The times., 1898-02-17
The Fiist Gun for 1898

What truly may be called the first
gun i'm the political battle OF 'sS, was
fired ON Tuesday by a battery consist
ing of the Democratic, Silver Repub-
lican. and Populist national commit
tees, in the form of addresses to the
American people. While differing in
text and details. all three documents
present to the nation in terse vigorous.
and convincing language. the present
vital necessity for practical union
among all organizations and citizens,
opposed TO the single gold standard.
1t is certain that never before in the
history of national politics have the
distinct ard separate utterances of
three parties. differing from each other
on minor issues breathed like these
the faith and spirit of a common pur-
pose To sink all differences ambitions,
and pTejudices. and create a real and
substantial union If The people against
their oppressers.
In each Of these state papers the
evidence is clear that all patriotic ele-
mcnts OF our citizenship have become
convinced that only in fight 10 the
death on the issue of bimetSllism, ig
norins all others, can the redemption
of the country and a return of pros
peTity be secured.
In the Democratic address, Chairman
Jones. Of the Democratic National Com
mittee. declares that the surrender of
the Republican party to the advocates
of the gold standard is complete. He
recitcs the violation Of the st. Louis
platform by the Administration, called
To power upon the solemn pledge of the
Republican national convention to pro-
mot,. bimetallism." but which is now
before Congress with a bill. the leading
purpose # which The Secretary of the
Treasury admits To be; ITO commit
the country more thoroughly to the
gold standard"
Tht. address cDitomizes the decadsnce
Of prosperity under the conditions inn
posed by the present financial regime.
and says: The country has already,
for tHenty-four years. been so thor
oUghiy committed t9 the gold standard,
rarity by law and partly by the usur-
pations Of the Executive branch of
Allt 'fftf 'I iEi''"lttr NtisAA iA@ tAAt'AS stlN
seen ou every hand; wages are re-
duccd work Is harder to get; the
weight 81 debt is doubled: the value
IL iand and other property is reduced
"nc-hair 30 more. until the lives of
The people are made bitter with hard
bondage. Chairman Jones discusses
and dsnounoes current attempts to- de-
stroy thu sreenbackS and to transfer
The money issuing power Of the Gov
eminent la the banks:
The issue is i"iued: we cannot avoid it
II We would Either the friends of hi
mctaliism. ar the advocates OF the gold
standard trusts and monopolieS must
succeed Who * not for Us IS against us.
We are asking no man to abandon his
party or change his politics; we ask no
one to yield any principle; but in this
great contest we do appeal to all good
men TO stand s"lidly together for liberty
ard humanity. and strike down forever
this conspiracy OF gold and monopoly.
The Silver Republican and Populist
manifestoes are equally urgent in the
direction of an effective combination
against the common enemy. Where
there is such harmony and fraternity
apparent among the leaders, there is
every reason. to hope that the rank
and file of the several organizations
will be brought To present a solid front
in November.