Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1899-07-27
THURSDAY, JULY %. 1899.
"a COLORADO VIEW"

Under the above heading the Richmond
Times, of tie 10Th inst, had anediiorial in
which it referred to the fact that the senti-
ment in favor Of the free coinage of silver
was very strong in Colorado in 1896; but
asserts that there has been great change
in that state upon the financial question.
In support of that view the Times de-
clares that the Denver Republican, which
has been rampant free silver paper, has
become more conservative in its views,
and admits that the vitality of the silver
issue in 1900 will depend very largly upon
the condition of business next Spring.
The Times then says:
"In this same connection we note that
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Van
derlip, who has just returned from a tour
throughout the West, and who spent con-
siderable time on the Pacific coast, says
that silver is dead issue in the West, and
particularly along the Pacific. That
prosperity is everywhere IN evidence, due
to a revival Of all business interests, large
crops and the influx of gold from the
mines on the cost and from Alaska. He
says that there is no longer demand
even from the miners for the free coinage
of silver, for the reason that they have
now turned their attention to the produc-
ton of gold, and find that this yields such
handsome returns that they .have lost
their love for silver and are no longer
worrying about the fate of the white
metal.
whenever anything is said about
abandoning free silver the enthusiasts re-
ply that in 1896 more than 6 100000 votes
were polled for free silver, and they de-
clare that their pet measure is stronger
today than ever before. But they seem
entirely to overlook the fact that in 1896
thousands and thousands of business men
and working men were clamoring for Il
change on the ground that they could not
be worsted. and that their condition
might be improved. They overlook the
fact that "the great army of the unen-
ployed" who we're in favor of Il change in
1896 have now, with but few exceptions,
got a good job anil are quite content to
let well enough alone. They overlook the
fact that large number of business men
who in 1896 were willing TO nlakean eXpe-
riment because business conditions were
wletcitd. are now doing well and are not
willing to take the risk Of the free silver
experiment.
These men are not saying much, but
when the time comes to vote they are
going 10 vote as their interests lie, and if
the Democratic party insists on repeating
the campaign of 1896, it will go down in
disastrous defeat.
"The Denver Republican notes the signs
of the times and reads them we'll"
The Times can very readily SEE the alb
surdity of the claims of the free silverrites
that their pet measure is stronger today
than ever before, but seems unable to
perceive the more complete absurdity of
it's claims about the strength that will be
given the Democratic party in 1900 by a
return to the platform of 1892, which en-
bodies the pet free trade theory Of the
Times.
1t is true that in 1896 thousands and
thousands of business men and working
men were clamoring for change on the
ground that they could not be worsted,
and that their condition might be inn
proved" Was not that clamoring caused
by the results that followed the adoption
of the policy of the Democratic party, as
outlined in its platform Of 1899? Is is not
reasonable to suppose that the business
men who in 1896 were willing to make an
experiment of the free coinage of silver,
because business conditions were wretched,
and who now can see how unfortunate it
would have been for the country if that |
experiment had been tested, can also see
the folly of again experimenting with free
trade. which was tested under the admin
istration of Mr.. Clel Gland, and was pro-
ductive of such wretched business condi-
tions
We take it for granted that these men
are not talking very much now, but when
he time comes to vote in 1900 they will
be certain to vote as their interests
lie; and that will be against free trade as
we'll as free silver. A disaster observed
and realized is much more likely to make
a profound impression upon the intelli-
gent mind than would probable, antici-
pated evil. The Democratic party would
certainly go down in defeat in 1900 if it
should return to the principles of its plat
orm of 1900.
Col. ROBERT G. INeERsoLI, the famous
infdel. died suddenly from apoplexy in |