New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-11-03
Mr.. BRYAN AND FREE SILVER.
ne Editor of The Tribune


Sir: Is it not well for those citizens who with
light hearts and careless minds propose to cast
their votes for Mr.. Bryan deliberately to consider
the peris of ntrustng to him the reins of govern
ment? Mr.. Bryan declared about a year ago that
his views regarding silver coinage were unchanged.
Let review THE Life and Speeches Of William J.
Bryan" by the j. S. Ogilve Publishing Company.
in 1896. In Congress. November I. 1894 Mr.. Bryan,
opposing the unconditional repeal of the Sherman
coinage law. said:
Just so long as there are people here who would
eternal war; and it might just as we'll be known
now.
Also when the vote taken:
You think that you have buried the cause Of
you have laid the free coina ge silver away in
sepuchre and before the door rolled the veto stone
your labor has been In vain: tomb ever
made strong that it could imprison a righteous
Silver vii! yet rise, and in its rising and its
reign will bless mankind.
In favor OF coming the selgniorage February q.
1894:
Most Of those who ara OPPOSED to this bill favor
the gold standard We must choose between BIZ
metallism and gold monometallsm.
Regarding the bill for purchase Of silver and is
sue of bonds Mr. Bryan. in opposition, said:
These, bonds are not needed1ou obligations do
not call for gold, but for coin Shall we issue
bonds and buy gold when the silver lies idle in the
vaults?
In regard to the International Money Conference
Mr.. Dingey said
81 understand the gentleman to say that he Is in
favor of the free coinage of silver by this coun-
try q ratio of Is to L.
Mr.. Bryan-Yes, sir
Mr.. Dingley-FIow does the gentleman believe
that it will result in bimetallism?
Mr. Bryan-Because believe that this country Is
great enough to maintain the parity between the
two metals at the ratio of 16 to /.
Mr.. Dingley-By buying silver ut S1.29 ounce
when it is only worth 63 cents in the MARKET
Mr. Bryan-We do not want TO buy silver. We
want open the minis to silver, as the minis are
now open to gold
February and T. 1885, to the bill 10 authorize is
sue of bonds for purchase of gold for the redenp
ton fund Mr.. Bryan offered amendment:
That all bonds Of the United States issued or au-
thorized to be hereafter issued are payable princi
pal and interest, at the option OF the government
age of the United States containing 412h grains
each of standard silver ETC.
The ayes seemed TO have 1t. but on division of
House there were ayes 1ls, noes 1S, and it was
lost.
OF this he said in a speech Febr' .&ry A. 1895:
offered an amendment to the Reed substitute.
declaring all coin bonds payable IN gold or silver,
and yet l think only thirteen Republicans voted
for my amendment
Acceptance of nomination speech In New YORK
August Il, 1885,
There can be no sympathy cooperation be-
tween the advocates of a universal gold standard
and the advocates OF blTetalllSIn. Between DHlet,
ailism whether Independent international, and
The gold standard there is an impossible gulf
The Chicago platform of 1896 reads:
We are opposed to surrendering TO the holders OF
the obligations the United States the option OF
radeeming such obligations in either silver coin or
cold coin We contend that free and unlimited
Coinage by the United States alone will raise the
yaIre o silver to its coinage value, and thus make
silver bullion worth SL2 per ounce in gold
R % refecfion upon our sister republic to
mind our people lat the United states Is much Ip1
AJav
tL T-ritad states is not able 70 do anything
Witch Mexico has failed to accomplish
80 in favor of the immediate restoration
~ bT1etsuisrn the system can be inaugurated
within q few months
Now thoughtful Democrats will not vote for Mr..
-, others may not merely for change. vote
tnr Mr. BRYAN without becom;nS responsible for
he national dshonOr and suicide which may en-
sue W." -. 90 1ens HENRY w. PEABODY.