Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-01-08


on the silver issue until the
Republicans have had an OPP
portunity to carry out their platform
pledge of establishing international
bimetallism. or have failed to fulfil
their campaign promise to revive pros
perity and to restore confidence. 1t
is duty, says Mr.. Lane, "enjoined
upon every citizen to assist the pres
dent-elect in every effort to promote
the welfare of the people by any policy
which he may consider will accomplish
that result" This is precisely in line
with the repeated suggestions Of the
Journal to the democratic and pOpulis-
tic members-elect of the next congress,
that they oppose the Mckinley policy
only sufficiently to show themselves
faithful to their principles. Mere fac
tious opposition, mere striving for de-
lay, filibustering and hair splitting
will surely operate to the injury Of the
minority. The people have pronounced
for McKinleyism and are entitled to
have it.
Continuing, Chairman Lane says:
We earnestly advise all our friends
and coadjutords throughout the Unit
ed States to suspend active agitation
of the subject of the free coinage of
silver, further than a simple mobiliz-
ing of the free silver clubs throughout
the Union and the keeping up of the
club rolls for future service. II it
can be demonstrated by actual service
that the theories advocated by the Re-
publican party in the recent election
will bring to the people the promised
relief, every bimetallist in the United
States will be as free to acknowledge
his error as he was candid in support
ing his principles in the past campaign.
But if. on the contrary, we are fur
nished only with broken pledges, and
the old makeshift Of issuing bonds in
the vain attempt of keeping up our
credit by running further into debt is
again resorted to. we promise to renew
the struggle until bimetallism shall be-
come an accomplished fact in the Unit
ed States.
AS national chairman of the bime-
tallic party call upon all of its forces
throughout the United States, regard
less of past party affiliations, to accept
the result with dignity and forbear-
ance, and to join in UNFOLDING the
hands of Major Mckinley as president
of the United States, and to support
him in all his efforts to increase the
prosperity and well-being of the citi-
zens of this republic, but in no man
ner to abate their earnestness in the
cause of free coinage, so that when it
shall again be necessary to assert the
principle we may be in better condition
than was possible in the recent strug-
gle.
This is sound common sense; good
patriotism and good politics as we'll
The people never expected so much of
an administration as is expected of the
coming one. Thus far there has been
grave disappointment in the results Of
McKinley's victory. The promised con-
fdence and prosperity have not fully
mNserialized, but as yet no opportun-
ity has been given the Republicans to
enact any of their remedial legislation.
This opportunity should not be de-
layed an hour by mere partisan oppo-
sition. Every citizen, regardless OF
politics, would rejoice in the better
ment of the industrial situation, and
no citizen should obstruct any action
honestly intended to accomplish it.
If it be necessary to address the incom-
ing congressman as politicians rather
than as citizens, it may be pointed out
to the minority that it will not serve
their political purposes in 1900 if the
Republicans can point to a record OF
persistent and effective obstruction by
the minority as reason why the prom
ises so lavishly made in the late
campaign had not been fulfilled.
Mr.. Lane and his committee are to
be complimented upon the patriotic
tone of their address.-New York Jour
nal.