Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-06-22
The silver Convention nj memphis.

To the Editor Of the Dispatchi
The bimetallic convention at Memphis
last week was in more ways than one
slgnaly significant Spontaneous. as it
was, in response TO the gold-standard
convention there about three weeks be-
fore, 1t had nothing Of the sinister form
alism OF d-blooded and sOrdid schem-
ing in any of its features. On the con-
trary, from the beginning to- the ending
OF its straightforward proceedings II was
characterized by a freedom OF feeling,
frankneSs Of utterancc. an independence
Of spirit, bespeaking the faith and favor
Of the great host OF an aroused people
behind a. II was such a meeting Of
American men as is aways seen on the
eve of an eyentful epoch. when the p0pu-
lar sense OF this country iutuitvely dis
Germs something in public affairs too vi
tally touching all that Is near and dear
to the freeirans heart ~ be considered
otherwise than outside of all party lines
1t must have brought back 10 many
a mans memory the stories. IS he has
read them, Of the gatherings OF the pa
triots in Colonial times. when the storm
OF the revolution was brewing. y sa-
lient feature of the closing decade Of this
nineteenth century the silver convention
at Memphis last week may prove 10
be Made NJ. as II was. OF Democrats
Populists. and Republicans all In cor
dial cooperation. that convention was as
much the logical resultant of political
and economical conditions with their
causes. in this country to-day. as the
ground-swell Of the ocean is OF the storm
that gives voice and volume 10 H.
II IL demonstrated now. not only that
the currency question Is TO be- the supreme
question in next years national elections
but that the free coinage men VIII ac-
cept from any party no lesser assurance
of fidelity than an absolute demand for
the restoration Of silver as IT was twenty
two years ago regardless of what any
European government may do or not do
about Il: and. at the same time. fOrtifying
that demand with the nomination Of "A
candidate for the presidency who. as a bi-
metaliist. Is known 10 be above reproach
and beyond suspicion.
According to all the laws Of dialectic
evolution, bringing practice out Of prin-
ciple. the Democratic party must be the
party of bimetallsm. By its very genesis.
by its professions Of fidelity 10 the truths
of its traditions, IT stands committed AL
ways TO an unfaltering loyalty 10 the in
forests and the wishes of the people
What will it say? What Will il do when
II holds its national convention "A year
from now? VIII it show such a poverty
OF spirit as 10 be equiyOcal and evasive
i'm the currency plank OF its platform?
VIII IT he so unwise as to declare for hi
metalism only with the prov!sO Of in
ternatonal concurrence? VIII IL be 50
untrue 10 Itself as 10 follow the financial
flag Of Mr. Cleveland and Mr.. Carlisle?
Or will it, with It's hand on its heart
avow TO this American people that even
In these evil times OF rocreancy the old
party OF jefferson still stands as the
palladium of the liberties. the rights. and
the interests Of the many. and not "a
the defender Of the privileges OF the few?
We shall see
The bimetallists are now marching IN
three several columns, on three separatd
parallel roads. After while the three
roads will converge into one Then.
under which King, Bezonan?" Under
which flag. silver-men?
While there IL very large leaven Of
free coinage sentiment in the Republi-
can party, nobody supposes that the Ma
tional Republican Convention, will take
any position on the currency question.
which VIII not be in conformity TO the
interests and wishes OF the plutocrats
ana those who are subscryient to them
SO the free silver Republicans VIII have
TO fall in under some other flag. In the
Popuiist ranks there Is no division on this
question: and they are entitled to the
late free silver as an issue i'm terms not
admissible Of disputaton. and the FIRST
to crystalline II as the supreme question
before the country. They claim too. the
prestige OF an unprecedented increase OF
strength, az shown by the two millions
Of votes for their national ticket three
years ago. And by these tokens they
maintain that their flag is the nag under
which the three consolidated columns
must march when the three roads be-
come one. There * strength in their ar
Sument, but not strength enough 10
balance the greater reasons for "A gravi-
tauon Of their free coinage contingent
10 The Democratic flag, provided that
nag In the national convention next year
snail be shown TO stand unequivocally for
independent free coinage AT the old ratio
of 10 10 J.
In my judgment. the only hope of re-
lief and protection for the great bulk and
body or this American people Is 20 be
found in the success Of this movement
Tor the reconciliation OF silver; while the
only hope for the continuance of as
tendency FOR the Democratic party Is to
be found IN a bold and unambicuous
espousal Of the silver side of rs house
which is now divided against itself
rms movement for undoing the cruel
ard cunning deed done by plutocracy
against Democracy In 1873 has well been
called crusade" And in spite OF all
the wiles OF the bad men who know better
9nd all the efforts of the good men who
can and Will only see the light as the
golden lens reflects 1t. the silver crusade"
is going 10 achieve the end II has in view
In less than little year from now. ex-
cept In those States of the North and
East where the gold kings are enthroned
the air everywhere will be tremulous with
the ardor Of the people in the cause OF
free coinage. In a free country like this
the power OF the people Is an Irresistible
power. That power Is rousing and rising
In It's might and its majesty now as II
has not done since the initiation of our
unfortunate sectional war
The Democratic party IL In the presence
OF an emergency. which II must meet and
master with It's old principles I'm their
al 10