The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-03-06
A SILVER MANIFESTO.
Issued by Members of the Democrat tic
Party.

WASHINGTON, d. c. March 1.-The
Democratic silver manifesto, which has
been the chief topic of talk that side OF
the house for few days, was made pub
lie today. While it has been generally cir
culated for the consideration of members
there was no attempt to secure signatures
until a late hour because the prime movers
in the matter were undecided whether to
call a caucus for discussion of the matter
or to secure signatures issue directly to
the public. In consideration of the short
time lett and the pressure OF business, it
was determined not to have a conference.
Representative members from Is states
signed the declaration today at the instance
of Mr.. Bryan, but the canvas is so far very
incomplete and the list of the signers will
not be made public until it is complete.
The paper follows:
ITO the Democrats of the United States:
We, the undersigned Democrats present
for your consideration, the following state
ment:
I'VE believe that the establishment of
gold as the only monetary standard and
the elimination of silver a full legal ten
der money will increase the purchasing
power of each dollar, add to the burden Of
all debts, decrease the market value of all
other forms of property, continue and in
tensify the business depression and finally
reduce the majority of the people to finan-
cial bondage
I'VE believe that no party can hope for
enduring success in the United States SO
long as it advocates a single gold stand
ard and that the advocacy of such a fnan
cial policy would be especially damaging
to a party which, like the Democratic
party, derives it's voting strength from
those who may without reproach be called
the common people, and point to the
overwhelming defeat of the party in 1891,
to the opposition aroused by the veto of
the segniorage bill and to the still more
unanimous protest against the issue Of
gold bonds, as proof that the Democratic
party cannot be brought to the support of
THE GOLD STANDARD POLICY.
Eve believe that the money QUESTION will
be the paramount issue in 1896 and will so
remain until it is settled by the inteli-
gence and patriotism of the American
voters.
1--WE believe that a large majority of the
Democrats of the United States favor BIZ
metallism and realize that it can only be
secured by the restoration of the free and
unlimited coinage of gold and silver at the
present ratio, and assert that the ma
jority has and should exert the right to
control the policy Of the party and re-
tain the party name.
I'VE believe that it is the duty of the ma
jorty and within their power to take
charge of the party organization and make
the Democratic party an effective instru-
ment in the accomplishment of needed re
forms. 1t is not necessary that the Demo-
Gratis should surrender their convictions on
other questions in order to take active
part in the settlement of the question
which at this time surpasses all others in
importance.
I'VE believe that the rank and file of
the party should at assert them
selves in the Democratic party and place
it on record in favor of the immediate res
toration of the free and unlimited coinage
of gold and silver at the present legal
ito of 16 to /, such coinage existed
prior to 1873. without waiting for the aid
or consent of any other nation, such gold
and silver coin to be a full legal tender for
all debts, public and private.
1--WE urge all Democrats who favor the
financial policy above set forth to associate
themselves together and impress their
views upon the party organization; we
urge all newspapers in harmony with the
above financial policy to place it at the
head of the editorial column and assist
in the immediate restoration Of bi-metal-
liSm'