The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-08-10
WANT FREE COINAGE
OPENING OF THE NATIONAL SILL
YER CONVENTION.
Delegates Welcomed by Mayor Hnr-
risOn-Addresses by Gen. Warner
and Others Allan W.. Thurman
Permanent Chairman. # @

anu OtncrS Allan W.. XnuFLlln
Permanent Chairman.
Chicago, Aug. 2-The delegates to the
opening session of the national silver
convention, a gathering which, accord
ing to one of the prime movers of the af-
fair, is to 'sound the first gun for fnan-
cial Independence from British dicta-
tion," were slow in getting together at
the First Methodist church yesterday.
The lowe delegation, with Hon. John 3.
Weaver marching at it's head, was one
of the earliest to put in an appearance,
and the Colorado contingent came close
behind. Gem. Weaver, Gov. Waite,
Chairman Kolb of Alabama, and Con
gresham Allen w. Thurman, Jr, son
of the grand old man, dropped in almost
unnoticed, and hunted up their respective
delegations. :
At 1915 Gen. A. J.. Warner, as pres
ident of the bimetallic league, called the
convention to order and introduced May
or Harrison. He said the men before
him were certainly in earnest. Some
said they were wild; that they were
silver l%unatics. There had been such
%lunatics since the beginning of history.
Mayor Hsrrison proceeded to deal at
length with the silver question. He
urged the delegates not to go wild, not
to create any new ''isms," not to go in
for fat money, let them ave but one
CRY, but one platform, that the money
of the country should be placed side by
side, gold to silver, doing their work as
dt was given them to do.
Mayor Harrison concluded amid pro-
aonged applause, and it was reneWed
when Thomas W.. Patterson Of Denver
was presented to respond in behalf of
the delegates. Mr.. Patterson spoke in
an energetic strain, and was repeatedly
. applauded. He said that Chicago and
the country needed conservative couns Il
and conservative advice. They could
get it from the bimetallists, for they
were the conservatives.
Gen. Warner then delivered his ad-
dress as temporary chairman. lie SAID
that to attribute the present financial
conditions to the so-called Sherman law
implied a state of ignorance. He said
that the gold clique of London and the
bankers of New York are ruling the
financial world.
After the appointment of committees on
credentials, rules and order Of business
and permar ent organization, the conven-
ton adjourned until afternoon, when the
committee on permanent organization
recommended Hon. Allen w. Thurman
of Ohio, son of the old Roman, for per-
manent chairman. The report was unan-
imously adopted. Mr.. Thurman deliv-
cred his address, which was a mastery
one. in favor of the equal coinage OF
gold and silver. He was frequently ap-
%plauded.
7. V. Powderly and Ignatius Donnelly
made addresses, after which an ad'
journment was taken until s p. m, when
Senator Stewart made a speech in favor
of free coinage.
Second Day.
Chicago, Aug. 3.-There was a little de-
lay in the calling to order of the, second
days session OF the silver convention
A dispatch of greeting from the knights
of Labor of st. Louis was read. 1t stated
that the assembly there had adopted res
olutions for the free and unlimited coin
age of silver at the ratio of IL to 1. This
was received with applause. The com
mittee on resolutions not being ready tt
report, a call for Hill Of Colorado was
made, who was introduced into the con
vention and spoke at length. He wa:
f. followed by Congressman Newlands o:
Nevada, Senator Allen Of Denver ant
Mr.. Thomas of Colorado, after which thu
convention adjourned until ? p. m, whcl
the report of the co1umittee on resolu
tons was presented. After reciting TIN
fact that bimetallism had existed in tn
world since the days of Pharaoh, tn
two metals remaining at nearly one rati'
for that period; that it was recognized
b. in the constitution Of the United States
and that silver had been demo'etized b.
doubtful methods in the bill Of 1873, j
attributes the present distress wholly t
. the agitation now being carried on b.
gold advocates for the purpose o. furthe
restricting the use of the white metal
and quotes from such statesmen as Jane
G. Blaine, John G.. Carlisle and JOIN
Sherman in support of it's assertions. I
then says:
Therefore, in view Of all these facts
we declare:
First-1hat there must be no compro
mise of this question. All legislation de
monetizing silver and restricting the coin
age thereof. must be imlaS1iately and com
pletely repealed by an act restoring tn
coinage of the country to the condition
established by the founders of the ma
ton; aud which continued for over eight,
years, without complaint from an
part of our people.
Second-We assert that the only RENE
dy for our metallic financial troubles i
to open the mints of the nation to gol
and silver on equal terms at the old rati
of sixteen of silver to one of gold.
Third-We, in the name of the reput
lie and of humanity, protest against tn
repeal of the Sherman act of July Il
1890, except by an act restoring free b.
metallic coinage, as it existed prior t
1873.
Fourth-We assert that the unpara.
leled calamities which now aflict til
American people are due to the %so-calle
Sherman act of 1890, and, in proof there
of we call attention to the fact that til
same evil conditions now prevail over tn
gold states. = ID
Fifth-That we would call the after