The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-23
II This Be Treason. Make the Most
OF It.

II This Be Treason. Make the Most
OF II.
Senator Jones has outlined, no doubt
accurately. the probable Democratic
platform for next year. 1t will reafirm
the Chicago platform of 1896. and all
else is unimportant. The tail may go
with the hide. 1t will declare against
imperialism thing unknown to the
policy Of any party in this country at
any time. It will urge the regulation
Of trusts. which also 10 not matter in
controversy. Everybody will favor
such regulation, unless the memorable
laws of trade shall by that time have
regulated most Of the trusts out Of ex-
istence; contamination which current
events show to be by no means UNI
likely. It will "denounce" the use Of
money to control elections; and 1t can
get valuable pointers on that subject
from Mr.. John n. Mclean, who knows
all about 1t from his recent attempt to
capture Ohio with the aid Of his mil
lions, and Is not unlikely candidate
for the vice presidency ON the Bryan
ticket. Aside from these features, the
platform will be a negative one.
A. Senator Jones indicates, the Demo-
Gratis will roar vigorously against the
currency BILL He says that 1t will
"force the Republicans to explain what
is on its face q stroke OF treason against
the announcement of the St Louis
platform" Let US see about that Has
the Republican party been untrue to it,
declarations in 1896? Here IL the cur
rency plank adopted by the St Louis
convention; one Of the wisest and most
courageous acts OF any political party,
considering the state Of public opinion
and the lack Of education on financial
questions prevailing at the time:
1.-THE Republican party is unreservedly
for sound money. 1t caused the enactment
of the law providing for the resumption
of specie payments in 1879; since then
every dollar has been as good as gold We
are unalterably opposed to every measure
calculated to debase our currency or i'm
pair the credit of our country. We are
therefore opposed to the free coinage Of
silver except by International agreement
with the leading commercial nations of the
world. which we pledge, ourselves to pro-
mote. and until such agreement can be
obtained the existing gold standard must
be preserved. All our silver and paper
currency must be maintained at parity
with gold. and we favor all measures de-
signed to maintain inviolably the obliga-
lions of the United States. and all our
money, whether coin Or paper, at the pres
ent standard. the standard of the most en-
lightened nations of the EARTH"
This is the whole Of the financial
plank adopted by the st. Louis conven-
ton. Senator Jones or any other DEM
ocrat is invited to point out anything in
the currency bill as 1t passed the house
that is out Of harmony with 1t. The
administration made q sincere effort,
exerting its proper powers to their full
scope, to bring about an International
agreement on the use Of silver. AS the
members Of the commission have stated
and as the public knows, this was found
impracticable by reason OF the attitude
of the nations Of Europe. The curren-
cy bill maintains the gold standard, and
defines a policy whose purpose and eff
feet are to maintain the parity of all
our forms of currency with gold, 1.-THE
standard Of the most enlightened ma
lions of the EARTH The legislation Of
1899 Ii a magnificent fulfilment Of the
promises Of 1895. We challenge the op-
position to show falsity or failure to
perform. Here stands the party rec
ord. ''If this be treason. make the
most Of It,"