Mexico weekly ledger., 1895-08-29
OHIO FREE SILVER ADVOCATES
BEATEN AT EVERY
POINT.
Senator Brice Makes a Strong Open
ing Address During Which He
Lands Mr.. Cleveland-The Ma
tional Platform Reafirm-
ed Campbell Forced
to Accept.

morning there were no fayorites for
the ticket and the interest conferred in
the extent of the trouble that the
limited minority of unlimited silver
men might make.
Ex-Governor Campbell and other
leaders were up all night. At a late
hour Mr.. Campbell gave out a state
ment that he would get up in the con-
vention and decline the nomination il
it was rendered to him. Ex-Congress-
man Mcmahon from his bedroom,
Congressman Sorg through his secre-
tary, Colonel Kilbourne through his
friends and others who had been men,
toned for standard bearers, also gave
out that they would not accept. The
silver men met and resolved to have a
free coinage man on the ticket if they
could.
1t was 1890 when the chairman OF
the state committee, M. A. Smalley,
called the convention to order. Prayer
was offered by Prof. S. F. Breckin-
ridge, after which Senator G. s. Brice
introduced as presiding officer OF
the convention.
PLAIN WORDS ABOUT FINANCE.
"But, gentlemen" MIR. Brice went
on, "there is another question in
which great interest is felt, about
which there is a great difference OF
opinion and concerning which we may
hear more in this convention. 1t will,
perhaps, not be regarded as out OF
place or improper for me, as an in
dividual Democrat, somewhat familiar
with tire discussion and the conditions,
to make some suggestions in this con-
vention which may be taken for what
they are worth. have a deep inter-
est in the fortunes of the Democratic
party in this state and in this country.
| attended my first state convention
in 1863, in the heat of the war, when
we nominated Clement L. Valland-
ingham and George E. Pugh. I par
ticipated in the discussions from 1865
to 1876 on another branch of this
money question, constantly endeav-
oring through all these years to have
my fellow Democrats come where we
all finally did come to, a sound money
platform under the wise and able
leadership of Samuel j. Tilden in 1875,
and when | sec to-day efforts being
made to divide the great Democratic
party just on the eve of its revival
and resumption of power, on a theo-
retical and academical question in
which no practical result is possible, ]
come to this convention to ask full.
consideration before taking passionate
action. come to urge the party in
Ohio to stand on the platform of 1892,
on the money question, to let the cur
rency remain a it now is, and not tC
change u ground without full de-
liberation at q national convention
and a d~eliverance from that body. ]
come to urge that a declaration for
free coinage would be foolish, because
it would be an impotent, an idle dec
laration. 1t would separate us from
the national Democracy. 1t would
drive from our support thousands
hundreds of thousands of men who
otherwise would act with us. A dec
laration in favor of free and unlimited
coinage of silver-16 to made by
this convention would have no prac.
tical effect and it would mean ar
abandonment and disclaimer of the
splendid results of our Democratic ad.
ministration.
HIGH TRIBUTE TO MR.. CLEVELAND.
"You and / have possibly differed
from Mr.. Cleveland at some time anG
in some things, as it was Dur right,oul
privilege, u duty to do, if we were
conscientious in doing so, but taking
him by and large he is the creates
statesman and party leader of hi
time. His Democracy, his honesty
his integrity and his continued atten'
ton to business, which constitute
genius, have never been excelIed and
in my oIionion, Democratic success
in 1892 was largely due, rs Democrat,
success in 1896 will also be largely due
to the character of our Democrat,
President and to the high plane upol
which he has sought to place his part,
and his administration. Do not un'
derstand me as suggesting the can
didacy of President Cleveland for re
election. No such question is now be
fore us.
"You have heard the Republican
war cry. Their statement that, Will,
both the tariff and silver question vii
be discussed, neither will be the issu'
in the sense of obscuring other CUES
tons; that the great paramount issu
upon which the battles of both thi
year and next will be the record of tn
Democratic party under Presiden
Cleveland; that the question will b
whether it is to be Endorsed and it
policy continued, or whether it shal
be repudiated and its policy ended
We accept this and On it will max
our contest, and of the final judgmen
of the American people there can b
no doubt. The American people wi
in the end stand by us for home rule
that is to say, no interference by tn
national government with the cleo
tons of the people; for sound tariff
that is to say, a tariff only made fo
sufficient revenue to carry on tn
government economically administer
ed; for a sound currency, that is t
say, a currency of which all the do
lars, whether paper or silver or golt
shall be interchangeable and equal
good for their nominal par i'm th
hands of every man everywhere, an
the Democratic party will be assure
of a triumphant future"
The Senator was loudly cheere
when he was introduced and frequent
iy applauded as he proceeded, espes
tally in his reference to the indorss
ment of the platform of 1892, his prc