The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1897-06-03


curiosity and with the suspicion that |
they were Hanna's emissaries when |
they came from distance with the
ostensible purpose OF instructing our
people in the paths of rectitude and
honesty. We remember that three
of this kind were thrust upon us at
one dose, the memorable trio of
Peckham, Harrison and Sykes, and
we remember, too. that two OF the
three came out fat footed and ad-
vocated the election of the Republi
can candidate for President, afford
ing another instance of difficulty in
reconeiling, since the platform upon
| which they pretended to stand, and
from which Mr.. Bynum quotes,
charged the Republican party with
class legislation and that itproposed
''no remedy for existing evils except
oppressive az d unjust taxation"
1t is certain that very little, if any
thing, was said in this section. by
either gold bug Republicans or gold
! bug Democrats in advocacy of State
banks, the string Mr.. Bynum is now
pulling. Restoration of confidence
through the perpetuation of the gold
| standard was the burden of most of
the songs from that side of the house.
We do not recall that Mr.. Bynum,
when he was a member of Congress,
took active steps towards removing
the great obstacle to the re establish
ment of State banks-the tax i'm
posed upon these institutions by the
general government. If he did any
thing in that direction we will very
cheerfully record it to his credit.
Now, in justification of our posi-
ton, we would quote little from
the Indianapolis platform, using a
portion not referred to by Mr.. Bynum
in bis article After declaring for the
gold standard, even more positively
than did the Republican platform,
the Indianapolis document asserts
that such a standard assures "the
most stable standard and especially
the best and safest money for all who
earn a livelihood by labor or the
produce of husbandry. They cannot
suffer when paid in the best money
known to man." etc.
We submit, in addition to what we
have already said, that a condition
under which the classes referred to
above cannot suffer" must, neces
sarily, contain an element of pros
perity, since these classes constitute
the bone and sinew of the country,
and the promise of such condition
implies very strongly the promise OF
prosperity.
The Republicans and the gold
Democrats succeeded in fostering the
gold standard upon US and it does
not Re quire very close observation to
discern that the promised prosperity
has not come to those who "earn a
livelihood by labor or the produce Of
husbandry," and that the sufferings
of these classes are far greater now
than when the scare crow OF the
''silver heresy" was Haunted in their
faces. We believe that Mr.. Bynun
now recognizes this grievous fact
and hence We will not pursue this line
of thought at this time.
AS to Mr.. Bynum's present plan o
relief, or, if it will please him better
to SO put it, as to his emphasis of the
currency reform clause of his plat
platform, we repeat what we said il
the editorial referred to by him
The people are willing to con
slider any plan which promises te
bring the financial relief so greatly
needed, but it may be put dowI
as dead certainty that tn,
free coinage Of both gold and silver
at the ratio of Is to I, will remain 6
live issue until it becomes a part o
the currency policy of this govern
ment, or until something else hal
been tried and not found wanting
The question is not to be sidetracket
by mere theories.