The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-07-19

enAo AAesAo OAsy WoEo suIOuBeu Ht on 6brly
hour this morning by crowds from tie
country and surrounding towns, while
the hotels, boarding houses and public
places contained an unwonted number
Of visitors from distance, all come to
attend the bimetallic State convention,
called by the SpaldinR County Silver
League, and to hear Senator John T.
Morgan, of Alabama, speak.
Ex-senator Patrick Walsh, of
Augusta, was made permanent chair.
man of the convention. and also presi-
dent OF the State bi-metallic league. In
assuming the chair Senator Walsh made
brief speech, defining the purpose of
the gathering and crisicizing the lnan-
cial policy of the adj inistration.
The displeasure of some OF the Demo-
cratic delegates a. the presence of
large number OF Populists showed itself
early, when delegate Gardner, of Pike,
arose and pro eeted against Populists
being allowed voice in the proceed
ings. His remarks were greeted with
applause.
The event of tho day was Senator
Morgsn's speech Of which the following
synopsis Is given:
mr, FIebluent anu gentlemen OF the
Convention:
I'm coming to Georgia convention,
on your kind invitation, where the
question of the free coinage OF silver Is
the topic Of discussion, feel at home
with you, because Alabama is mother
to me and she Is Georgia's only grand
daughter, and the question is family
trouble
II come as Democrat, in Democratic
harness and by authority Of the settled
| creed, to advocate Democratic prin-
ciples, as old and as sound as the great
national party. 1 am here as disciple
OF Jefferson, Madison and Jackson and
many others of our consecrated fathers,
to speak in defense of an act OF Con-
gress, that was approved by George
Washington in 1892 for the free coinage
OF silver; which WAS resenacted In 1887,
and was approved by Andrew Jackson,
President OF the United States; and was
stabbed below the fifth rib by John
Sherman in 1873. and was left for dead.
"Mr. Shernan's law of 1873 was such
death blow to silver, as q money
metal, that Ii seems marvellous that sill
yer has in 1t enough of life left to take
up Its bed and walk But 1t is moving
to the front with uplifted head and
vigorous step, again in union, If not in
full harmony with gold, and the parade
Ia so inspiriting that even Great Britain
is Keeping step to the music OF the
union
81 como to this convention protesting
the creed OF the national Democracy as
it was promulgated in 1896. to check the
threatening power Of the bank of the
United States, which has transmitted
to its illegitimate progeny-the national
banks-all OF it's vices, and few of It's
virtues. That decree was in these
words We declare unqualified
hostility to bank notes and paper money
as circulating medium, because gold
and silver is the only constitutional
currency.
Van Buren, WAS elected President on
that declaration of political principle,
and before he was inaugurated, Presi.
dent Jackson approved the second and
amendatory act for the free and equal
coinage Of silver and gold. on the de.
ratio Of sixteen grains OF silver to one
grain Of gold The silver dollar Of
4124 grains of standard silver was con-
tinued as the unit Of value, as 1t was in
the act OF 1893, approved by George
Washington, and the silver dollar was
made full legal tender money for all
debts, public and private, and 30 the
law remained until 1878.
"As a Democrat am here to advocate
the re-enactment Of the law of 1887, for
the free and equal coinage and the full
legal tender Of both gold and silver.
That Ia my.test of true bimetallism. It
is quite probable that there are Repub-
licans here who sre anxious as 1 am to
see that law re-enacted. For twenty
years have sat by such Republicans In
81 m 20
shese questions, and, also, for the repeal
OF those election laws and force bills
that have lowered over the country like
q nightmare for thirty years or more.
| have been greatly grati6ed to find
them in such good com psny and so
periodically serving the country, and
hope they will continue in we'll doing.
There are Populists, l am sure, who
still love TO hear the creed OF the old
Democratic party of Jefferson, and are
ready to join in the great psalm, y will
return unto the house of my father
Let them turn back the leaves OF mem
DRY to the not distant period whom this
fair land trembied under the feet Of in
vading armies, and the only happiness
was found in honorable memories OF the
heroic dead, and in watering their newly
made graves with tears, and when they
Hn0 IN answer TO tne question VINO mas
restored Georgia to renewed life and
glory. that this is the work OF the Dem
ocratic party, God bless it, they will re-
turn to that party and abide with it
whatever be the fate of silver or gold.
"Since the supposed death wound that
was inflicted on silver money, by the
first Sherman act OF 1878, the Demo-
cratic party aided by small but in
trepid band OF Republicans who are true
to the constitution, have restored silver