The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-26
The Only Way to Do 1t.

individuals and newspapers formerly af-
hiiated with the Democratic party that they
are anxious to save tho credit and the busi-
ness Of this country from tho further dis
turbance OF. Democratic campaign con-
Quoted next year for the overthrow Of the
existing single gold standard. They are
proceeding on an utterly false and vicious
assumption, however, in arguing that that
catastrophe can be prevented by any other
political agency than the Democratic party
itself.
It cannot be prevented by any legislation
possible to the Republican party in Con-
Gress-a narrow majority, at best. It is
possible only II the Democrats unite with
the Republicans in the Congress which
meets on the first Of next December,
on o common reaf1lrmation OF the single
gold standard OF the Act OF February
~, 1e78-making the gold dollar Eat
che standard weight Of twenty-five and
eighth-tenth grains" "the unit Of value" II
that should be done, the silver issue would
be eliminated from the canvass OF next year,
for tho attitude Of tho Democratic party az
by the record on 1t OF the Democratic mi
nority in the next Congress, and it can be
got rid OF In no other way.
That Ia, the silver issue can be removed
from the canvass Of next year only by the
acceptance and postivesupport OF the gold
standard by the Democratic party. II that
10 done the menace to the reputation and
prosperity OF this country OF campaign
next year by one OF the great parties for
the overthrow Of the single gold standard
will be averted, and it can not be averted
otherwise. 1t is idle to beat about the bush
by suggesting any expedients Of purely
Republican legislation previous to the
campaign. They would only tend to ag-
aravate the evil by making still moro GER
tain the introduction Of the silver Issue.
Every reasonable mind must accept the
conclusion as we haveput it, andlong before
the election OF next year II will be thus
accepted. It is a question altogether out
side Of the range OF ordinary political
strategy. 1t concerns the honor and pros
perity Of the American nation and every
citizen OF 1t, and it must accordingly be
met honestly and squarely, face to face
without attempt at evasion or any doubt as
TO the relative position Of the two contend
Ing parties. The issue Is: Shall the single
gold standard now established by law be
Of the silver Standard Whatever other
Issues there may arise next year, this must
be settled; It Is essential to the credit Of
the country that 1t should be settled.
1t could be decided before the campaign
Of 1900, and the issue removed from peril
GUS popular debate. but only in ono way
BY the support of the single gold standard
by the representatives Of the Democratic
party In the next Congress, and by the
delegates to the National Convention Of the
Democracy next year. II both parties
should come out positively in favor of the
Of that standard, all fear Of
danger from the currency issue would be
at once; but II either refuses to
make such declaration it will be upon US
and 1t cannot be averted and it must be-
come the great issue Of the campaign Of
1900 as it was Of the campaign Of 1896.
What, then, Is the only course open to the
advocates Of the gold standard who have
been associated with the Democratic party
and desire to remain in allegiance to 1t?
It Is to bring all their influence to bear on
that party to induce it to favor the main
tenanoe Of the single gold standard; failing
to accomplish that purpose. they must, as
honest men. as sensible men, turn to, with
all their strength. and beat it at the
election. 1t Is childish for anybody to
pretend that the Republican party can pre-
vent the issue. 80 long as the Democratic
party Is determined to make 1t and the Dem
ooratio representatives in Congress refuse
TO lend assistance or countenance to any
legislation to maintain the gold standard.
This Is not matter about which there
can be any political subterfuge or false pre-
tence. 1t is too vital for that; it comes
home too close to the individual interests
OF every voter. II men believe that the
single gold standard Is essential to the
maintenance Of the value Of their property,
and to save their business from wreck and
ruin. they are not going to vote for any
party next year that does not come out
nAtly for the preservation Of the gold stand
ard. The continuance Of that standard de-
ponds wholly on the popular will; its man
date can upset any legislation OF the next
or OF any past Congress on the subject.
Accordingly. as we have said before, so
essential Is 1t to national prosperity that
this question Of monetary standard should
be decided finally next year In square
contest between gold and silver, that
such contest is as desirable as it Is newt
able. No strategy employed by either
party, however artful, can avoid 1t. We say
that the decision will be final for we believe
that Democratic effort to overthrow the
single gold standard will again be beaten.
and being thus beaten will be removed
finally as n vain object OF Democratic
pursuit.
Nor Is there any other practical way of
getting rid Of the menace OF tho issue.
Democrats convinced Of the vital necessity
OF the gold standard who are hoping to
accomplish Its maintenance in any other
way than by serving notice on the Demo-
cratic party that their support depends on
chat party's coming out positively in its
defence are only deluding themselves and
their followers and inviting peril for
every property and business interest OF
the American people,