The times., 1898-02-14
MR.. BRYAN ON FUSION.
He Advocates Union of Free Coin
age Forces

in the Congressional elections this
year. The Democratic leader says in
part:
While it is always difficult to secure
harmonious cooperation between dis
tinct and separate political organiZa-
tionS, there are times when tEis co..
operation is both wise and necessary.
In the campaign of 1896 the Democrats.
PopulIsts and silver Republicans united
in demanding the immediate restora-
tion of Independent 'bimetallism at the
existing ratio of Is to 1, and they
agreed In declaring that the money
question was of paramount Importance
at that time.
The question now arises, should
these three political organizations act
together in the Congressional cam
paign OF 1898?
II answer without hesitation Yes.
Those who answer No must assume
the burden of proving first that coop
Grafton 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 it can
be shown that some one party would
have been more successful than the
three combined.
"Co-operation does not contemplate
the abandonment of party organization
or the surrender OF any political prin-
cipleS; nor is cooperation defended on
the ground that the platforms OF the
three parties are identical. Campaigns
generally turn upon a few issues, some-
times upon one. and events do much
to determine which issue shall most
absorb public attention.
IF the Democrats, Populists and sill
yer Republicans were agreed upon but
one question, that question might be
important enough to justify co-opera-
ton, although the parties differed on
all other subjects; but those who ad-
vocate the union of the principal re-
form forces against the common enemy
can point not to one. but to a number
of reforms which are demanded with
equal emphasis by Democrats. Popu-
lists and silver Republicans.
"First-They are unalterably opposed
to gold monometallism.
"Second-They demand the immedi-
ate restoration of bimetaIlism at the
present ratio by the independent action
of this country. ltu
'Third-They oppose the retirement
of the greenbacks. 3,
Fourth - They oppose the issue of
paper money by national banks.
'Fifth-They oppose rthelissue of in
terest-bearing bonds in time of peace.
''Sixth-They favor the income tax az
a means of raising a part of the rev
enue necessary to administer the Fed
eral government.
arf z = he hnfT -
trusts.
'Eighth-Tbey are opposed to gov
ernment by injunction.
"Ninth-They are in favor of arbitra-
tion 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 at the last election. but they
were not settled. and will not be set
tied until they are settled right.
The Republican party is trying to
commit the country more thoroughly 10
the gold standard Even now il is en-
deavoring to secure legislative indOrse-
ment of the policy of paying all coin
obligations in gold. 1t pTetends to
be much concerned about national
honor and the public credit The lead
ers of the party know that the debtor,
whether a public debtor or private
debtor, meets all the requirements OF
the law. moral as well as statutory,
when he discharges his obligations ac-
cording to the terms of the contract. /
They know that all through the war
the Government, and private debtors
as WELL paid coin obligations in gold. !.
gold was worth ; cents on the (
dollar less than silver And yet these I.
leaders would accuse Abraham Lincoln {
of dishonor rather than incur the dis I
pleasure OF the Wall street magnates (
who now control the financial policy of .
the Republican party.
These leaders know that if the Fed
eral Government declares its purpose L
to pay all coin obligations in gold. its
example will be used as an argument
to force gold contracts upon State and
governments, and upon pri-
vate 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 bimetaliSm
should not be restored. = '
IF the Republicans obtain control of
the Senate and House in the elections
Of 1S9S there is no doubt that they will,
by law. surrender the contract right
coin obligations jim silver (of which we
are large producersJ and bind the ma
ton to pay in gold (an appreciating
metal, the production of which is
argely controlled by England).
1.-The Republican party will. if it OBJ
aims control of Congress in 1898, aban- /
ion the system which gives the debtor
he option. and substitute a new sys-
.em. which, first, permits the money
enders to choose, the coin of payment
md, second. allows them TO Increase
he purchasing power of the dollars
which they demand, to the impoverish-
nent of the wealth producers of the
world.
Should those who oppose this finan-
,ial heresy, this child of greed and av-
lrice. fight each other while the Amer
can people are bound with fetters of
,old?
The Administration is clearly COM
nitted to the policy of opposing indie
,endent bimetallism. Should friends of
help the Administration by
lighting each other?
THE Secretary of the Treasury is
planning the retirement of the green
Jacks. Should those who oppose the
etiring of greenbacks help to destroy
hem by fighting each other?
The Administration has recommend
d an enlargement of the privileges and
rofits of national banks of issue.
hould those who oppose national
anks of issue strengthen the banks by
ghting each other?
The Secretary of the Treasury asks
uthority to issue interest bearing
onds. Should those who oppose such /
Onds aid in increasing the interest
caring debt by fighting each other?