The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-18


usual exciting Sunday meetings of the
idle workingmen, and, altogether, the
situation affords every indication that
the crisis is approaching climax.
The Democratic Platform of 1892.
What the Democratic platform of
1892 contained upon the coinage Ques-
ton is now ancient history SO rapii has
been the onward march of political
events. Not only is it ancient in
chronological sense, but the subject
with which 1t deals has ceased to be
a living political issue, and can never
be resurrected unless if be under con-
ditions which are not likely to occur
within the life of the present genera
ton. But even ancient history should
be fairly and candidly dealt with, both
for the sake of the truth itself and be-
cause it tends to clear up the present
points Indifference between the so-call-
ed gold and silver wings of the Demo-
cratic party.
First, II is well to understand that
prior to 1892 the Democratic party had
never in its national platforms made
and directly upon the question of sill
yer coinage 1t had contented itself
with general expressions favoring the
constitutional money of the country,
which, as everyone ought to know, con-
sisted of gold and silver with no limita
tons upon the coinage of either. The
Constitution itself does not actually
provide for the coinage of either metal.
1t simply recognizes both, and the first
coinage law enacted in pursuance Of
that instrument provided for their un-
restricted coinage. There never was
any direct question upon this point I'M
I'll the issue was sqUarely made in 1896.
But after the decentralization of sill
yer in 1873. both parties, in a general
way. assumed that such action had
been a mistake, and that in some prop
er manner the country's finances should
be brought back to a bimetallic basis.
Whenever the question came up in Con-
gress, a large segment of both parties
took the position that the proper way
was TO reopen the minis to silver at the
ratio of sixteen ounces Of silver to one
ounce of gold which had been the legal
relation since 1884. Upon an average
about eighty five per cent of the Dem
orsts in Congress had consistently
voted for that proposition.
Thus the matter stood until 1892, when
Mr.. Cleveland was nominated for a
third time. What then was the plat
form declaration? First, we have the
following:
eve hold to the use of both gold and silver
q the standard money Of the country and TO
the coinage Of both gold and silver without dis
elimination agsins; either metal charge tor
mintage."
Standing by itself, that could mean
but one thing. namely, that both metals
should be coined without limitation and
without charge But it does not stand
eione. Immediately following it comes
this statement:
But the dollar unit of coinage of both metals
must be OF equal intrinsic and eachangesbe
value, be adjusted through international agree
ment or by such safeguards Of legislation shall
ensure the maintenance OF the parity of the two
metals and the equal power Of every dollar al
all times in the markets and In the payment
Of debt; and we demand that all paper currency
shall lie kept at par with and redeemsbie in such
coin. We insist upon this policy especially
necessary for the protection Of the farmers and
lzboring classes, the FIRST and most defenceIess
victims Of unstable money and ructuating cur
rency."
1t viii be conceded at once that this
passage is intended TO modify the one
first quoted. The question then Is, What
do the two passages mean when con-
strued together?
1t is a fundamental rule of law that
all parts of a document shall be con-
strued together, and. if possible, In
such manner that both may be made
operative. That is to say. one should
not be allowed to nullify the other nor
should they be so interpreted that they
mutually destroy each other. Applying
this rule, the gold standard Democrats
We're left with absolutely nothing in
support of their position. The oily
way they can sustain themselves is
by giving the second passage an inter
probation that will utterly destroy the
first. This is wholly ipadnissible either
In lew or in plain common sense under
standing. The first clause, in fact, was
the primary proposition; the second
merely explained that In using the two
metals as standard money. It should be
done In such a way that the gold dol
lar and the silver dollar should be of
equal value. BY no possible distortion
and scarcely by a perversion of iaa-