The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-08-25
to have a change when they are getting

THAT" said Mr.. Bryan, 'Is based on
the theory that men think in their stom-
achs, and not in their heads, that men
do not study public questions except
when they are starving. A few may re-
fuse to consider these questions save
when pressed by hunger, but the re-
form forces are attempting to apply we'll
settled principles to public questions,
and they cannot be driven by accidental
conditions.
The Republican party cannot claim
credit for the bountiful crops. and it
will hardly claim credit for the famine
in Europe which caused large exporta-
tions Of breadstuffs at an increased
price. The increasing supply of gold
from the Klondike, the importation of
gold to cover trade balances and the
expenditure of $2OO,OOOO 900 of borrowed
money taken in connection with the
large crop has brought temporary ad-
vantage, but instead of strengthening
the gold standard and increasing sup
ply of money proves the quantitative
theory that more money means better
prices. There were variations in the
conditions during the entire period from
1873 to 1896, but the general tendency
was always downward. Each new fall
in prices was lower than before and
each rise was less pronounced"
And now came the question suggested
on the deck of the st. Paul by Mr..
Croker's statement to the Journal.
A S,TrTC,Ly ANrsyN11p
Mr.. Bryan, you are practical man."
1 said. You must see the Importance
of moderating at least the outward
form of the party's position on the money
question. Why would it not be wiser to
stand upon a simple declaration in
favor of the reconciliation of silver,
leaving the ratio to be determined by
congress? Would not that be more ex-
pedient? Would it not instantly re-
unite the Democracy?
Mr.. Bryan did not hesitate a mo-
ment. His voice rang with earnestness.
| mo, you cannot decide public ques-
tions upon the basis of expediency," he
said. "The rule with the party is the
same as with the individual, because
a party is only an aggregation Of indi-
viduals. The question is not what is
expedient, but what is right That
which is right will ultimately triumph,
and that which is wrong will ultimately
fail.
IF the Democratic party does what
is right it can go before the country
and rely upon the justice of it's cause
to win success, either temporary or per-
manent 1 am only one member of the
Democratic party and you cannot tell
what the party VIII do until you know
what a majority of the members Of the
party want.
THINKS THE RATIO RIGHT.
| LAS a member of the party 1 have
said, and still say, that an abandon
ment of the ratio of 16 to 1 would be
equivalent to an abandonment of the
money question, because no free coin
age law can be adopted until ratio has
been agreed upon, and, since the 16 to l
ratio has been agreed upon, an aban-
donment of it would mean either that
the ratio is wrong, or, that although it
| is right, we are afraid to advocate it.
If the ratio is wrong we ought to select
another ratio and stand upon it. 1 do
not believe the ratio to be wrong, neith-
er is the ratio believed to be wrong by
those who made the fight to insert it
into the Democratic platform.
ITO leave out all mention of a ratio
would be to return to the ambiguous
and deceptive phraseology which char
acterized the financial platform of both
the Democratic and Republican parties
for several campaigns.
The men who oppose the ratio of 1G
to have no other ratio to offer. Their
plan is to invite the people to have con-
tidence in the party without the party
taking the people into it's confidence
uncertainty in a platform indicates
either ignorance or cowardice.
IF party does not know what to do.
it should not ask to be trusted with
power.
IF it knows what to do but does not
dare to avow it's purpose, it does not
deserve to be intrusted with power.
MAJORITY WILL DECIDE.
Adhesion to the ratio of 16 to 1 is
not intolerant. 1t is founded upon the
beief that the ratio must be determined
by the majority Of those who favor
blmetalism and not by the majority.
According to some, one man who doubts
our ability to maintain the parity of
silver and gold at the ratio of 16 to 1
ought to have more influence in max
ing the platform than sixteen who be-
lieve in the power of our government to
maintain the present legal ratio
NO man could listen to Mr.. Bryan as
ne said this and have any doubt of the
hopelessness of a change in his attitude
But" said, considering the vast
ness of the stake at issue in the COM
ing struggle for possession of the
national government on the very cross
roads of our history is it wise to reIy