The Van Buren press., 1895-09-14
SILVER EDITORS.
Convention Of White Metal Journalists
at Little Rock.
CONGRESSMAN TERRY

CONGRESSMAN TERRY
Sounded the Tscsin Of the Coming Campaign II
N Address.
From the Little Rock Democrat
The convention of free silver editors
called some time ago met in the senate
chamber with thirty editors present.
Organization was effected by the
election Of the following officers:
President, e. L. Givens vice president,
W. Theo Smith; secretary, o. c.
Ludwig; assistant secretary, 8. P.
Meador.
The following resolutions defining
their position were adopted:
Be It resolved by the editors of Demo-
cratic papers In Arkansas who favor the
free. unlimited and independent coinage
Of both gold and silver at the ratio Of
18 to 1:
1. That we reafirm our allegiance to
the principles Of the Democratic party,
as enunciated by its platform from
jefferson to Cleveland, and declare our
faith In it's ultimate correct solution Of
this question to be unshaken.
Q. We affirm our allegiance to the
money plank OF the Arkansas state
platform Of 1894, and assure the people
that we shall consistently and per-
sistently urge upon the Democratic
voters to never falter or be discouraged
and never give up the struggle within
the party until suitable laws are
engrafted on the statute books giving us
entire relief on this question.
8. We recognize the gravity Of the
issue presented and that, after careful
study Of the monetary question, we are
convinced that the policy enunciated In
the preamble to these resolutions Is
right in principle and necessary to
prosperity Of q free people.
4. We do not underestimate the
power Of those, both in position and
wealth, who are by every conceivable
means and interest seeking to destroy
one half of the primary money Of the
world, thereby doubling the power Of
the gold Of the world and In CORE
spending degree decreasing the value Of
all forms of property.
s. We view with alarm the power
that has degraded and is attempting to
destroy one half of the primary money
Of the nation, while the declaration of
every party ON this question since 1878
has been for the ..coinage Of both gold
and silver as the standard money of the
country - We would ask true
bimetallists to look with suspicion on
any sophistry or substitute offered by
those who are seeking to degrade silver
as one Of the standard moneys of the
world, and to accept nothing short OF
the complete restoration Of silver as
nrimarv money!
9. The administration forces are
organizing clubs under the high sound
ing title Of Democratic sound money
clubs, and are endeavoring to delude
the people into the belief that they are
standing upon the financial plank Of the
last national Democratic platform. We
believe that they either misconstrue or
misconceive the language of that plat
form, and that it is q genuine bimetallic
platform, and in now advocating the
free and unlimited coinage Of silver, we
are carrying out the spirit of that plat
form as It was understood by Democratic
voters In the last national canvass.
Z. We believe that when our plat
form declares for the coinage of both
gold and silver, fair construction Of
the declaration should induce those in
power to attempt to carry out that
declared policy by one or the other Of
the methods therein pointed out, giving
preference In minting first to the silver
owned by the government. In securing
the relief implied above we pledge our
selves to urge and insist upon the use Of
the mints In the coinage of bullion now
owned by the government in preference
to all other, and further to the retire
AHA kISa
substitution therefor Of silver certificates
Of small denominations. Since NO steps
have been taken or seem likely to be
taken TO bring about an international
agreement on the silver question we
demand that the other alternative given
in the last national platform shall be
adopted and that silver shall be restored
to its rightful position by legislation.
8. The experience Of the world
teaches, and the philosophy Of facts
proves, that the contraction or reduction
Of primary money appreciates its pur-
chasing power and thus reduces the
price for everything exchanged for 1t,
and that by the act of 1878, demonetiz-
ing silver, the primary money Of the
country was reduced aud resulted in the
disastrous panic Of 1898, which still
operates to impoverish the people and
stop the growth of the country.
8. In order that we may win the
fght, which means everything to us,
we must organize, and without delay.
We have the numbers now, but unless
we organize thoroughly and have
concert Of action, we cannot cope with
the enemy, who have vast wealth and
are using it adroitly and assiduously.
Therefore, let us commence now, and
send none but true, tried and absolutely
trustworthy silver men on to con-
ventions. The way to do this is to
commence at your township con-
ventions. Send none but tried and
faithful silver men to your county con-
ventions, and from your county con-
ventions TO our state convention, and
from our state convention to our
national convention in 1895.
r.. w. MCFARLANE,
w. D. LEIPER,
T. B. MORTON,
Committee.
After the adoption of the resolutions,
short speeches were made by Congress-
man T. G. McRae, Hon. Carroll Arm
strong and Governor j. p. Clarke.
AT night fair sized audience greeted
Congressman W. L. Terry in the hall Of
representatives. He delivered a ster