St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-03-02
A PLEA FOR SILVER.
BimetalliSt Democrats in Con
gress Make Pu bic
That
FREE COINAGE MANIFESTO
1t Would Bind the Party to
a SiXte en-to-0ne
Policy.
FEW SIGNATURES ON IT.
Many New Senators Being Too
Busy to Consider the
Subject.

WASHINGTON, March 1. = The
Democratic silver manifesto, which
has been the chief topic Of talk on
that side of the house for few days,
was made public today. While 1t
has been generally circulated for
the consideration of members, there
was no attempt to secure signatures
until a late hour because the prime
movers in the matter were undo
cided whether to call a caucus for
discussion of the matter or to Sc
cure signatures or issue directly to
the public. In consideration of the
short time left and the pressure of
business, it was determined not to
have a conference. Representative
members from fifteen states signed
the declaration today at the instance
of Mr.. Bryan, but the canvass is so
far very incomplete, and the list of
signers will not be made public until
it is complete. The paper follows:
To the Democrats of the United
States-We, the undersigned Dem
ocrats, present for your considera-
ton the following statement:
We believe that the esta b1ishment
of gold as the only monetary stand
ard and the elimination of silver as
full legal tender money will in
crease the purchasing power of each
dollar add to the burden Of all
debts. decrease the market value
of all other forms of property, con-
tinue and intensity business depres-
sion, and finally reduce the majority
of the people to financial bondage.
We believe that no party can hope
for enduring success in the United
single gold standard, and that the
advocacy Of such a financial policy
would be, especially to a party,
which, like the Democratic party,
derives its voting strength from
those who may without reproach be
called the common people; and we
point to the overwhelming defeat of
the party in 1894, to the opposition
aroused by the veto of the ,Seignior-
age bill, and to the still more unan-
imous protest against the issue of
gold bonds as proof that the Dem
ocratic party cannot be brought to
the support of the gold standard
policy.
We believe that the money ques-
ton will be the paramount issue in
1896, and will so remain until it is
settled by the intelligence and pa
triotism of the American voters.
We believe a large majority of the
Democrats of the United States favor
bimetallism and realize that it can
only be secured by the restorat ton of
the free and unlimited coinage of gold
and silver at the present ratio, and we
assert that the majority should exert
the right to control the policy of the
party and retain the party name.
We believe that it is the duty of the
majority and within their power to
take charge of the party organization
and make the Democratic party an eff
fective instrument in the accomplish
ment of needed reforms.
1t is not necessary that the Demo-
Gratis should surrender their convic-
tons on other questions in order to
take an active part in the settlement
of the question which at this time sur
passes all others in Importance
We believe that the rank and file
of the party should at once assert
themselves in the Democratic party.
and place it on record in favor of the
immediate restoration of the free and
unlimited coinage of gold and silver
at the present legal ratio of 16 to 1, as
such COMA ore existed DriOr to 1879 with
out waiting for the aid or consent of
any other nation, such gold and silver
coin to be full legal tender for all
debts public and private.
We urge all Democrats who favor
the financial policy above set forth to
associate themselves together and i'm
press their views upon the party or
ganiza ton; we urge all newspapers in
harmony with the above financial pol
icy to place it at the head of the edi-
torial column and assist in the imme-
date restoration of bimetallism.