Natchitoches populist., 1898-05-13

triots' Bulletin for April. That journal,
which, by the way, is edited by w. H.
Harvey, the pioneer champion OF
American bimetallism, is great edu-
cational paper. Pity that 1t is not
read in every American home With
becoming foresight its distinguished
editor warns the people OF events to
follow Nov. s. 1900.
1t was Tuesday night, November 6,
1900. The long portentous struggle
was over. The flercest battle ever
fought at the ballot box had culminat-
ed on that eventful day. The telegraph
instruments were ticking the first re-
turns. that would in few hours, bring
the news of victory or defeat to one
or the other of the two contending
forces. The first information placed
on the bulletin boards was from New
York City. 1t showed gains for the
gold standard candidate over the vote
Of 1896. A cheer rent the air wherever
the hosts Of Mammon were assembled.
A few minutes later similar telegram
from Boston was posted to be follow
ed Immediately by one from Ohio, Co
lumbus, the latter saying that the
Twelfth ward Of that city showed a
gain of 240 for the candidate Of the
allied forces. The returns were being
compared with the election Of 1896.
Then the news came faster. From
every point west Of the Allegheny
mountains came gains for the fusion
candidate-the candidate Of the people.
BY II o'clock. midnight, 1t was known
that the forces of humanity had won.
Thirty-four states had certainly given
their votes for financial independence,
from Europe, and the vote Of several
other states was in doubt; but the
majority was pronounced, beyond Ques-
ton, for financial freedom from the
moRarchies of the old world and
against trusts and monopolies. Both
houses of congress would be with the
new president by decided majority.
II.
The following day, Wednesday,
brought confirmation of the news and
with ii, In the morning papers, all
kinds Of forebodings of disaster TO
business and commerce. Impromptu
meetings in Boston and New York
talked secession. a panic looked i'm
minent, 1t was boldly asserted that
the election would be contested, that
President Mckinley would stand by
the money power and trusts, and that
General Miles would place the army at
the disposal Of the money power. Gov
ernor Pingree Of Michigan wired the
chairman of the National Committee
of the allied forces at II a. M, offer
ing to place 100000 men in the field
at once, to enforce the verdict Of the
people. At o'clock r. M, Governor
Means Of Ohio threatened to commence
the mobilization OF the state troops of
Ohio if the threat to overthrow the
popular viii was repeated From the.
middle. west and south came the same
ominous sound that portended hurri-
cane. From the governor of Texas
came the following significant mes
sage; Let them but raise hand and
SEe viii throw every mothers son of
them into the Atlantic ocean" The
stock exchange had opened feyerish.
They first took an average dip of ten
points, steadied and rose couple of
points, followed by suspension Of
trading. Tho afternoon papers ex-
pressed the sentiment of the people
fearless and uncompromising with
messages from fifteen warlike govern
crs. At p. m. there were hurried
meetings of stock brokers and money
changers in ali big cities and all these
separate meetings were in eonsulta-
fion by wire. BY midnight they had
reached a conclusion It was, to take
their medicine. They had decided 10
surrender. There was too much at
stake, and. panic was sure, if some
thing was not done by them through
the morning paper, to quite the peo-
ple. Their investments would be swept
away IN day In mad. unprecedent-
ed panic, II oil was not poured on the
troubled waters. They poured it in
copious doses. Self-invited interviews
with prominent bankers and heads Of
trust syndicates expressed calm and
conservative views, denied that any at
tempt Of opposing the popular will had
been thought Of; deplored the result
or the election: but assured the public
that they woaid do all IN their power
to restore confidence. They called at
tensloa to the fact that all debts OF
ours held By foreigners, except gov
eminent bonds, were payable in gold
That these gold contracts would be
Ossid in gold. the money OF the con-
lrscf:: and that these obligations were
N 40 manner impaired and no reason
existed Why foreign creditors should
unload these gold securities, that would
Be promptly paid On maturity in the
money agreed upon. That the govern
ment bonds. payable in coin. gold or
yslysr. were Insignificant in amount as
,.5 x.,sth 4fea nfisar fysfsaA@as3sosS