New-York tribune., 1897-08-20
CERRENCY RECONSTRUCTION.

The earnest appeals of those who sincerely be
lieve the Republican party ought TO undertake
the task Of recOnstructing the currency without
delay are heard as they should be- with respect
But silence would be contpmptuOuS and not re-
spectfu when it Is well known that there iS
grave dissent. 1t is an obligation of courtesy, II
not Of public duty. to point out again reasons for
dissenting. though ii has been done many times
1t is Just ground for criticising the advocates or
currency reconstruction that on their part they
have not treated with respect objections which
seem TO many Republicans insuperable, but
without attempting TO answer them have gone
Oh as if. one who did not agree with them could
not be sincerely Cor sound money. If that mode
Of treatment is not lacking in courtesy. 1t Is mt
least confession that those who resort to 1t are
not prepared to meet the objections presented.
The great objection is that the course pro-
posed revives distrust of the currency and agita-
ton for dangerous schemes at time when the
country needs above all else confidence and
peace on that question. when no practical good
can possibly be accomplished and when agta-
uion can only serve the ends OF the enemies or
sound money by dividing its friends IL Is not
Iossble to hammer away, in print and speech
day after day. on the plea that the currency Is
OF such dangerous sort that radical change Is
imperatively necessary. without impairing me
confidence Of some. Neither Is 1t possible TO I'M
pair the confidence OF any without lcssening the
recuperative force which is now needed to hit
the country from the consequences OF Demo
cratic warfare against home industries. Nor Is
il possible to agitate for change In the direction
of safer money without stirring up all the silver
and fiat money cranks to answer that The danger
Is indeed real and great. but that theirs is the
20. al. f,er
progress grandly toward better things. and is not
hampered in the least degree by disrust Of its
circulating money but the Bryanites all deny il
with passion. and TIE sound money men who
help them ore not thereby helping 20 restore
prosperity.
There might be reason for that course. in spite
af all its evils II there were any practical good
which could be gained But every practical man
in the country knows. as Speaker Reed has re-
Gently stated that nothing good on this subject
can possibly be done IN the Senate as II Is now
constituted On every phase Of the money ques-
ton that body is quite incapable of helpful ac-
ton. II has n clear majority Of members who
favor frce-slver coinage. including the Demo
Gratis who take that course without sincerity for
purely partisan ends and while some Of the
silver Republicans probably would not vote for
such n step to-day. IN advance Of any interna
iionai action. and knowing that such vote
would ba futile. II Is at least certain that they
would not vote for any course making free coin
aye permanently impossible. There is probably
clear majority also, In favor Of almost unm
ted paper imitation and while differing in like
inaDner ahoUt the method. prepared to vote
against any and every measure TO put the paper
currency on thoroughly sound basis. These
statements need TO other proof than The past
action Of Senators. and are known 30 be true
ny all who have fair understanding OF public
afYars.
II 1t is entirely impossible to get anything