People's Pilot, Volume 6, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 October 1896 — BENATOR HILL IN 1893. [ARTICLE]

BENATOR HILL IN 1893.

He Dceiaxed For Free Silver and Raid It Should Be the Itieue In 180 U. On July 18, 1893, Senator Hill, in a letter to The Constitution, announced that tno Democrats must make free coinage tho issue for the presidential campaign of 1896. Tho letter was personal and hence was not published at the time it was written. About a year ago, however, Senator Hill authorized its publication, and so general has been the demand for it cf lute that The Constitution herewith produces that part of it relating to the currency question. Senator Hill’s advice has been taken by tho Democratic party. This is what be wfote: i As to tho repeal ot tho Sherman law, I favor the unconditional repeal of tho law. J have always boon opposed to it. It should be aban'loned by general consent. My views were partially expressed in n>y recent Tammany letter, which you have undoubtedly seen. Personally I should prefer not to repeal the law until an acceptable suustitute was provided, in order to render more probable the adoption of such substitute and not because I approve at ail of the Sherman silver iuw. But from a party point of view tho wisest course is unconditional repeal. The country expects it, and tho party will be found fairly well united in favor of it. Therefore it is unwise, while agreeing upon tho general proposition, to waste our time in agreeing upon a substitute pending the repeal. Let the repeal be made at once, and let us differ as to other financial matters afterward. lam in favor of bimetallism as tho issue of the future. We should seek to keep that issue to the front. We should not strive for temporary success or compromise. Wo should be for free coixiago under an international agreement, if it be possible to procure one, and, if not possible, then for independent bimetallism. This is the great goal for which wo should strive. It cannot be done at once. Our friends must not be impatient. The people must be educated. The unexpected action of India and the general sentiment of the moneyed classes conspire against us at .this time. I do not believe in the Bland bill or any other measure which guarantees anything less than an unrestricted coinage for gold and silver alike, as pledged in the Democratic national platform. Let us prepare not for present victory, but for victory upon that issue in 1826. The repeal of the Bherman law will not give the relief which is anticipated. It will aid business temporarily, but in u year times will be hard, and tho demand for permanent financial relief will be irresistible. We should continue to hold out free coinage as tho goal which the country must ultimately reach. The triumph of the monometallistswill bo but temporary. David B. Hm. Albany, July 13. 1868.