The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1893-10-31

Congress. II that be true, how and
when was the majority obtained ? How
ala the Senate and House stand when
they were elected, and how were they
expected to stand by their pledges? I?
| How did the Senate and House stand
when President Cleveland was inau-
| gurated? How did the Senate and
House stand when Congress met in ex-
ira session, and before they received
the Presidents message? Oh, that I
had the power of having those ques-
tions investigated and answered. I do
not believe l can be mistaken in the
fact that when the Senate and House
were elected, when the President was
inaugurated, and when Congress met
In extra session, there was u majority
OF both Houses against the uncondf-
tlona! repeal of the Sherman law.
III that majority has been changed it
| has not been done in accordance with
the theory and practice Of rightful rep
resentation. 1t is the will of the ma
jority of the people that the theory
| and principles of our Government re-
quire to find expression in legislation.
| Ihose Senators who oppose the uncon-
ditional repeal of the Sherman law be-
lleVe 1T to be their sworn duty as SEN
ators to act on their own convictions
lieve to be large majority of their
own constituents and Of the whole peo.
pie.
With these convictions of duty to
ourselves and the good people we rep
| resent, after instructing them and en-
ploying all our ability in this protract-
ed debate to satisfy them that the un-
| conditional repeal of the Sherman law
viii surely leave the country on the
gold basis, and put silver out of the
reach of use with gold as standard
money, and without any more coinage
except on an international agreement,
and that existing Indebtedness will be
doubled and the means of payment re-
duced one-half, and other manifold
consequences of the most ruinous char
acter will follow unconditional repeal.
how can such results be permitted as
long as the power exists to prevent
them But it is said the people want
the question settled. Certainly they
do; but can it be possible that they
are willing to accept settlement that
we have assured them and that they
believe will result in their ruin ? Is
ruin preferable to the delay and the
resistance that will save them from the
dire consequences we have assured
them will follow inevitably from the
passage Of the repeal bill :?
Mr.. President, knowing the anxiety
of the people to SEQ the Senate como to
some reasonable and fairly Just COM
promise that would secure a final vote
OF the majority, Democratic Senators.
feeling their responsibility for legisla-
tion, united in the spirit of compro-
mise and concession and fidelity to the
Democratic party and selected an equal
number of Senators from those friendly
to unconditional repeal, and those OPP
posed to unconditional repeal, and
after long time spent in consultation
and with the full knowledge of Presi-
dent Cleveland and Secretary Carlisle
that such effort was being made TO
bring Democratic Senators together
upon some common ground that could
be enacted into a law, accomplished
their laudable undertaking so far as to
agree upon compromise that secured
the signature of every Democratic
Senator but six, and the fact is not
considered doubtful that forty-threc
Democratic Senators would have sane
toned the compromise had not Pre-
s!dent Cleveland interposed his objec-
at all hazards. Whatever others NAV
say or believe, l am satisfied that all
effort at compromise that would bring
Democratlc Senators together has
tailed solely on account of President
Cleveland and his Secretary of tho Trea-
sury. Their will has been as potential
and has served the same purpose as
the cloture rule.
The resistance to unconditional
repeal is not to be continued, although
the justification has increased.
The debate is about exhausted, and
to make further opposition successful
IL would necessarily require resort to
extreme methods, which 1 believe to
be constitutional and above the power
OF the Senate to override in making
any change in its rules, but ! have
satisfied myself that | can not got Il
sufficient number Of Senator'S to Join
me in the use of what is characterized
as eoroad ndii9tusterng to PrySev,o'te vote a9ainst
Ai"' .l."i measure and appeal to the
people to organize their forces for the
great battle of the future.
] am still willing, if had sufficient
support, to resort to any and all means
left to defeat this iniquitous bill. 1t
might be called filibustering, but
hlibustering beat two force bills and
defeated what was called the Malone
coalition. Was the majority in favor
of the two force bills any less entitled
to rule than the majority claimed for
uncondltion repeal? Was the majority
for the execution of the Malone
coalition any less a majority with less
right to rule than the alleged majority
for the repeal bill =? And yet all these
maJorities were prevented from ruling
by hlibustering, and in each instance
fiiibustering was approved by the peo-
pie.
Mr.. President, am proud OF being
called filibuster in defeating a con-
spiracy equal in the ruinous con-
sequences of its success to war, pesti-
lence, and famine. I had rather be
called hlibuster by the conspirators
and lick-spittles OF the gold kings than
to be called traitor or q faithless
representative by the State and people
who honored me with their trust and
confidence. AS for myself, I shall do
my duty as Senator as | understand
1T and leave consequences to God and
my country.
BOGUS SILVER DOLLARS. 1t has
Il lol