Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-01-08
False Prophets.

False Prophets.
When, in 1898, the ruinous effect of
gold standard began to be felt in
this country, we were told by the Re-
publican press that the trouble was
entirely the result of the operation of
the Sherman law, and cry for its
repeal went up from every gold STAN
dard paper in the land. The pressure
was so great that Cleveland called an
extra session of congress to repeal
the law. Congress met and repealed
it. but prosperity did not return.
Then these papers told us that the
tronble was lack of confidence, and
shouted clear across the continent
that the election of a Republican
house would assure the country that
nothing but sound legislation would
be enacted, and that this would
establish confidence and restore pros
perity. The country took them at
their word and elected what is some
times called in Texas a yellow dog
majority of Republicans to member
ship in that body; but the prophesied
confidence did not come, and bust
ness was not improved; on the con-
trary values continued to fall.
Driven to hunt some new reason
for the hard times, the republican
papers were very sure the trouble
was that there was fear that the
government would refuse to supply
gold in exchange for greenbacks, and
we were told that if a large loan
could be effected by the government,
it would be in itself assurance that
the people had faith that the govern
ment would keep its promises, and
that confidence thus restored, pros
perity would come with it, and our
troubles would be over. The loan
was offered, and the people sub
scribed tor $500, 100000 of bonds. The
republican papers howled with de.
light, and said that the loan was a
great success and that the end of the
hard times had come. But it hadn't.
A new excuse was again needed, so
they told us that if the republican
party declared for ''sound money" in
its national platform-there being no
doubt about the success of the repnb-
lican nominee-that confidence would
be restored and an era of prosperity
would be on us that would eclipse
any former prosperity; that the mere
prospect of republican success would
do the business, and it would not be
necessary to wait for the election to
begin prosperous times. The con-
vention met and adopted a gold
standard platform, and the news fell
fiat; there was a decided increase of
hard times all over the country.
Then they told us that the credit of
the government was threatened by
the Democrats, and that the news OF
McKinley's election would flood the
country with very choice variety OF
prosperity. He was heralded as the
advance agent of prosperity" and
we were told that immense orders for
manufactured goods contingent on
the election of Mckinley" had been
placed, and that in this way prosper
ity really had to be held back; that
the moment the news of his election
was flashed over the country these
immense orders would become effect.
i've and that business would boom.
The advance agent of prosperity
was elected, and a pail fell on the
country as the news was received
Whether these contingent order!
were filled or not willnever be known
for they were the masterstroke O.
Hanna and were simply politica
buncombe. Business was worse thar
ever. Prosperity still fingered.
Now they tell us that we must hav'
patience and wait, and that thi
long -looked-for prosperity will b.
here in the spring, and that in som
mysterious way confidence will be re
stored.
Isn't it about time these falls
prophets were choked off?-Penn,
| Press.