New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-23
DANGER OF OVERCoNFIDENCE.
SENATOR sEwELL ON THE NECESSITY OBJ
BEING WIDE AWAKE TO PRESERVE
THE GOLD STANDARD.
10 the Editor of The Tribune

THE GOLD STANDARD
To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: There should be no question regarding the
gold standard. 1t is plain and simple PROPOSE
ton. concerning which need go wrong,
and in results it is practical and far reaching
that every material interest is affected and bene-
flied by II. It's wholesome and happy influence has
reached the home of the farmer. the artisan the
laborer. the clerk. the merchant, and all those
who buy and sell, make contracts earn wages
or engage in business transactions. Prosperity
to be permanent must be based upon It, A
huctuating basis such silver would give us
would cause uncertainty, and uncertainty is the
thing in this life that gives much trouble.
Like the house buided upon a rock, all our
financial dealings. when governed by the gold
standard are characterized by a stability that
begets confidence. and confidence is the key that
unlocks the doors of wealth and causes the
golden stream to flow in all directions creating
general prosperity.
While adversely and poverty may IN the eyes
Of some philosophers be necessary correctives,
while sackcloth and ashes may commend them
selves as wholesome and beneficial, I doubt II
our people desire a repetition OF the disastrous
period prior to the present Administration, when
Democratic policy was harvesting its fruits. I
should think that such a lesson sufficient at
least for generation to come. A little calm
reflection, a little calling to memory of those
sombre days viii show the people that their
true interests lie in the continuation Of that
party which has made them to rejoice in a pros
perity that has never before been eQualled, that
has brought about the adoption Of the gold
standard. and whose policy is now laying the
foundation for so vast a greatness for this coun-
try that in the near future even our present
prosperity viii be materially Increased.
The ease and comfort have enjoyed as the
fruits Of Republican policy for the last two or
three years are apt to make US a little careless
OVerCOnfdent politics. We
almost take il for granted that none would
be foolish az to disregard his true interests
ana vote for a change OF Administration that
would JeopardZe them We cannot afford to take
this view, but must be wide awake to the issues
that are now presented. Matters will not take
care OF themselves. While IT is true that a large
number of Democrats believe In g. gold standard
yet 1t is also true that IT, through the indiffer-
ence ana lack Of zeal OF the Republicans the
Democratic party should succeed its policy will
be shaped by the majority. which will mean free
silver. with all the dire consequences unsettlipp
of values, and disastrous effects uDon our busi
ness interests from one end Of the land to the
other.
thlng, and only that should be adopted which
VIII best serve the purpose. The consensus Of
OPINION among civilized peoples, including ours
Is IN faVor or gold. Having adopted this stand
ard; having given confidence to all nations
that our finances would be based upon it. and
go IhFlted theTn TO deal with us the full assur-
ance OF this stability: having given an adaman-
the strength and vigOr to our own business in
terests' thereby laying a true and safe founda-
ton for general and permanent prosperity we
are confronted by the danger of overturning ali
thls by the placing Of the Democratic party
again In power. Can afford in view of our
great territorial expansion and prospective de-
NeIopment OF the resources of this country
"hich VIII give wealth, comfort, employment
ana happiness TO all our people, to intrllst the
relns or power to those who would drive US to
me ditch and renew those sad periods of fnan-
clal distress that the Democratic party has here
tofore brought upon US?
Let US commune with each other Let us Law
ae our indifference and grid ourselves for the
x II, u hNE-f11
dIloh OF those blessings and that prosperity we
now enjoy, or the loss Of them. Which shall we
nave! Now is the time to decide not when roo
-aC C 10 90 SO. W. j. SEWELI.