What were the arguments for free silver and against it?

Proponents of free silver argued that increasing the money supply by allowing the free coinage of silver would help alleviate economic hardships, particularly for farmers and debtors, by raising prices and making debts easier to repay. They believed it would stimulate the economy and provide a more equitable financial system. Conversely, opponents argued that free silver would lead to inflation, destabilize the economy, and undermine the gold standard, which they viewed as essential for maintaining financial stability and international credibility. They feared that such a policy would ultimately harm the economy by eroding trust in the currency.