Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-08-28

and Nnltiulted coinage n SiNfl anu
gold at the ratio OF 10 to ] pointed to
the rational platform as the expression
OF his faith.
Senator Geo. G.. Vest. who has always
voted for the free and unlimited coin-
age Of both metals at ratio OF lo 10
l, in that debate. speaking OF the imam
cial plank in the national PLATFORM
said ut was as well known that the
democratic party stood upon the doc
trine Of olmetallsm as that 1t met In
Chicago and nominated Grover CleVe-
land for president Of the United
States"
Senator John w Daniel. a great
lawyer and a great law writer. discuss
ing the meaning of our national plank
on finance, in speech delivered In
the senate of the United States sep
TENDER II. 1893 analysed the plank In
lnwyer-like way, section by section.
And he demonstrated beyond doubt or
cavll that our platform demanded the
restoration Of bimetallism as 1t ex-
listed before the act OF 1873 These ex-
amples could be multiplied very
greatly.
Upon the other hand, Senator Daniel
w. Voorhees,, who stood with the presi-
dent upon the repeal Of the purchasing
clause of the Sherman act. but who
has always voted for the free coinage
OF gold and silver at n ratio OF 10 to l.
in a speech delivered August 20. 1893,
said; Beginning with the first speech
l made in this body, and down TO the
present hour, I can recall no vote CT
word on the subject of coinage. end
circulation of silver which ] Wguld
now change or blot from the rtcOrd IL
l could
Senator Gordon, who stood with sem
ator Voorhees, in that memorable de-
bate. said: 'Tf, then. hostile |, gisla-
ton death the unjust blow Ito silver)
friendly legislation should make the
atonement and restore to Its rlghtful
position this great metal upon which,
in the almost unanimous Judgment of
the people, so much of their future
prosperity depends"
The democrats whom I have quoted
were never known to bolt Il democratic
nomination or wage war lprn demo-
cratic platform; yet In 1898 they de-
nounced 'he characterization act " 1913
and fought for the restoration OF silver
10 Its oil place as n mou-1 metal.
Not one of them were charged In so
doing with being in reptll,',i against
the national platform, Trough The ra-
tional convention which a ic;ed 1t re-
fused to allow the words free coinage"
In the financial plank
In the state convention there was no
effort mace to amend the financial
plank 1gbTitted by the ma inrity Of
the committee. There was Il majority
report OF sixteen plankS. covering as
many different subjects. rtcre was n
minority report of as many pianks dis
cussing as many subjects. There was
n motion made TO substitute the entire
report Of the minority for the entire
report OF the majority of the commit
toe And this motion, not n simple mo-
ton TO amend tho financial plank, was
voted down.
In the debate before the state con-
. IA NanfanHaH thur hea
ccptance by that body OF the majority
report would nr could be tortured into
an expression against free silver. That
contention was LETT for a few camp
followers, who no more represent DEM
ocratic sentiment IN Texas than does
Hott(rtot represent The sentiment o
enlightened NIvlllzatiun.
1t is admitted by all that there is
very large and respectable element
in the Democracy of Texas who favor
the free and unlimited coinage of sill
yer and gold at the ratio of 10 to /.
Another element In the party opposes
this policy, The evident purpose OF the
minority was to make an explicit dec
laration of party faith for the afiirma-
tive of this proposition, while the ma
Jority wanted TO present plank which
every Democrat could construe for him
self. Let US see II this is not SO.
Apis ~ -. Ntluulib6 DIt6tllllllB Nht
report of the committee said: The
! committee has faithfully done Its duty
| and gives you u platform upon which
/ every Democrat in Texas can stand.
| II provides the means by which the
Democracy of Texas may be united and
move forward against all enemies. II
| Is Democratic platform to which no.
body can object or except The plat
| form does not meet the approval In all
/ s,f "a ffaaFf,1anru of the
mittee. II is a compromise, and Is the
| best that we could do. 1t Is a plat
| form upon which united Democracy
can stand without humiliation TO any
| Democrat"
Speaking for the majority report,
| Judge "Jonn Sherman" Aldredge said:
THAT majority report is fairly reeking
with llberality and harmony. II Is fair
ly swimming in the milk OF human
kindness. 1t indorses Hogg's admins
tration, 1t indorses his land policy and
indorses the commission. My God how
much further do you want honorable
men to go to meet your
Col. w. l.. Crawford, who was the
main stay OF the majority. said: 1T Is
not true that the Chicago platform was
stood upon by Richard z. Bland the
great apostle OF silver, in the last Mis-
souri, convention. that the great silver
leader refused to force upon Francis a
16 to l ratio? Where In all the Demo-
cratic states OF the Union, save and ex-
cept in Arkansas, has any Democratic
convention Incorporated 16 to 1 ratio
into its platform? All Democrats of
other states have found u compromise
ground upon which individual Demo-
Gratis differ. The truth is that Demo-
Gratis do not agree upon this question.
The truth is that In other states Dem
| 20
ground. They have put forward some
plank which each man may construe as
he pleases, and they all work for the
impressment on the statutes OF some
act representing their own peculiar
views about money. Tell me that |, as
n lover of the Democratic party, as
one who believes that the welfare OF
the people OF the country Is wrapped
In the perpetuation of the plans of the
Democratic party-tell me that can.
not be conceded this little plank in the
majority platform?
1T is for this reason that ask OF you
tonight to support the report OF thu
majority of the committee. II is that
dissensions may no longer dwell among
us. 1t is that the strife may cease, and
that the enmitles OF the campaign on
two years ago may be forgotten In the
reunited Democratic party, and that nil
may entertain their own individual
views, l know that the great. intel.
ligent, broad-headed and honest hear,
OF this convention have Views on this
I 90