The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-02-27


Populists and Silver Republicans
united in demanding. the immediate
restoration of independent bimetallsm
at the existing ratio of sixteen TO one,
and they agreed in declaring that the
money question was of paramount inn
portance at that time.
The question now arises, should these
three political organizations act togeth-
err in the Congressional campaign OF
1893.
/ answer without hesitation Yes.
Those who answer No must assume
the burden of proving first, that CO"
operation was unwise in 1896, or second,
that conditions have so changed as to
make unwise now what was wise then.
The defeat that befell the allied forces
does not prove cooperation at that
time to have been unwise, unless 1t can
be shown that some one party would
have been more succesSFul than the
three combined.
Cooperation does not contemplate the
abandonment OF party organization or
the surrender of any political principles,
nor is co-operation defended on the
ground that the platforms of the three
parties are identical. Campaigns gem
orally turn upon few issues, sometimes
upon one, and events do much to deter
milne which issue shall most absorb
public attention.
MIR. BRYAN,S PLAN OF UNION.
If the Democrats, POpulists and Silver
Republicans were agreed upon but one
question. that question might be inn
portant enough to justify the parties DIFF
fering on all other suojects but those
who advocate the union of the principal
reform forces against the common enemy,
can point not to one, but number OF
reforms which are demanded with equai
emphasis by Democrats, Populists and
silver Republicans
First-1lhey are unalterably opposed
to gold monometaHism.
Second-I1hey demand the immediate
restoration of bimetallism at the present
ratio by the independent action of this
country.
Third-They oppose the retirement Of
the greenbacks.
Fourth--They oppose the issue or pa
per money by national banks.
Fifth-They oppose the issue of inter-
est bearing bonds in time of peace.
Sixth-They favor the income tax as
means of raising part of the revenue
necessary to administer the Federal
Government.
Seyenth-They favor the abolition OF
trusts.
Eighth--They are opposed to govern.
ment by injunction.
Ninth-1ney are in favor of arbitra-
ton as a means of settling disputes be-
tween labor and capital.
Here are nine issues which are not
only important in themselves, but are
now prominently before the people. Are
not these reforms worth securing! These
questions were submitted to the people
Mt the last election, but they were not
settled and will not be settled until
they are settled right.
THE WAR ON REPUBLICANS.
The Republican party is trying to
commit the country more thoroughly to
the gold standard. Even now it is
endeavoring to secure legislative in
aorsement of the policy of paying all
coin obligations in gold. 1t pretends
to be mucn concerned about national
honor and the public credit. The lead
ers of the party know that the DEBTOR
whether a public debtor of private
debtor, meets all the requirements or
the law. moral as well as statutory, when
he discharges his obligations according
to the terms of the contract. Iney
know that all through the war the gov
eminent, and private debtors as we'll,
paid coin obligations in gold, although
gold was worth less cents on the dollar
than silver. And yet these leaders
would accuse Abraham Lincoln of dis
honor rather than incur the dlspleas-
ure Of the Wall street magnates, who
now control the financial policy or Une
Republican party.
These leaders know that il the Fede-
I IL ~
ray all coin obligations in gold, its ex-
ample will be used as an argument
10 force gold contracts upon State and
Municipal government and upon pri-
yate citizens. These leaders know that
if their scheme is carried out, the very
existence of these gold obligations will
be urged as a reason why b.metallism
should not be restored
RESULT OF REPUBLICAN CON
troll.
If the Republicans obtain control OF
tho Senate and House in the elections
of 1898. there is no doubt that they
will by law. surrender the contract
right which the Government now has,
to pay coin obligations I'M silver (of
which we are large producers) and
bind the nation to pay in gold tan ap-
preciating metal, the productlon OF Wulacn
is largely controlled by England
The Republican PARTY will, II le OBJ
tains control of Congress in 1898, aban
don the system which gives the DEBTOR
the option, and substitute new system
which, first permits the money IenderS
TO choose the coin Of payment, ana
second, allows them to increase tne pur
chasing power OF the dollars which tnei
demand to the impOverishment or uhs
wealth producers OF the world.
Should those WHO oppose this financia
heresy, this child of greed and avarice
fight each other while the American PEG
pie are bound with letters of gold!
SHOULD FRIENDS FIGHT?
The Administration is clearly com
United to the policy of opposing indie
pendent bimetallism. Should friend:
of bimetallism help the Administration
by fighting each otheri
The Secretary of the Treasury il
planning the retirement of the green
backs. Should those who oppose re
4;ring of greenbackS help to DESTROY