The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-29
SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1898.
THE PRESIDENT Is SOUND.

The whole country Knows lldl iIt9-
,dent Mckinley was once strongly faint
ed with the errors of those who approve
the free coinage of silver. But that
Is true Of many men who are to-day as
firmly opposed 10 the pernicious faliacies
as any. II may be said of Mr.. Carlisle,
yet, in the past two or three years Mr..
Carlisle has exposed the errors Of free
coinage as ably and as successfully as
any man in the United States. There is
no good therefore, at this day, in re-
preaching any one with having been
free coiner in the past The most thor
ough and complete instructor in the
world, events. has taught them the true
theory Of the matter and they have
learned that they were advocating a dam
gerous error when they advocated free
coinage. 1t Is 10 their credit that they
have the manlinoss 10 confess error and
resolve to follow the right hereafter.
We have frequently heard distrust eX-
pressed Of what Mr. Mckinley would do
If free coinage bill were sent to him
by Congress. but We think there is no oc-
casion for 1t after his speech on Thurs
day last before the National Association
of Manufacturers in New York city. His
declarations in favor Of a fixed and un-
changeable standard Of value ought TO
satisfy every one that as far as he can
hold the c, untry bound firmly to the gold
standard, it will remain upon it. Read
the following passage in his speech. lie
said
There IS another duty resting upon
the national government. TO coin money
and regulate the value thereof This
duty requires that your government shall
regulate the value of its money by the
highest standards Of commercial hon
osty and national honor. The money of
the United States is and must forever be
unauestionad and unassailable, II doubts
remain they must be removed If weak
places are discovered they must be
strengthened Nothing should ever
tempt us, nothing ever Will tempt us, TO
scale down the sacred debt OF the nation
through a legal techniCality. Whatever
may be the language OF the contract the
United States will discharge all of its OBJ
legations in the currency recognized as
the best throughout the civilized world
at the times of payment Nor will we
ever consent that the wages of labor or
its frugal savings shall be scaled down
by permitting payment in dollars of less
value than the dollars accepted as the
standard In every enlightened nation OF
the earth.
Under existing conditions our citizens
cannot be excused il they do not re-
double their efforts 10 secure such hnan-
cial legislation as will place their hon
orable intentions beyond dispute.
IAN these who represent, as you do the
great conservative but progressive bust
ness in this country. owe 10 not only 10
themselves but to the people TO insist
upon the settlement of this great Quos-
ton now or else 10 face the alternative
that IL must be again submitted Tor arbi-
tration at the polls. This is our plain
duty 10 more than seven million voters
who fifteen months ago won great po-
utical battle on the issue. among others
That the United States government would
not permit a doubt 10 exist anywhere
concerning tho stability and integrity OF
its currency Of the inViolability OF its OBJ
legations OF every kind. That is my in
depreciation OF that victory. Whatever
EFFORT. therefore is required TO make tho
settlement Of this vital question clear
and conclusive for all time. We are bound
In good conscience TO undertake and If
possible realize"
No honest and sincere man could say
that and have what the French cali an
arriere pensee-a reserved thought-that
when a free silver bill came before him
no would approve Of It, No honest man
could say that and approve OF a free
silver bill. In our opinion. therefore. It
IS perfectly certain that President Nc
Kinley would veto free silver bin IL by
any mischance one should get TO him
during his term OF office.
The president, as will be seen, en-
phasixes what The Times pointed out
when the debate upon the resolution de-
ciaring the governments bonds payable
I'm silver commenced In the Senate. that
the question Is not whether the govern
ment has the legal right TO pay them in
silver but whether the right is one which
A. would be wise for the government 10
exercise. no sane man who knows any
things whatever OF the facts OF the case
would call in question on the right of the
government 10 pay them In silver. But that
does not meet the question which an hon
1T man and nan cognizant OF the u.s.