The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-02-18
Chairman J. J. Mott Issues an
Address.
FRIENDS OF FREE COINAGE
He Urges Independent Action
in Politics.
DURING THE COMING CAMPAIGN
An Especial Appeal TO North CarolIn'anS
Not to Submit to Further Strad-
dies in the Old Party
Platforms.

Washington, d. c., Feb. 17-Mr. J.
]. Mott, chairman of the National
Committee of the Silver party, has is
sued the following address:
ITO the People;
"As chairman of the National com
mittee ppointed by the silver confer
enee lately assembled in Washington
City to organize the silver forces in
these United States in the battle which
is to take place for the possession CT
the government this year, 1T is
thought proper that / should make
some statement to the people in
reference to it.
LAS the necessity of money as a
medium of exchange became revealed
to the minds of men the two metals
finally accepted as most suitable for
money were silver and gold, This was
natural, because they were the two
most precious metals adapted to the
purpose, and were sufficiently limited
in quantity.
''As mining has developed the fact
that these two metals existed in the
earth in almost certain proportions, a
natural ratio of value was adduced.
This ratio has continued as arranged
by man under the natural order as he
found it. 1t was accepted by mankind
as a part of the ground plan upon
which the world was to move, and APP
proved by philosophy and common
sense of all ages.
From this condition of regular or
der and contentment, contributing to
the gradual elevation of all classes of
society, the extension of civilization,
and the general betterment of the hu-
man race, this country and the world
has been ruthlessly torn.
1T has been done by the rejection of
one of the precious metals, in the in-
terests of greed, and by this act the
money changers have been enthroned,
and the narrowing of the scope OF
monometallism begun. As monetiza-
ton has been narrowed, money has be-
come scarcer in proportion, and as
money became scarcer prices fell in
proportion, and falling prices have
been the bane of this world. 1t was
predicted after the characterization of
silver that great suffering would fol-
low. This suffering is already here.
From a contraction of the currency we
are now in the throes of one of these
desperate stages of human experience
"a period of heartache, canker, and
sIeepless nights as the foundation of
prices has crumbled. OblieE ions
resting upon the supposed firm founda-
ton of price in ready money have
crumbled into dirt as the foundation
of the price has crumbled. The coun-
try is confronted by a grave emer-
gency Further theorizing is futile.
The agitation Of the money question
must be settled by peaceful methods
that viii give practical results.
OLD PARTIES NOT TO BE TRUSTED.
Long, patient, and dispassionate re-
fiection has convinced me that an M
dependent American financial system
is absolutely necessary to the restora-
ton of national prosperity, and the
establishment Of commercial condi-
tons in this country that will give the
common people-tiie agricultural and
laboring classes-an equal show with
capital and concentrated wealth. How
can : De erected e c1i It be done
through either the Republican or Dem
ocratic party as now constituted 1,s'.
Both organizations are under the
blighting influence of the Eastern
money power. The record Of every
national convention Of both paftiies
for years is plain proof OF the assertion.
The legislation Of both parties IN Con-
oress is proof that it is impossible as
a party question.
What then Is to be done? As pa
triots, as Americans who are for
America against the world, what is
our first and controlling duty in this
crisis? Shall we longer heed the false
PROMISES of party platform declara-
lions? Shall we longer submit TO the
academic discussion OF what bi-metal-
ism means? Shall it be another cam
Daipn of straddling and equiyocation?
Or shall the issue be squarely on the
free coinage of silver and gold, and a
President elected who represents the
people on that great question?
'"The first step-the essential step
preliminary to the correction Of the
present abuses-the re-establishment
Of national prosperity and the main
tenance of our national credit, is the
election of q President whose Andrew
jackson courage and infieXible integ
rity will, defy the influence bhaJ pros
titutes Presidents and Cabinets, ant
makes the administration of the govern
ment a subject Of humiliation and re
proach.
A PRESIDENT PLEDGED TO SILYEl
strong In character and intention
as NAV be the standard bearer Of tn
Republican or Democratic party i
the coming campaign, it will hardl!
be possible for them to rise above tn
influences that secured his nomination
or the environments that must sur
round him in the event of his election
Tie hope Of the people, I am convinced
is the election Of a President pledged
Internationally and unreservedly, i
the free and unlimited coinage 0
silver and gold, the same as from IN
foundation Of the government INIT
1873. and also Internationally pledge
;n favor of a national clIEGGllcX. - u