The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1899-12-27
,rhe t4oId Standard.

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firmly fixed upon the country.
Since 1878 it has been practically
fixed and now the job is oonsum-
mated. Bimetallism is no more.
This doctrine which came down to
us from the fathers of the Repub-
lilo has it's knockout blow.
1t is we'll that this job has been
completed by the Republican party.
1t was begun by them twenty-six
years ago. When that first step
towards this final result was taken
only few of the Republicans
themselves knew what it's import
was. Thegreat majority of Repub-
licans who voted for it and passed
it did not know it's full import
This appears from their own con-
LESSONS. President Grant who
signed the bill, making it law, did
not know it's full import. This al
SO appeared from his own confess
ion.
This final consummating act
which degrades silver-one of the
principal products of this country
Ito the level of common metal
has a.good round majority in both
Houses of Congress. Several Dom
oorats voted for it. 1t is curious
to note some of the reasons given.
SibIey of Pennsylvania veted for it
because business is lively. Does
not war always make business live
ly? Two great wars are now raging.
The United States Government has
nearly four times the number of the
regular army when this Republican
came in, now en-
gagged in war of at least question
able justice 1900 miles away by
the quickest route. Great Britain
is engaged in war which calls for
the biggest army she has raised in
centuries. These wars are destroy
ing vast amounts of property.
They are taking great numbers of
men from the various fields of in
dustry. War always makes bust
ness lively. That is in accordance
with all history from its beginning.
They make the rich richer by leaps
and bounds. Every thing huns.
But the reaction Railways comes.
Perhaps some of these Democrats
who have gone over to the Repub-
Leans on this financial question
may live to see that they have made
a mistake-that the revival of bus
mess which they thought was due
to the silver or gold question had
another cause altogether.
There is another consideration.
It is remotely possible that some of
these gentlemen had become a lit
tie tired of marching with the Dem
oorats. There is so much more
wealth and gold lace and fulI-dress
parade on the other side. The
Democrats are only "mudsills' any
how. That is an epithet bestowed
upon them three quarters of cen
fury ago. A name, also, which
they were proud Of For the Dem
ocratio party does include the mud
sill-the very foundation and cor
ner stone of the Republio; party
which believes in the sovereignty
of the people; party which holds
that the Office holders of this Re-
public are the servants of the peo-
pie and not the masters of the peo-
pie. 1t is barely possible, we say,
that some of our friends who voted
with the Republicans last Monday
in the House on this financial bill
have got little tired of this old
fashioned party whose principles
never change. 1t is to be hoped
that this is not the case, but even
if it is it will occasion no change
of Democratic principles. Should
any of our friends conclude to stay
in the camp of the enemy where
they now find themselves we wish
them much joy. The right of every
man to change his coat, or turn it,
cannot be questioned. There are
always pleasant features associated
with the going over to the winning
side. Even if this proves to be the
case the Democratic party will con-
tinue to do business at the old
stand and in accordance with the
old principles
There are already signs that the
adoption of the gold standard in
this country is a grave mistake. 1t
is doubtless good for the mon who
trade in money to be able to corner