The San Francisco call., 1895-05-24
They Are Afraid of Descending
to the Level of China
and Mexico.
CARLISLE MAKES A GOLD TALK.
Says He Opposes Destroying the
Nations Credit at Home
and Abroad.

AhA@1uA 11lAJs LINN, may PNohN VI
5000 people were present at the Audito-
I rum at 2:15 o'clock, when Chairman w.
J. Crawford called the convention to
order. While the gathering was effecting
an organization and getting down to busi-
ness the crowd gradually filed the vacant
seats, and by the time Secretary Carlisle
began his address the large hall was COM
fortably filled. Mr.. Crawford, in his capa-
/ city as chairman of the committee of fifteen,
appointed by the associated mercantile
bodies of Memphis, under whose auspices
the convention is held, called the meeting
to order.
Richard H. Clark of Alabama presented
the name of Congressman Catchings for
permanent chairman in neat and highly
complimentary speech. This convention,
said Mr.. Clark, was an evidence that the
people do not believe in debased money
and do not want to be dragged down to the
level of Mexico and China. The people
represented in this convention believed in
the Just and equitable use of silver as a
money metal, but they would not deliver
the country to a syndicate of fmine-owners,
or place in jeopardy the business of the
country because of craze-a condition of
public sentiment-which he likened to a
prairie fire, which would feed upon chaff
and soon burn out.
The leaders in the silver movement were
the men who had taken up in succession
all the political and economic heresies that
had been before the people in the past de-
cade. The present outcry he ikened 10
the extreme doctrines advocated by the
Populists in recent years, and their falla-
hn dao1oro6 H.
empty warehouses. He urged confidence
in the judgment and good sense of the
Southern people. Two-thirds of the
product of that section must be sold in
foreign countries and paid for in the money
OF the world. The prices of their products
were fixed in the markets of the world,
where no American legislation can put a
fictitious value on silver.
Mr.. Clarke eulogized President CIeve-
land and Secretary Carlisle his remarks
arousing the first outburst of enthusiasm
of the convention. The cheering at the
mention of the Presidents name was par
ticularly hearty and protracted. In con-
clusion he presented the name of Con-
gresham Catchings for permanent chair
man of the convention, lauding the gentle
mans public record on the money uues-
ton and assuring the convention of his
eminent fitness for the position of presid-
ing officer.
The selection of Mr.. Catchings was made
by unanimous viva voce vote, and the
Congressman accepted the honor in a
graceful speech. He said:
Gentlemen of the Convention: There come
times in the lie of man when words fail him
when he wishes to express the emotions bv
which he is moved. Such q time has now
crossed my path. Could 1 live forever could
not express to my friend from Alabama the i'm
preston which his warm words have left
within me.
Gentlemen, in my judgment, no convention
ever assembled for a nobler or higher purpose
than this. Brought together from almost
every Southern State, coming from every walk
in life. representing as you do all vocations.
industries and conditions of life, speak the
truth when l say that not man has come
here to advance personal end or a selfish
purpose. Believing that the free, independent
cainage of silver at the 16 to l ratio would be
disastrous to all private and public interests.
we have laid aside our private affairs for the
time being to take counsel together to con-
slider what viii be best to prevent it. The
character of the delegates to this convention is
far beyond the reach of captious criticism and
adverse comment. This body is composed of
the great mass of honest, intelligent. patriotic
citizens. If we are right we are not only right
now, but we are eternally right. We have
assembled to give testimony to the faith that
is IN US. We have been misrepresented from
one end of the land to the other: epithets
have been hurled against US; we have been
charged with entertaining views which we
scorn and disdain. 1t is said, for instance
that we are monometallists. Let us here and
now place the lie upon that charge. [Applause.1
1t has been said again that we seek to so con-
tract the currency that prices will fall. Let us
stamp that also as lie. Let us pass series of
resolutions that viii be our declarations of
faith, and then challenge any man to put other
words on our lips. Let US, when this conyeu-
ton shall have adopted these resolutions. ad-
journ and go home with the determination to
stand by them. Let US organize ourselves into
movement militant and not aquiescent for
beneVlng as we do, we would be recreant to our
duty II we failed at all times to let our views he
known. Let US nail our colors to the masthead
and let the old ship go on her course regardless
OF the obstacles That we may encounter hay-
ing faith that with the truth as guide we will
reach our destination safely
Gentlemen of the convention, we should
take heart at the fact that our views are sane
toned by all the great people of this country
outside of political life. Suppose we adopted
the free coinage of silver at ratio of l6 to it
will bring about silver recommendation pure and
simple. When the simple issue is put before
the people do not believe they would be will
ing to put this country on a silver basis.
After the selection of G. G. Matthews,
associate editor of the Commercial Appeal,
as secretary, committee on resolutions
was appointed, one delegate from each of
the States represented being made.
Secretary of the Treasury John G. Car
isle was then introduced by Chairman
Catchings. When the distinguished Ken
tnckian stepped to the front of the stage
the audience rose to its feet and cheered
enthusiastically for several moments
After quiet had been restored the Secre-
tary spoke as follows:
Mr.. President ana Gentlemen of the Conven-
ton: congratulate myself upon my good
fortune In having the opportunity to appear
before this assembage of Southern business
men, and L congratulate the people of the
South upon their good fortune in being able to
send here so many real representatives of
their great industrial and commercial in
terests.
The proposition to revolutionize our none
tary system and thus destroy the credit of the
Government and the people at home and