The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-08-18
AN ELOOUEST ADDRESS.
The Democratic Party Urged 10 Be United
and Active.

Hon. Il. r. Munford, temporary chair
man OF the convention. upon taking the
gavel. spoke as follows:
| Mr.. President and Gentlemen OF the Con-
vention:
Ny first words upon this occasion must
be expressions OF acknowledgment for
the honor shown me by my selection FOR
the Office TO which, by your partiality,
have Just been called.
To work in the ranks for the success
OF the Democratic party has always been
TO me a welcomed privilege.
To be called on 10 preside over this
great council OF its representatives
awakens within me emotions OF the pro-
foundest gratitude.
We have assembled under conditions
unprecedented in the past thirty years
OF our party's history.
For the first time in more than a gene
ration the Democratic party holds alb
solute power, both in the State and ma
tional governments. But not only is it
confronted with the duties thus entrusted
TO its care. but II has come TO power
with the added responsibility for the
solution OF the problems which spring
from the unparalleled financial disasters
which now afflict the land.
In the year 1855 Grover Cleveland, af-
ter an administration Of signal success,
during which the country enjoyed I'M
usual prosperity. left the White House.
The Republican party came into power
Two years OF absolute rule sowed the
seed whose bitter fruit we see in the bank
ruptcy and ruin which confront us on
every hand.
Profgate appropriations bankrupted
the treasury The Mckinley tariff added
new burdens OF taxation to the already
sorely tried shoulders Of the people.
The Sherman Silver law carried the
poison TO the heart OF our monetary sys-
TEN, which destroyed the faith OF the
world I'm the willingness or ability OF our
Government TO maintain unchanged the
value OF its dollar and the parity OF
its several issues OF gold, silver and paper
currency.
Questions OF Federal l. gisla,ion are not
involved In the canvss SIS before us. but
the people cannot be too often reminded
that every statute regulating Federal
taxation. ard the charcter and volume CT
our currency. was the enactment Of the
Republican party.
The Sherman law, Acknowledged as the
primal cause Of the present panic, was
writttn by Republican senator, passed
by a Republican Serafe and House and
Every Democrat in Congress who vo, ed
recorded his vote against its passage.
1t has been Justly denounced In the
Chicago platform as "cowardy make
shift" But it is worse than a make
shift" II strikes a deadly blow at the
cause OF bimetallism, because IL reduces
silver TO a mere commodity.
II Is vicious. because Il commits the
Government TO the purchase OF pro-
duct Of favored few o. its cItizers 80
X Is stupid to the bounds OF criminal
folly, because II endangers tLc equality
of our currency. whila declaring that the
parity Of the two coins shall be main.
tained.
1t requires the issue OF certificates for
the purchase OF bullion, which, In order
to preserve the parity, must be redeem
able in gold. without providing the gold
TO meet these obligations; and thus the
ability Of the Government to maintain
Its pledges Is discredited, and the conf
derce OF the world In It's willingness 10 4
keep faith with those who hold It's money
II destroyed.
ofe disasters which II has brought to
the business inkArsats Of this country