Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1904-08-02
TIE "GRAND OLD PARTY OF
THE MONEY QUESTION.

Nothing was said about money in
the first Republican platform i'll 1856.
There was nothing said on the sub
iect III the platform of 1860. In 1854
it was declared the duty OF every
loyal state to sustain the credit and
promote the use OF the national cur
rency:' that was all.
Nothing in the platform OF 1868.
In 1872 the only statement is that we
confidently expect that our excellent
national currency will be perfected by
a speedy resumption OF specie pay
ment." The year 1876 was the year
of the Greenback ticket, headed by
Peter Cooper. The Republican plat
form merely declared in favor OF
continuous and steady progress to-
ward specie payment.
The first use OF the word gold" ap
pears in the platform of 1880 1t is
claimed that the Republican party
Has RAISED lHe value Oh our paper
currency from 3S per cent to the par
of gold; it has restored, on solid
obligations Even as late as 1884
the party urges that efforts be made
to unite all commercial nations in the
establishment OF an international
standard which shall fix for all the
relative value of gold and silver coin
age"
In 1883 the bi-metallsm plank read
as follows: The Republican party
is in favor Of the use of both gold and
silver as money. and condemns the
policy of the Democratic (Cleveland)
administration in it's efforts to demon
etize silver.
As late as 1892 the grand old par
ty" declared in favor of bimetallism;
demanded the use of both gold and
silver as standard money. That is to
say, for free and safe coinage of gold
and silver" 1t remained a make
shift" a bait thrown to close silver
states in order to win the election by
opening up to the silver kings the
public treasury.
Republicans in their platform Of
1896 declare that We are opposed to
free coinage of silver except by inter-
national agreement With the leading
nations of the world which we pledge
ourselves to promote. In 1900 after
Mr.. Cleveland had taught them, they
came step further declaring: I'VE
declare our steadfast opposition to the
free and unlimited coinage Of silver.
No measure to that end could be con-
sidered which was without the sup
( port of the leading commercial coun-
tries of the world.' They have grown
| bolder this year, and now declare
I'VE believe il to be the auty OF the
Republican party to uphold the gold
standard and the integrity and value
of the national currency. Not q
word is said this year. for the first
time, about bimetallism or interna
tional agreement with the leading ma
tons of the world, yet the admins
tration continues to keep up a com
mission of distinguished summer
tourists, who, no longer ago than las1
summer, were giving out long adver
tisenients about the disposition o
France to wink at their scheme; the
inclination of both Great Britain ant
Germany to join in the world move
ment for bimetallsm, the work ir
Mexico. etc.
But why go into history or into eX
tensive argument to expose the crook
ed. cowardly and deceitful course an(
vain boasting of the Republican par
ty on the money question? The eX
posure can be made complete in ;
dozen lines. For example, in 1883 i
said The Republican party is il
favor of the use of both gold and silver
as money, and condemns the policy
of the Democratic administration ir