are one in declaration which shall leave the
least possibility Of mistake or Misrepresentation
The silver boilers have been pretending. without
any truth, that their attitude Is In accord with
the Republican platform Of 1892. That fact
alone will prompt the convention to a dcclara-
ton which shall leave them no excuse for that
pretence. The more natfooted and square-tocd
the platform can be made the better, If 1t covers
the full Republican doctrine, and does not try
to leave out either phase OF it. Then those who
do not accept 1t can stand up and be counted as
| silver men, If they like.