The record-union., 1898-01-28

enterprise to unite the two oceans with
the great canal. 1t can do all these
things, and ought to do them, but with
all this accomplished the result VIII
still be Intellectual unless supplemental
by energy, enterprise and industry of
the people. 1t is they that must build
and operate the factories, furnish ships
and cargoes for the canal and the riv-
ers and the seas. 1t is they who must
find the consumers and obtain trade by
going forth to win Il.
Much profitable trade is still unen-
joyed by our people, because of their
present insufficient facilities for reach
ing desirable markets. Much of it is
lost because of a lack of information
and ignorance of the conditions and
needs of other nations We must know
just what other people want before we
can supply their wants. We must I'M
derstand exactly how to reach them
with least expense, if we would enter
into the most advantageous business
relations with them. The ship requires
shippers; but the shipper must have
assured promise that his goods will
have sale when they reach their desti-
nation. 1t is a good rule, if buyers will
not come TO US, for us to go to them. 1t
is our duty to make American enter
prise and industrial ambition as we'll
as achievement, terms of respect and
praise, not only at home, but among
the family of nations the world over.
There is another duty resting upon
the National Government-'to coin mon
ey and regulate the value thereof This
duty requires that our Government
shall regulate the value of its money
by the highest standards Of CONNER
cial honesty and national honor. The
money of the United States is, and must
forever be, unquestioned and unassail-
able. If doubts remain, they must be
removed. If weak places are disc0v-
cred, they must be strengthened Moth
ing should ever tempt us-nothing ever
will tempt us-to scale down the sacred
debt of the nation through q legal tech
nicality. Whatever may be the Ian
guage of the contract, the United
States Will discharge all its obligations
in the currency recognized as the best
throughout the civilized world at the
time of payment. Nor will we ever
consent that the wages Of labor or It's
frugal savings be scaled down, by per-
mitting payment in dollars of less value
than the dollars accepted as the best in
every enlightened nation of the earth.
Under existing conditions, our citi-
zens cannot be excused if they do not
redouble their efforts to secure such
financial legislation as Will place their
honorable intentions beyond dispute. All
those who represent, as you do, the
great conservative and progressive bus
mess interests Of the country, owe it
not only to themselves, but to the peo-
pie, to insist upon the settlement Of
this great question now, or else To face
the alternative that it must be again
submitted for arbitration at the polls.
This is our plain duty to more than
seven million voters, who fifteen
months ago, won a great political bat
tie on the issue, among others, that the
United States Government would not
permit a doubt to exist anywhere con-
cerning the stability and integrity of its
currency or the inviolability of its OBJ
legations 0f every kind. This is my
Interpretation of that victory. What
Sever effort, therefore lis required to
make the settlement of this vital ques-
ton clear and conclusive for all time,
we are bound in good conscience to un-
dertake, and If possible realize. That
is our commission-our present char
ter from the people.
1T will not suffice for citizens nova
days to say simply that they are in ia
vor Of sound money. That is not
enough The peoples purpose must be
given the vitality of public law Bet
ter an honest effort with failure than
81
ing a duty.
The difficulties in the path of sat
isfactory reform are, it must be ad-
mitted, neither few IN numbers or slight
in degree, but progress cannot fail 10
be made with a fair and thorough trial.
An honest attempt viii be the best
proof of sincerity of purpose. Discus
sion cannot hurt; it Will only help the
cause. Let us have full and free dis
cussion. We are the last to avoid or
evade it. Intelligent discussion VIII
strengthen the Indifferent and ehcou7-
age the friends Of stable system of
finance.
Half-heartedpess never won a battle
Nations and parties without abiding
principles and stern resolution to en-
force them, even if 1t costs d continu-
Gus struggle to do SO, and temporary
sacrifices. are never in the highest de-
gree successful leaders in the progress
of mankind For us TO attempt moth
ing in the face of the present fallacies
and the constant effort to spread them
is to lose valuable ground already Won,
and practically weaken the forces IF
sound money for their battles of the
future
The financial plank of the st. Louis
platform is still as commanding upon
Republicans and those who served
with them in the last campaign as on
the day ii was adopted and promul-
gated. Happily. the tariff part of the
platform has already been engrafte1
into public statute. But that otheT
plank, not already builded into our
Constitution. is binding force upon us.
What is it?
The Eepublican party is unreserved-
ly for sound money. 1t caused the en-
aetmeut of the law providing for the
resumption of specie payments in 1879
Since tneE every dollar has been as
good as sold. We are unalterably op-
posed TO every measure calculated 10
debase our currency or impair the
credit of cur country. We are there
fore opposed 10 the free coinage of sill
yer. except by international agreement
with the leading commercial nations of
the world, which we pledge ourselves
10 promote. and until such agreement
can be obtained the existing gold stand
ard lauSt be preserved. All our silver
and paper currency must be maintain
ed at q rarity with gold and we favor.
all measures designed to maintain in
Yiolabiy the obligations of the United
states and ali our money. whether coin