The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1897-04-24
THE IDEA Is RIGHT.
Convention of the Silver Forces of
Oregon should BE Held.
DUFUR, Or, April Is, 1897.

DUFUR, Or, April Is, 1897.
ED. TINES -MoUNTAINEER
was pleased today to see an article
in your paper that there was under
consideration, the calling of conven-
tion for the purpose OF uniting the
silver forces of the state for the next
campaign. This is a move in the
right direction, and one that will in
my opinion meet with general approval.
There is nothing that has taken place
so far during this administration, that
does not point to a successful termina-
ton at the next election of the demands
of the silver ISSUE I have been in
clined to think that the senate ought
to allow the tariff bill to go through,
for feel sure that it would thoroughly
demonstrate that it is impossible to
raise revenue by tariff, unless there
is money in the hands of the people
with which to buy goods. The reason
that we cannot buy goods with the
money that there is now in the country,
is that about $500. O.O000, 900 of the So
called circulating medium of the
country is in the banks, and the credit
of the people has been destroyed by a
contraction of circulation. If the
people were not in debt, their credit
could be used to draw the money out
for the channels of trade; then they
could buy goods, and by that means it
would be possible to raise a revenue
by tariff, but it cannot be done when
every avenue by which the stream that
supplies the people with circulation
has been cut off. Under the Bland
Allison act, and also under the Sher-
man purchasing act the stream was
partially supplied. repeatedly called
the attention of the people to that fact
during the fall campaign. But they
were sure it could be done, now we
will have the demonstration and that
will settle it.
I think that the plan suggested for
the convention is good one. One
silver republican. one democrat and
one populist, from each county,
if they have proper conception of the
financial question, can unity the silver
forces of the state so as TO control the
next election in the interests of
Americans. What we want in such
convention is patriotism, loyalty to
A
further and say, loyalty to humanity,
for the demands that we are making
on this silver issue, involve the pros
perity and well being of 100000. 600
people, involving the best interests OF
the race. In considering the work of
such convention we should remember
that it is not question of whether
each plank in any one of the the party
platforms, is right or wrong; now, the
question for us to consider is whether
this or that plank will make the war
on the gold standard stronger. The
bank of England is behind the gold
standard movement, whereas we have
nothing behind the silver movement
to guarantee its success, except our
loyalty to Ameaican citizenship,
loyalty to American liberty, loyalty to
our homes and families. I say yes, let
US have such a convention. and let us
meet, willing to take an oath to do our
duty for those who send US there, and
not as the last legislature did, take an
oath of a popilist god, and of a demo-
cratic god and republican god. and
thus form a trinity that heaven, earth
and hell could not unite.
A. J. BRIGHAM.