Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-12-23
CAGES QUICK REPLY.
INVITES PROOF THAT he II WRONG,

eesssss<os - ~ VIEW nD0Y OK
People Never Peroasently Beueseial 10
the Ciass Advocating the Same. says the
sreFetary-Questiea Of Rascal or Fosl
freasea with Grsst Fr.nkuess - oas
Fsrss About Osr foreiss Relations.
Washington. Dec :3.-secretary Care
has written the following letter to
President 0ompers. Of the Federation
OF Labor: Il have read with care the
resolutions adopted the goth inst. At
Nashville by the convention Of the
federation OF Labor. which recite as
follows: Resolved. that we declare
ourselves most positively opposed to the
Gage financial bill recently introduced
IN congress by the secretary Of the
treasury. 1t is a measure that IL adopt
ed Is law will only the more firmly
rivet the gold standard on the people
OF the country and perpetuate its dis
astrous effects in every form. Resolved.
that we pronounce the Gage bill an I'm
disguised effort TO retire our grecnback
currency and all government paper
money. with a view TO the substitution
OF national hank notes In their stead.
and thus fasten the national bank sys
tenn Tor years upon the American peo-
pie
Makes the Application Personal.
Now IL IL be true that the cold
standard-by which things have been
measured as to price for the las. sixty
years In this country-is inimical to the
interests ~ hn 10
United states. then I think IL is inimical
10 al classes. In other words I do not
believe that the exploitation OF one
class by another, either through false
weights. partial laws or q bad monetary
system. can be made to work for the
permanent benefit OF the exploiting class
itself: or for the general veal. even
were II defensible on any ground of
right or justice. which IL II not. Granted.
therefore. that the permanence Of the
gold standard for which I argue) op-
crates in this evil direction, then your
resolutions Of condemnation are well
founded. and l am Justly charged, either
with an ignorance which constitutes
me foolish adviser. or with a perver-
si'y Of motive which makes me an
evil adviser.
Ignorance . Relative Term.
Il have a right to disavow the charge
OF perversity or evil purpose. since
there IL nothing in my whole life as
related tot my feiiowmen-either In word
or deed-from which the possession by
me OF such characteristics can be in.
ferred. much less demonstrated. But
ignorance often unconsciously works as
deep injury az evil intent might do, and
10 this sin OF ignorance az II be q sinh
must confess myself Q possible VIC
tim. This confession. however. ought
not 10 classify me as separate from my
feliowmen generally. whether they be
considered as individual units or as
eonsr~gated In groups. Ignorance 10 q
relative. not an absolute. term. since
few are totally ignorant, and none is
absolutely wise. Nor does the number
constituting the group change this fact.
since the wisdom OF a group. however
large. cannot be greater than that Of
the wieest man in II.
Chsilenges Oompsrs 10 the Proof
This remains true whether the sub
jeet matter involving knowledge and
Judgment be astronomy. physics or
finance. The condemnation then in
volved In the resolutions referred to Is
measured by the Just or imperfect ap-
pSehension OF questions relating to
monetary science held by the wisest
men who supported them. Laying
these general considerations aside. let
Ds say to you. and through you to the
treat body you 30 honorably represent.
a. II % ali 60 xa~olss-