The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-02
WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 2, 1898.


The solid vote OF the Republican men,
bers of the House of Representatives to
bury the Teller resolution and the solid
vote of the Democratic members Of that
body for passing it, has at last and FIN
ally drawn the line on the main point
OF the money question distinctly and
clearly between the two parties In this
country. From the time the controversy
over silver became acute, 1t has been telt
that the Republican party would sooner
or later become the champion OF sound
money and that unwise leaders would
carry the Democratic party over to the
side of cheap money, but compromises
and unmeaning phrases like information
nj bimetallism" have deferred sharp de-
timing of the true issue until now. But
the issue is now Enthusiastically and unal-
terably made The Republican party is
from this time forward the avowed ad-
VOC OF the single gold standard which
carries with Il the maintenance and pre-
servation of whatever is. with all the new
growth that can be added Shall the DEM
ocratic party be the party of repudia-
ton Of contracts and cheap money and
the overthrow Of all that is fixed and es-
tablshed?
This is a dreadful question for Demo-
crat to ask OF his own party, but the
honest ana sincere Democrat is unable TO
shut his eyes to what the unwise men
who have come into control Of 1t have al
ready done TO It. They have torn it loose
from its ancient moorings, they have set
Il adrift upon the high seas Of chaos. and
unless they change their course they will
Drive it 20 utter wreck against those i'm
mutable barriers which Christian civili-
cation has erected to thwart those who
wish to carry the world back TO dark
age Heaven knows 1t gives us no Joy to
record these words. Heaven knows it is
with grief that wrings our heart that we
stand by and see our glorious old party
threatened with wreck and disorgaaiza-
ton. When that crushing overthrow that
awaits the present leaders Of the Demo-
cratic party has overtaken them. then
the party will rise again from its ashes,
clad in the habilaments Of the old and the
true Democracy. and, welded faithfully
once more 10 order, stability and pro-
gress 1t will again resume its march at
the head Of the column that carries the
banner on which Is inscribed equal rights
and impartial justice 20 all men, and
special privileges TO none.
We don't know when we have been
more inspired than ne were by reading
the following passage from the speech
Of Mr. Dngley. OF Maine. In opening the
debate in the House upon the Teller
resolution. lie said
NO one denies that this or any other
nation mas the power to pay ia full or in
part or not at all. its obligations: TO pay
"a gold or silver or paper or copper. &C
oording 10 its pleasure Payment cannot
lie enforced against sovereign nation.
It's obligations are measured by its own
sense OF honor and good faith. But even
~ this sense OF honor is at any time
blunted. as was Shylock's. by dwelling
on A narrow view OF the letter rather
IMAM the spirit OF the OullSdllOis iitt III
teillgent selfishness of nation which is
10 i've. not simply for a generation. but
for centuries. ought 10 lead &. and when
over a nation Is wisely governed does lead
Il. to scrupulously maintain its pledges in
both letter and spirit so as TO preserve its
credit untarnished and thereby not only
make ". possible 10 borrow at the lowest
rate or interest. but also to make II easy
10 obtain loans in exigencies which are
sure. sooner or later. TO come to every
nation.
"A nations honor and credit. ] NAV
saw 10 gentlemen on the other side, who
applauded so iubilantly when the pending
resolution was brought into this hail. are
among its most priceless possessions-ayc
its title deed 10 permanence and pros
perity. Gentlemen on the other side who
so exultantly applauded under the i'm
preston that they were hitting the hated
holder of bonds issued by the govern
ment TO fund the debt incurred In de-
Tending and saving the Union in it, years
OF adversely and peril were. I'm fact. hit
ting and discrediting the credit OF the
nation which stands for every citizen
hifh or low. rich or poor and whose flag
is the emblem Of freedom and civil!za.
ton
Why was there no Democratic Repre-
sentative t. stand UP upon the floor and