Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-09-11
ex-MiNISTER PHELPS.
states His Reasons for Opposing the
Chicago Platform.


Hon. Edward j. Phelps, eX-minister TO
England, has written the following let
ter, in which ne urges all true demo
Gratis to join in defeating the candidates
who stand or the un-democratic plat
form adopted at Chicago:
j regard the pending presidential
election as presenting the most danger
Gus crisis that this country has ever en-
countered 1t does not, in my judgment,
involve any political controversy nor
any question of the supremacy of party,
for such considerations are lost sight of
In the far greater gravity of the situa-
ton. The real issue is one upon which
all patriotic men and all who are in
terested in the prosperity and welfare
Of the country should find themselves
upon one side ana opposed 70 common
enemy. The attack that we have TO
resist is not upon the policy but upon
the life of the nation, for they would
take its life who destroy the means by
which Il lives-the business Of many
thousands and the industry of millions.
On these we are ALL, whether rich or
poor, high or .ow alike dependent.
very few in proportion 10 the 7o,OOo.00O
of American people, the vast majority
Of whom gain their living by some form
or other of useful employment. That
there should he prosperity in some of
these employments and not in others. or
among one class of people and not
among others. is impossible, for they all
rest upon a common foundation and are
affected by the same considerations.
Business" is a generic term and COM
prehends all lawful industries. When
il is stimulated, all profit; when it is de-
pressed, all suffer. No part of the body
can escape the effect Of general paraly
sis or fail 70 get the benefit of general
good health. When business hourishes.
the laborer is in demand; when it de-
clnes, he stands idle in the market
place.
Business of whatever sort in coun-
try like ours, rich in resources, full OF
energy and vitality, with all harvests
everywhere ready for the sickle, rests
chiefly upon two factors public conf
dence and sound and stable currency.
When either is-and much more when
both are-impaired or even gravely
threatened. business suffers, general de-
preston comes, labor declines, and the
wolf approaches many door. Without
confidence there can be RIO credit, no
enterprise. Capital is boarded, sent
abroad or lies idle. and all industries
diminish or cease, and the surest way
the world has ever seen to destroy con-
tidence is to debase the currency and 20
make il uncertain from day to day how
much a dollar Is worth and how much
Il Is going 20 count for in the near flu
ture-to take away, as is now proposed,
cne-half its value to begin with and 10
set the other half 10 fuctuating TO an
indefinite extent, with the rising and
the setting of the sun and the approach
Of every storm.
There is, therefore, in my judgment,
no man more criminal or who is a worse
public enemy than he who engages in
CT countenances that infamous and de-
structive attempt because the less a
man has. or the less he earns. the more
necessary II is 10 him that the value of
that little should be maintained and
made sure. and that the few dollars in
his pocket should be as good dollars as
there are, rs we'll might the Steerage
passengers in vessel in midocean.
weary of their prvations be melted by
some mischief maker to scuttle the ship
in order TO drown the inmates Of the
more luxurious cabins unconscious that
they themselves must be equally the vic
Tins of the common calamity.
The party is already hopelessly dis
lupted on the issue presented. We can
not follow both it's divisions at the same
time. ever desirable IL might be,
since they are moving in opposite direc-
tions On the one side are the oldtime
honored principles Of the party, under
which all its great traditions have been
generated, and which all it's illustrious
leaders have advocated. Chief and fore
most among these principles always in
times past has been the maintenance Of
sound and honest money, of dollars that
are dollars, of a national stamp upon
them that does not lie.
On the same side are it's most trusted |
present statesmen and leaders, and n
very large proportion at the last of its
better and most instructed element. |
Which way shall we go, then since we
cannot go both ways? With its states
men or with its camp followers? With |
It's principles or with its organization
Rtampeded and graded by its enemies? |
In which direction lies the future OF the |
party il it is TO have any future? And |
who are they who will control il here
after. "when this tyranny shall be over
mast ." Of no man be afraid 10 be right |
on this question for il is the right that |
will triumph in the end, whether it re-
forms the party or destroys it.