The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-31
SILVER QUESTION
STILL A MENACE
-Ex-President Harrison
on the Subject.
WARNS THE INDIANA VOTERS
DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS MEANS
DISASTER.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

INDIANAPOLIS. Oct. 30.-Chairman
Hernley of the Republican State Cen
trail Committee recently invited eX-
President Harrison to take part in the
campaign. The ex-President has sent
Mr.. Hernley letter saying that i'm
portant legal business will occupy his
time for several weeks. He discusses
national questions as follows:
In New York, where was recently, the
Democratic party has pushed aside the
free silver question and is making q
campaign upon the theory that national
issues, and especially the free silver ques-
ton, are not involved. In Indiana the
case is quite different. The Democratic
party here has affirmed with emphasis
the Chicago platform of 1896, and in our
own district l understand the Democratic
candidate for Congress is strongly urg-
ing upon the people the issue of free sill
yer coinage at the ratio Of 16 to 1. Now
whatever may be the case in New York,
here a Democratic success would dis
tinctly set forward and strengthen the
propaganda for free silver coinage. In
New York many gold Democrats who
affiliated with the Republican party in
1895 are saying that the silver. issue is
not involved, but men of that faith GER
tainly cannot say SO in Indiana.
1t seems to me that it would be a dis
tinct setback for the cause of honest
money and distinct injury to the State
of Indiana if, in year SO prosperous as
this, a majority of our people should
vote for the free coinage of silver. Hon
est money Democrats who have hoped
that the issue might not meet them again
in Democratic national convention, will
help to make its appearance there GER
tain if they aid in securing a Democratic
victory in Indiana this year.
The apparent settlement of that issue
in 1896 contributed immensely to bring
the prosperity which we now enjoy, to
give confidence to capital, and to secure
work and wages in good money to the
workingman. These classes were awake
then to the vital Importance of this issue
and responded with an Overwhelming
negative. 1t would be an unpleasant
thing to contemplate If, while In the en-
joyment of the fruits of that victory, any
of those who supported the cause OF
sound money in 1896 should nows either
from lethargy or pique, or through the
influence of minor questions, be led either
actively or passively to give their aid
to the revival and perpetuation of this
disturbing influence.
I I cannot understand why any Republi-
ence or votes from the Republican ticket.
Small differences as to the details of adj
ministration and smaller differences grow
ing out of personal disappointments
should be put utterly aside.
Another consideration, l think, should
strongly influence the voters of the State.
The nation went into war with Spain
supported by the moral sentiment of the
great majority of our people of all parties.
1t was felt that as to Cuba there was a
distinct call upon the united states to IN
terpose for the ending of Spanish cruelties
and disagreement there. The firing
lines have been withdrawn and our ships
are largely in our own harbors after
achieving on land and sea victories that
have given increased fame to American
arms; but our foreign relations are still
acute and unsettled, and the appeal to
which the response was so generous and
non-partisan at the beginning Of the war,
to stand by our own country and its exec
utive and administrative officers, should
be felt and responded to. Our election re-
suits should not give, or even seem to
give encouragement to those who would
find in our discords and divided counsels
their advantage. Our British cousins
have y good habit of standing by when
their nation is conducting delicate and ir-
rittating foreign qestions Very truly
yours, BENJAMIN HARRISON