The age-herald., 1898-02-09

 up issues other than the coinage of silver at ratio of 16 to l. MT. Bryan says:
 In answer to your inquiry submit some of the reasons which lead me to believe that the money question presents an issue which is still paramount in importance. In the platform adopted at Chicago the democratic party said: Recognizing that the money question is paramount to all others at this time we invite atten- ton to the fact that the federal constitu- tion named silver and gold together as the money metals of the United States. and that the first coinage law passed by con gress under the constitution made the sill yer dollar the monetary unit and admitted gold to free coinage at ratio based upon the silver dollar unit"
 After thus elevating the question to the place of supreme importance the platform proceeded to point out the effect of an ap- preciating dollar, and declared the unalter- able opposition of the party to the gold standard, characterizing 1t as both un- American and anti-American. The plat form specifically demanded:
 First-rhe free and unlimited coinage or both silver and gold at the present ieeai ratio of 16 to l.
 Second-That the standard silver dollar be made a 1ull legal teuuer, equohy "AeA' gold for all debts, public and private
 Third-The enactment of such Legislation as will prevent for the future the demon etization of any kind of legal tender money by private contract
 Fourth-That the United States shall not surrender it's right to redeem Its obliga- tions in either gold or silver
 Fifth-That the government snail not iS- sue interest bearing bonds in time of peace.
 Sixth-That the government shall not sur render to national banks the right to issue paper money.
 While the declaration against national bank notes is not a part of the silver plank, the division line between those who favor independent bimetallism and those who op- pose it is almost identical with the line which separates the advocates of govern ment paper from the supporters of national banks of issue and the two questions will be settled together Nothing has happened since the election to lessen the real or relative importance of the money ques- tion If the gold standard was bad in 1896, 1t is still bad; if our present financial sys- tenn was un-American and anti-American in 1896 it has not become naturalized since that time.
 In 1896 independent bimetallism was pointed out as the only remedy for the gold standard, and the failure of our monetary commission to secure international bimet- allism strengthens our contention. The senate has recently put itself upon record in favor of that plank of our platform which declares that the silver dollar shall have debt-paying power equal to the gold dollar, and that the government shall not surrender its right to redeem coin ob- legations in either gold or silver, and the house has declared against this proposi- tion. The effort of the secretary of the treasury to secure authority to issue more bonds and his demand for the retirement of the greenbacks are in direct opposition to the positions above stated. Thus it will be seen that events, not free silver agitators, are keeping the money question before the country.
 The evil effects of the gold standard are so apparent that the republican party re- fuses to become sponsor for the system; 1t is so indefensible- that even Secretary Gage, in his recent speech at Philadelphia, took occasion to say that the president is in fa- vor of international bmetallism and has the support of all his cabinet in his effort to secure the cooperation of other na- tions in getting rid of the gold standard
 But while the republican party through the chief executive, still holds out the hope of international bimetalism. none of the party leaders say word in defense of the double standard international. Why not? Because international bmetallism can only be defended on the theory that the existing gold standard is unsatisfac- tory, and the republican leaders know that the republican party has no real intention of abandoning the present gold standard, and they cannot, therefore, afford to say anything which would make the people dis satisfied with it. Neither do they as a rule, say anything in favor of the gold standard, because to do so would at once raise the question: Why. then. is interna- tional bimetallism desirable? Occasionally speaker will be found who will take both sides of the question, as did MT. Gage at Philadelphia. After trying to show that the gold standard had been a great bless n fho 1ahortnQ 6eoJarod to be the intention of the republicans to sub Btitute another system. The question at once arises. if the gold standard has been a blessing to the laboring man, why does not the republican party advocate it's re- tention, rather than its abandonment? In- ternational bimetallism will have exactly the same effect as independent bimetallism in raising prices If a fall in prices is an advantage then rise in prices cannot be desirable; and if, on the other hand, a rise in prices whether obtained through in- dependent bimetallism or through an in- ternational agreement is good. then the fall in prices caused by the gold standard must be admitted to have worked an in- jury The fall in prices, extending over the last twenty-five years has, in fact, been disastrous to the producers of wealth in every gold standard country of the world
 France now desires to abandon the gold standard; the German reichstag declared Tor international -D1metall1Sm In 1S95; the farmers and laboring men of England are now protesting against the gold standard. Can any democrat deny that relief from the gold standard is imperatively needed? Should the democratic party abandon the position 1t has taken on the side of the masses in this worldwide contest?
 The stand taken by the republicans raises the most important question that can con front nation, namely, the right of the people to legislate for themselves. The republican platform is the first platform which ever declared in favor of repeating the Declaration of Independence. That platform expressly transfers from America to Europe the right to determine the finan- cial policy of the United States. Accord ing to that platform the American peo- pie should seek international co-opera- tion in restoring bimetallism, but must maintain the gold standard until that CO., operation is secured. The republican plan is to invite foreign assistance, but while we may invite, European nations are at liberty to refuse the invitation, and they have thus far done so The republican platform, therefore, means that we must have the gold standard as long as Jrrro-