The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-17
Telling Words of the ex-Con-
gresham, Who Receives
an Ovation.
LAYS THE LASH ON GoLDBUGs.
Worst of All the Bugs, However, Is
the Celebrated "Straddle-
Bug"


steps OF the east entrance OF the capitol
this afternoon, was the largest that Den
yer has ever seen. Various estimates place
the number present anywhere from twelve
to fifteen thousand. On the steps OF the
capitol and in the vast concoUrse Of people
were men and women OF every division
and shade OF political utilization and be-
lief. Republicans, Democrats and Popu-
lists stood shoulder to shoulder and showed
by their cheering their sympathy with the
remarks Of the speakers.
Long before the renowned silver cham
pions appeared every seat was occupied,
and thousands stood around the outer edge
OF the seats. Siggels military band dis
coursed sweet music and kept the crowd in
good hunor till the guests Of the day ar
rived.
Governor Mcintyre, who was to preside,
sent a note at the last moment that he was
detained by official business, and the meet
ing was called TO order by Judge A. W.
Bucker. Miss Caldwell was introduced
and in a sweet voice sang the "Silyer
Song" which was greeted with great ap-
plause. Then promptly at 2 80 clock ex-
Congressman Sibley was introduced and
received an ovation. He said that he had
not started on his present tour with the
intention Of making speeches on the silver
question, and that it was not for him to
attempt TO enhghten the people Of Colo
RADIO on the subject, but that to win the
fight which was now on hand 1t was neces-
sary to exalt patriotism TO the debasement
Of partisanship.
Frantic appeals he said, care. being
made by the goldites 10 the bankers and
merchants Of the country TO educate the
people IN regard to sound money. l wish
Cleveland could sec the people he wishes
10 educate, and he might modify his views.
The great political parties in the coming
campaign viii have to incorporate free
silver in their platforms 70 'straddle' I
have had great deal Of experience with
bugs. The cinchbug IS a severe menace to
farmers, but II can be exterminated; even
q goldbug can be exterminated, that is,
converted by proper argument; but the
bug fear the most is the 'straddlebug.'
There are but two parties IN the field
to-day, the monometalic and the bimetal-
lie, and II is necessary for the people to ar
raign themselves under the banner Of one
or the other. We must shake off our party
shells and come to the subject, not as Re-
pUbIicans, Populists or Democrats, but as
freedom Americans. l have not come to
ask the people TO elect any President. but
to ask them 70 unite under the silver ban
ner. I am ready 10 follow that standard
whether borne by Republican, Democrat
or Populist."
He decried the idea OF relief being OBJ
tanned by an international conference
''Let Us 90 forward, F." he said. IF the
other nations join Us so much the better
for them, but let Us lead and let them take
the husks. Let the grander feelings in the
human heart have room to expand; let
truth grow and don't stiHe it. We may
meet with one or two defeats, but truth
will prevail. Truth was crucifed nineteen
hundred years ago, and when It was buried
the rulers said Truth is dead But il rose
again. There never was a truth yet but
what would rise again. We viii win this
fight when you do your part"
The speaker thanked his hearers and
told them that a sudden deep affection at
his own door had called him back TO Penn
sylvania, but that he would come again.
However" he said, ''men should not
come from the East to the West to talk
silver, but apostles should be sent from
this State to all Eastern States to preach
the doctrine Of truth
General Warner, the next speaker. was
introduced by the chairman as one Of the
few surviving generals Of the late war. and
the one who had been chosen general of
the silver forces. The general confined his
remarks TO practical politics. ave are
face to face" he said, with the question.
What is TO be our money, how is it to be
supplied? Nothing can be settled till that
Is. II II is not the dominant question let
Us lay It aside and take up the one that is.
Issues are not made tc order, but rise out
Of conditions. I believe this to be the
supreme issue in the United States and we
must settle it. The line Of battle is drawn
Mononetallism on the one side and BIZ
metallism on the other.
''If sound money as interpreted by Mr..
Cleveland and the bankers is right and we
are wrong, then it should succeed and we
should fail. Which is sound money? I'm
restricted silver and paper money under
public control or gold recommendation and
the issue Of paper by 10000 banks? Why,
the latter would not be tolerated by any
other nation on the earth, nor even what
is known as the Baltimore plan. That was
settled IN Europe by the committee which
met IN 1854
"By the repeal of the Sherman law the
power to pay debts has been reduced by
$12, 00o, 100000 IN the last two years The
dear dollar means the cheap man, and I
would rather have the dollar man and the
50-cent dollar than the 50-cent man and the
lOC-cent dollar.
GAS to whether or not the battle can be
won in 1896, " said he, depends on whether
we unite or remain divided. fully be-
Heve that 1900, 900 voters are in favor of
the question, but if the next election was
thrown into the House the cause would be
lost"
The General then analysed the question
of restoration of silver within party lines.
He showed how the politicians and those
in control OF the parties were opposed TO it,
and that if one or the other of the old par
ties adopted free silver plank how it
would split that party to its ruin. "Stay
with the party" he said, "and if successful
you viii save the spoils of office, that is all.
Party lines must be submerged for the
present and free-silver believers must unite
-, 1890 cra g. tbof-