The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-10-24

VIII GO Republican this fall Is beoao Sc
there are so many men In the state
who feel precisely as Judge /. n. Max
well. Of whatcoua. feels
The silver Issue Is dead Il wifi never
be revived again until prosperity be-
gins to wane Should tina. time ever
come, az II may. a new set CT argu-
ments and illustrations viii be neces-
sary. But for the present the silver
issue Is dead
AS Judge Maxwell was one Of the
electors from this state to the electoral
college on behalf Of Bryan, he may be
presumed TO have some standing In the
free silver party. He is frank In his
admission OF error. and courageous in
bis declaration of purpose.
Two years ago there was q period OF
great financial depression. There had
been an era Of speculation and over
production. The reaction set in: the in
f1ated prices OF property began TO
shrink: the owners were unable TO pay
interest and taxes: foreclosures were
general: business men failed, employees
were thrown out Of employment and
mechanics stood on the sidewalk. out
Of work. and often not knowing where
the next meal was to come from. A
political faction saw an opportunity to
suggest q remedy and ride into effice
upon IT, Thousands of men. like Max
well. seized upon any possible means
OK relief with ayidity. Thousands
abandoned long established principles
OF commerce and Of honor. and focked
TO the new standard which promised
to lead them 10 prosperity. as the
children OF Haneiin city followed TO
the notes Of the pied piper. There was
excuse for those who sought in desper-
ation TO lift themselves out Of the
Slough Of Despond into which they
were fast sinking.
They were confronted by two doc
trines and two parties. The Repubii-
cans counseled patience and confidence.
the Populists advocated revolution.
the adoption OF a wholly experimental
plan. Theirs was the more novel, the
tried. The nation at large rejected il,
but this state was among the few Re
publican states which was led astray.
Under Republican administration and
a continuance OF that policy which had
never failed 10 bring prosperity TO the
country. business began To revive. AS
the Republicans had prophesied. SO soon
as the fear Of free silver was remoy ed
confidence was restored and every
sect Of the steady stream Of capital
which at once began To flow. Whether
this result Is due or not to the policy
Of sound money. advocated by Rcpubli-
cans, or whether IL is due to a return
to the policy OF protection, need not
now be discussed The fact stands IN
challenged that the prosperity accom-
panied resolution made by the people
at the polls to stand by both.
We may with Justification ask the
voters Of this state whether there is
anything I'm the present conditions or
In the promise az the future 70 warrant
vote which may possibly Impair the
merit Of either We may ask those
who voted with the fusionssts two years
age. 10 vote with us this year. and so
long as Republican policy brings pros
pevity We assume that those who
voted with the Iopullsts in 1896 were
actuated By The same motive which
prompted Republicans. We were al
alike In attempting, ny our vote. 10 bat
ter the conditions. The only reason
any man had for voting FER free sllve.
was because he believed that - be TIE
| only means ~ which prosperity could
| h, res5orc<; 70 this country
! once convinced thai & Is not essen,
| tai. seeing that vote fer Republican
! Ism does not mean disaster as he was
/ .old by Bryan leaders. there Ia no man
nee,i he ashamed 81 follow the lead q.
| Judge Maxwell. and say;
| Like many others. his 81 the s.lve.
Idea as a remedy I see now that the
| monetary system had nothing ~ ia
| with These conditions The country Is
| prosperous. ana the people eo,,een;e,s
| agreed with the Popilssts two yezvs
| aga solely en- the che issue CO SILVER
| New that /; is dead issue. ard swcp:
cat os the way, have 10 mare Use fcr
! the party"
/ The Republicans - This state hold
| oat TIE hand 90 good Fellowship 70
| those who honestly differed with then,
two years ago They ask jseir former
colleagues 10 give this new aAulnis;yS-
/ tica With SIS policy. saiy trsai II
sesrs1s IN b. doiag we,1 now: II tustlcs
| 60 net ;Aw&rt The coarse q prosperity