The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-06-06

NO 100,
and q most important significance. Here
tOfore managers Of political parties have
80 arranged that party politics should be
declared only at the time candidates
were chosen, and only short time be-
fore the gathering of the franchises or
the people The result has been often
that our conventions have put forth a
mere assertion Of general principles or on
live issues explained Themselves in mean
ingioss compromises.
Colorless candidates have been present.
ed TO the people. or candidates unsympa-
thetc with the real purpose OF the party
This convention makes a departure
and it Is intended not only 10 allow free
discussion before the next political en-
eagement but 10 define our party posi-
ton with distinctness and dennitencss. 50
that no voter shall fail 10 understand
Us. ard no candidate If chosen TO ofiice
have a chance or excuse to defeat our
command.
"The time has come TO rcbuke those
who distrust the wisdom Of tho people
and accept the selfish wisdom Of the
money changer and the bOndholders.
The time has come now for us 10 be
definite In demand. and resolute IN ex-
acting obedience from our official ser
wants We must say. and say IL with the
voice Of command, that we demand the
reconciliation OF silver al the ratio es-
tabished by law The system we want
restored has been approved by long ex-
pcrience. has been sanctioned by our
people. is justified by our situation. and
is necessary TO our national independence
and prosperity. We must rid ourselves
Of the veto power Of New York and
London. Let the people command and
our official servants must obey
His audience gave him an ovation. ana
then cried loudly for Congressman W. J.
Bryan.
Mr.. BRYAN's SPEECH.
Mr.. Bryan was ready. In the course Of
his speech he said.
In 1896 the people Of the United states
will be called upon 10 decide whether the
influence Of this nation shall be cast on
the side of bimetallism, or I'm favor Of =
universal gold standard All admit that
the question is the greatest economic
question which has come before the people
during the present generation, If not. In
fact. during the present century. This
question cannot be settled by the fiat OF
bank presidents or mOney-lOaT ers or Fed
eral officials. IL will not be finally settled
until the great common people OF the
United States sit in judgment upon II
and apply it 10 those principles OF Justice
by which alone such questions can be
measured II. as all admit, the money
question is now the question of supreme
Importance IL must follow that the people
will trust that party with its settlement
which fearlossly cspOuses the truth.
The Democratic party must take It's
position upon this question, and by the
correctness OF that position VIII rise or
fail.
No coward, whether an individual or a
party. can long remain in the confidence
Of the people Not only is it necessary
for the Democratic party 10 take d posi-
ton, but the sooner 1t defines it's position
the greater Will be It's opportunities to
win success in 1896.
The platform adopted by this convention
will be I'm substance the Democratic plat
form of 1856. If we are right, as we be-
lieve we are. they that are with as are all
right. Truth is right, and will prevail.
Judge A. j. Hunter, eX-cOngressman at
large from Illinois. followed Mr.. Bryan.
II was now apparent the convention
was determined to hear Governor Alt
geld. despite his protest that he would
under no circumstances speak. The Gov
crnOr was on the floor below I'm his Office,
and a committee was sent out 10 conduct
him I'm. His appearance was the cue for
the nOisest demonstration OF the day.
Men stood on chairs. yelled like cowboys
at the opening Of a reservation, and spun
their silk hats on the end of their sticks.
women clapped their hands. and having no
canes swung their bonnets by the strings
and howied. as If the convention was
university football game.
GOV. ALTGfLD's sPEEcH
1t was fully five minutes before
semblance Of order could be patched up.
The Governor said.
Il am told Cleveland is the friend Of
the workingman He has written some
beautiful letters. and in them he has
told the wOrkingman his dollar would go
further than IL used TO. but neither he
nor any other man has told the working
man where be is going TO get the dollar
You've got to have a market that viii
pay a fair price for the workingmans
product. There are Democrats who say,
DO not disturb things: do not split the
Democratic pariyf No. leave ID alone and
when the next national convention elect
men, as you did before. who will
straddc every thing under the sun,
and not even know that there Is a country
west of the Alleghenies. There is only
one way TO head the gold men Off. and
that is TO get back of them. Call con-
vention for this fall and let the Demo
Gratis of this country send delegates
60 it. In this event you will find
that no man from New York or
from anywhere else can be elected Presi-
dent Of the United States. unless he repre-
sents the principles Of the Democratic
party-no plutocrats or club-haneers-
"This. in itself, is not necessarily great
argument: but there is no reason why he
should interfere with the masses and not
allow them to speak their minds on the
great questions Of the day. Let these
men know that il is not mere question
of getting office. that 10 IS more than this.
question of principle. stand shoulder
TO shoulder and you Will find there IS no
power in America that can withstand
your onward tread"