River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1895-03-07
THEIR CREED.
Declaration Of Principles by the
Friends of Free Silver.
Signatures Asked for Only from Demo-
cratic Congressmen-yiews to Re
Embodied In an Address
TO Voters

WASHINGTON. March Representa-
tive Bryan dem, Neb.l mas abandoned
his intention of securing a conference
of the free silver representatives and
senators with view of issuing a call to
the democrats of the country. LAYING
down the proposition that ma iority
of the democrats favor the free and un-
limited coinage of silver. and calling
upon this majority to take control of
the party organization. lie decided
instead to circulate the call among
such of the house democrats as favor
the free coinage of silver, with view
TO securing their Endorsement. The
call is presented only to democrats,
and not to populists or free silver re-
publicans. 1t is addressed ITO the
Democrats of the United States and
reads as follows:
The Call.
I'VE, the undersigned democrats, present
FOR your consideration the following state
ment:
We believe that the establishment OF gold
rs the only monetary standard and the elimi-
nation of silver as fun legal tender money
willincrease the purchasing power OF each dol
lar, add 10 the burden OF all debts, decrease
the ma rket value OF all other forms OF proper
ty, continue and intensity business depression,
and, finally, reduce the majority OF the people
TO financial bondage
I'VE believe that no party can hope for en-
during success in the United States so long as
1t advocates single gold standard, and that
the advocacy OF such financial policy would
he especially fatal to party. which,
like the democratic party. derives its
voting strength from those who NAV,
fft,s
people: ana we Point 10 the Overwhelming de-
feat OF the party In 1894 TO the opposition
aroused by the veto OF the seigniorage bill ana
to the still more unanimous protest against
the Issue OF gold bonds. as proof that the dem
oeratic party cannot be brought TO the support
of the gold standard policy.
We believe that the money question will be
the issue in 1896 and will so remain until Il is
settled by the intelligence and patriotism OF
the American voters
We believe that n large majority OF the
democrats of the United States favor bi-
metallism and realize that it can only be Sc
cured by the restoration of the free and IN
limited coinage OF gold and silver at the
present ratio and we assert that the majority
has and should exercise the right to control
the policy OF the party and retain the party
name
I'VE believe that 1t is tho duty of the ma jor =
ity and within their power to take charge ofthe
party effective instrument in the accom-
plishment of needed reforms. Ii is not neces-
sary that demo- rats should surrender their
convictions on the other questions in order TO
take an active part in the settlement Of the
questions which at this time surpass oil
others in Importance
We believe that the rank and file OF the
democratic party should at once assert them
selves in the democratic party and place the
party on record in favor of the immediate res
toration OF the free and unlimited coinage
OF gold and silver at the present legal ratio OF
10 to !, as 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 ard
private.
1--WE urge all democrats who favor the flnan-
cial policy above set forth 10 associate them
selves together and impress their views upon
the party organizations we urge all news
papers in harmony with the above financial
policy to place IL at the head OF the editorial
column and assist in the immediate restora-
tion OF bimetalliSm d"