The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-17


chairman Of the national committee OF the
silver party. has issued the following Gd-
dress.
To the People. AS chairman OF the na-
uonal committee appointed by the silver
conference lately assembled m Washing
ton city 70 organize the silver forces IN
ths United States in the battle which IS TO
take place for the possession OF the SOW
ernmenE this year. II Is thought proper that
! should make some statement to the peo-
pie in reference to il. AS the necessity Of
money q medium OF exchange became
revealed To the minds OF men. the two
metals finally accepted as the most suitable
for money We're silver and gold. This Was
natural because they we're the most
precious metals adapted 10 the purpose.
and We're sufficiently limited ia quantity.
as mining developed the fact that these
two metals existed in the earth in almost
certain proportions, a natural ratio OF
value was assumed. This ratio has con-
tinued as arranged by man undsr the
natural order he found it. Il vas ac-
cepted by mankind as a part OF the grand
plan upor which the world was 10 move and
approved by the philosophy and common
sense OF all ages.
From this condition OF regular order and
contentment, contributing to the gradual
elevation OF all classes of society. the ex-
tension OF civilization and the general bet
terinent OF the human race, this country
and the world has been rufhlesSy torn
This has been done by the rejection OF ene
OF the precious metals in the interests Of
greed, and by this act the money changers
have been enthroned and the narrowing OF
the scope OF monetization begun.
As monetizarIon has been narrowed,
money nas become scarcer in pro portion
and as money became scarcer prices fell
IN proportion. and falling prices have teen
ihe bane OF the world. Ii was predicted
after the decentralization of silver that
great suffering would follow. This suffer-
ing Is already here. From contraction
or the currency we are now in the throes
OF one OF these desperate stages Of human
experiences period of heartache canker
and sleeplessness, as the foundation OF
prices has crumbled. Obligations resting
upon the supposed firm foundations OF
price ia ready money have crumhled into
dirt as the foundation of the price has
crumhled.
The country is confronted by a grave
emergency. Further theorizing Is futile.
The agitation OF the money question must
be settled by peaceful methods that will
give practical results. Long patience and
dispassionate reflection have convinced me
that an independent American financial
system is absolutely necessary to the res
toration OF national prosperity, and the es-
adjustment OF commercial conditions in
this country that wlll give the common
people--the agricultural and laboring
classes-an equal show with capital and
concentrated wealth. How can Il be er-
fected? Can 1t be done through either the
Republican or Democratic party as now
constitutedg No. Both organizations are
under the blighting influence OF the East
ern money power. The record OF every
national convention OF both parties for
years is plain proof OF the assertion. The
legislation OF both parties in congress Is
proof that it is impossible as party ques-
ton.
What then. is to he done? AS patriots.
Is Americans who are for America against
the world what s our first and controlling
duty In this crisis? Shall We longer heed
the false promises of party platform dec
lararous2 Shall we longer submit 10 fh,
academic discussion of what bi-metalilsm
means2 Shall Il he another campafgn OF
strangling and equivocatlon7 Or shall the
issue be squarely on the free coinage OF
silver and gold and a president elected who
represents the people on that question?
The first STEP the essential preliminary
TO the correction OF present abuses the re-
establishment Of national prosperity and
the maintenance OF our national credit, Is
the election Of president whose Andrew
Jackson courage and infexihie integrity
Will defy the Influences that prostitute
bfFSsAt4fAs anu tADlneIS. ana makes the
administration OF The government a sub
ject Of humiliation and reproach Strong
IN character and intention as may be the
STANDARD bearer Of the Republican or Dem
oeratc party in the coming campaign, Il
win hardly be possible FOR him 10 rise
above the influences that secured his nouli-
nation, or the environments that mast sur
round him IN the event of his election
The one hope OF the people I am con
- ia sr7r -
pledged. unconsiitoually anu unreservelly.
60 the free and unlimited coinage of silver
and geld. the same as from the foundation
cf our government Until 1SI3. And also
uncun.litionaily pledged tn favor OF a ua-
tionai currency. without the Intervention
of banks of issue and against the issuance
of lotefest-beaTIng bonds iu tine Of peace
for any purpose whatever
1 appeal not only 20 Republicans in nv
own state who can appreciate the sacri-
fee Z make in renoUncinE party obltra-
tons ON this question in advance OF marty
scfion lu the premises. bat 80 the pf-orle
throuEhout toe country, without rera-f
g. party to cooperate IN this great nom
partisan. patriotsr American movements .,
sustain 1he industrial and anaroial irfo-
pens'euce of the United States in tR,,
pending irrepresstb'c conasrt
This sentiment Influences me 70 accent
the Craftsmanship ~ the national siI,,c-
party. / slan give 20 this rna-ssr-,t r,s ~.
REST services ana Thought. ana othe-vsfs.
! shah rcaNEe the satisfaction Of havi~r-
done nv duty 20 the people and The -or,-,.
try as Z see ard understand IT. II r.,.
owa state 3 confidently appeal 20 the rarl-
AND ale 81 beth parties % support NV -.
forts North Carolina Is an aarirr,i4,,-,,
state. an8 ngne-tenfhs ~ It's peotfa -
directly and 88sastvouslv affected e-- -,
operation 81 the single gold staufa~s
appeal 80 fheTn ~ lay aside party gaaifgs,
ignore party obligations or This so-5si
question. disregard party appezIs. fo~re.
the aspirations ~ past party caafertI,,,
nna spszrn the o1er % place ana err,l,,-
rGent-
We have the example and experience ~,
,he last campaign IN New york 20 sho,v
the prmctsrabil.fy ara safety ~ men -
sfHerent parxles cooperating 90 carr, ..-..
a rrear measure essential to IRE W.efes-,
~ sAv. peonle. where neither oF tha -,s-.t-
s.varsnx ff c0n'G erect s. a}ore II -
/. ry,-sssseraf6an on one isst4e th. ss-s-.. -
set- elections. K S. now Arranged T., -,
send <ssra 3 plan through All TIE s,,---
cr another vital issve % greater s-,-,,-.
o,-,a 70 this country. NJ ore s.s~-v 80.
-, ,ssS bat a rzaatoTsty - she p=ori, f., ~,
.ea sa~sigs wart IA doue and tsev ea, a.,
ss ~ they wiii co-cperafe
-r-Na r-rs3 thar Fu~u@ces the people IN -.
,.ssse,r, sss a tsTaSt9ent Whesa RsFrsf-,f..--
-. - ssss government rasAns A r.-rs,,-
sssr-, ~ she ssresenz Grz2re5aI svs-a-9 -,