Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-12-09
NANYS NO MORE BRYAN
A Prominent Democrats Reasons Tor Re-
fusing to Support Min Longer.
,1n,e,vie,. in Minneapolis Jouynol.)


w. w. Erwin, the St. Paul criminal
lawyer. and one of the most ardent dis
ciples of silver in the last campaign,
who was chairman OF the joint con-
ference committee of the silver re-
publicans and peoples party, repudiates
the argument put forward by Mr..
Bryan in the campaign OF 1896. The
causes which have led to this declara-
ton on the part of Erwin are not ap-
parent, but In an interview with a
Journal man this morning Erwin de-
nounced the methods Of Mr.. Bryan as
misleading, superficial, illogical and
arbitrary. Erwin seems to have more
faith in John Sherman and in his
methods of combating the money trust,
than in any hope in Organism.
Referring to possible action of con-
gress on the currency question Mr..
Erwin said this morning:
"The national bank clique which
hopes to control President Mckinley,
has evidently failed in that enterprise.
It secured the appointment Of Secre-
tary Gage, but Mckinley placed at the
head of his cabinet John Sherman,
plainly indicating his faith in the
Sherman idea of finance. Years ago
John Sherman checkmated the bank
CLIQUE by the issue of silver certificates
and it is evident that Mckinley will
never consent to surrender OF the
power to issue notes made current by
law, to any designated class OF private
bankers. I think, too, that the strong
est argument in favor OF the govern
ment remaining in the banking busi-
ness is as yet unannounced. Sherman
undoubtedly has perceived it, and it
will surely influence President Nc
Kinley. 1t is simply this-there is no
power or bond or tradition or possi-
bility of maintaining intact, the present
harmonious, united and patriotic spirit
OF all the American sections, unless the
general government shall receive such
bond by remaining perpetually in con-
troll of the finances OF this nation.
1.-THE campaign of 1896 failed to dis
close the real struggle for the mastery.
Bryan nominated at Chicago,
without consultation with the thought
OF the country, opened what might be
called crusade for cheap money. The
defeat of Bryan was accepted until the
present, as a triumph OF the nationa!
bank clique. but when Mckinley 8
message is read, there will undoubted-
ly appear between the lines his strong
negative to the ambitions of the clique. y
"Then what is to become of Bryan?''
''The patriotic thought of the coun-
try has already discarded Bryan as the
apostle OF true economic reform. He
will never be accorded the leadership
again. As to my reasons for making
this announcement now, will submit
a letter sent some time ago to Senator
Pettigrew, containing succinctly my
beliefs in the absurdity of Bryan's
arguments"
Here Mr.. Erwin exhibited the mis-
sive which began with an exhaustive
review of economic conditions leading
up TO the present financial system. His
conclusion was that hard money, either
gold or silver, was the money of the
people, and that the issue OF paper
medium was directly in the interests
OF the money trust" The letter went
on:
Had Mr.. Bryan analysed the cam.
paign Of '96 as deeply as he should
have done, had he so brought out this
conspiracy of the money classes to de-
stroy competitive systems of labor, oul
battle cry would not have been silver
against gold, but it would have beer
s.Gold and Silver Coin, the Money o.
Labor, against National Bank Notes
the Money Of Privilege
Mr.. Bryan unfortunately put for
wal as the leading proposition Of thu
campaign only corollary, viz: that q
gold had appreciated py reason of th'
demonstration OF silver, and rs gol,
was not sufficient in the worlds posses
sion to do the worlds business OF pro
duction ana exchange, therefore None
should be made from some metal com
modify now available, and more cheaI
" obtainable than gold. But he faiie
to discuss the necessitated use of col
money in order to deprive the priyi
eyed classes OF their imperial power
to create money out of nothing, an
force the acquiescence Of all person
engaged in human enterprises to til
maintenance and establishment OF thee
| special privileges.
Had Mr.. Bryan placed the strugg
between the classes and the democrat
upon these true issues, the people !,
these United States would have bee
r.a,,avnf7 IN axnAct the afkamn nts vhiC