Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-04
Mr, Schurx to Mr.. Gage.

Carl Schurz makes light in an imperialis-
tic way of the views recently expressed III
The Star by Secretary Gage on the subject
If possible silver payments by the treas
,,rv Department in the event of Mr.. Bryan's
election IL Mr.. Gage is right, he says, II
will be easily within the power OF the re-
publican party to block any such game In
control as Il Is of both houses OF Congress
and of the presidency, 1t need only pass
law at the coming session giving the gov
ernments creditors the option OF receiving
their money in gold or silver, and the whole
matter is remedied. Creditors Will then
demand gold and the government Will be
obliged to pay gold.
Does Mr.. Schurz think that bill Ike
this would properly follow a decision at
the polls in favor of the free coinage of sill
yer at 10 to 1 without the aid or consent OF
any other nation? Would the republican
party he justified in attempting to legislate
thus against the plain wishes of the people
As expressed at the polls? For the election
of Mr. BRYAN and of a House of Represen-
tatiyes in agreement with him would be dis
tinctly a triumph OF free silver. Imperial
ism except with a few men like MI
Schurz Is but a DOGGY. If Mr. Bryan and
his party are voted in it will be upon the
Chicago platform reaffirmed at Kansas
City; and the silver plank in that platform
is the essence of it. in Mr.. Bryans opinion
Should the republican party, after defeat at
the polls. attempt in It's dying days OF
power to strike at silver, as suggested by
Mr. Schurz when silver had just registered
a victory at the ballot box and the party
of silver was on the eve of taking office?
But suppose the attempt made-the bill
introduced. What would be its chances OF
passage? 1t might be put through the
House under a special order. but 1t would
stick fast in the Senate. 1t would arouse
the silver men there in a way that would
give them all the advantages OF the rules
of that body. No previous question exists
In the Senate. Debate may be prolonged
by a few determined men indefinitely. And
the long distance takers there are all on
the silver side Mr. Allen of Nebraska
alone could. and would talk fourteen hours
a day for forty days without serious phys
ical inconvenience In contest against
such a measure Moreover. the time of the
short session is limited. and is never much
more than sufficient to pass the supply
bills They are entitled to. and must have
the right of way. 1t is money that makes
the government. "a well as the mare. go.
No. Mr.. Schurz begs the question. He
is trying to shut his eyes to the fact that
Mr.. Bryan IS at the head of the party OF
silver and that his election will be tri-
umph for silver. But the country Is not
blind The one party stands for the gold
standard and its maintenance by every
legitimate means in its power. The other
party stands for free silver. and for the
overthrow of the gold standard by every
legitimate means, legislative or executive
H. its power. vote for the one party
therefore. is a vote for the gold standard
and vote for the other vote to invest
with power those who are committed in
every way to its embarrassment and final
destruction.