The news & observer., 1897-11-24
November "A, 1897.
FUTURE OF SlLV r.

Ii we look at the future Of silver agl
tation, there is increasing evidence o.
\ growing conviction that relief can only
ceme through Democracy, as represent
ed BY the declarations Of the Chicago
platform. and that the United States
must take the initiative and begin inde
p<ndent free coinage. In such an event
France is and will be ''willin'." To the
consideration OF a rapidly increasing
popular demand in England, and India
for bimetallism, will be added the exl
xency Of self-defense and seltishness
twin dictators and inspirers of Eng
hands grasping policy, and aggressive
craftsmanship, even when her outrage'
are perpetrated in the name Of chris
tian civ .lization."
AS to cur recent elections, no less al
authority than a single standard writer
Mr.. Matthew Marshall, of good reputt
even in Eastern gold standard financial
circles, says, in last weeks New Yorl
Sun: Tuesdays elections prove that
the silyerites are fully justified in con
tinuing their fight"
Even the close vote by which Mr.
Bryan was defeated, with the united
money and corporate power against him
-, 100000 to $500, 0,000-when silver was
for the first time made national issue,
and before an international agreement
had proved failure, justifes Mr.. Mar.
shal's contention.
II we add, that the State Of New
York Ito say nothing of the city, shows
q change of temper: that Ohio, having
gone overwhelmingly against silver,
new sees Foraker ''sulking in his tent, ~
and Mr.. Kurtz, ex-Republican State
Chairman claiming that a silver Repub-
ican will succeed Senator Hanna: that
Kentucky is again in the Democratic
column, and that even ''the Star-eyed
Goddess of Reform" Col. Watterson, is
I'm the dumps; that Nebras-
ka stood bravely by Bryan, as did
all the Western States that gave him
majorities before: when we reflect upon
all this, the most loyal Republican, or
"doubtipg Thomas," cannot fail to see
that silver is a very live potent and
popular issue.
1T is equally obvious that Mr.. Bryan
Is still tie leading, logical, available ex-
ponent of bimetallsm in our country,
so far as practical politics, and hopes
OF success at the polls, are concerned.
90 deduct from the Republican
column that large army of patriotic and
honest voters who supported the Presi-
dent believing him to be the real friend
las he at one time fancied himself to
bel of silver, and who, in the next con-
test, will support the ticket that favors
independent and immediate free coinage,
can there be any doubt about the re-
suit? If tomorrow were election day
for President, would not Democracy
win by a larger vote than that by which
u was defeated?
The fact that the aggregate vote fol
silver, in the recent election was almost
a great as the total vote against it, {
year ago, is cause for rejoicing to all hi
netallists, the world over, regardless O
party.
And now that the Republican paper
and orators can no longer entertain G
deceive the voter with the pleasing pros
pect and alluring promise of an interna
tional agreement, will not the vote fo
silver and Democracy be still larger
1898 and in 1900?
And when the great victory for hi
manity shall have been won four bi
lions Of debt-paying coin-the amour
subtracted by the demonetization Of 81
ver-will have been added to the r
sources of the worlds commerce.
With the increasing sanity Of though
the great reform cannot long be della
ed, and must surely come, when t
common sense of mankind is directed
the fact, that bimetallism is older tn;
the Christian religion, and is tried a.
true, gold monometallism is an Ang
Saxon political and economic "fad,"
modern product, begot OF British gre'
born OF human selfishness, and MOI
isheG by the sufferings Of the great ma
es Of men.
With such parentage and such q !
tory. it is not surprising that the weit
of the best scientific thought of the
Is on the side of bimetallism, rs it
also, on the side Of freer trade re
tOnS. &, sAIsANa