The Red Cloud chief., 1895-06-28
;ALLS FOR PARTY SENTIMENT ON
SILVER IN MISSOURI.
HE ISSUES AN ADDRESS.
rhe state Democratic Committee viii
he Again Convened 10 the Leaders
Really Desire 1.-THE Past POSI-
tion of the Members Define
Asks for Immediate
Replies tn the Letter.

''' ""hN rs
). G. Mafitt of the Democratic state
central committee has mailed 10 each
Democratic county chairman in Mis-
souri, an address, Of which the follow
tng Is a part: "Your state Democratic
committee, having noted through the
public press that some enthusiasts in
oehalf of the free, unlimited and un-
conditional coinage Of silver at the
'atio OF 10 to 1 were clamorous for q
convention of the Democratic party
N this state for the purpose Of
giving expression to sentiment upon
hat, to the exclusion OF all
other important articles of the Demo-
cratic creed, convened on the list day
Of June, with the view of canvassing
The policy, propriety and wisdom of
committing the party by its action to
such an unusual and unprecedented
project. Upon the assembling of the
lull committee, the general phase of the
subject was considered and thoroughly
~:anyassed, the argument for and
against having been patiently heard
and carefully and dispassionately
weighed. The Judgment of the COM
nittce was registered against the call
,ng of a convention by the decisive
5ote of 10 to 3. II is due, alike
10 this committee and to you, in be-
ialf of the good of the party, to briefly
outline the reasons which influenced
It in deciding against such u conven.
ton, as well as some of the more inn
portant views urged in its favor, which
were considered by the committee"
The chairman then gives as the rea-
IONS that to call "a convention for the
purpose of formulating a declaration
)f beliefs solely upon q single n Of
The national issues might be justly
construed as an abandonment Of all
others; that it would create schisms,
oarty ostracism and anarchy; that
neither tradition nor usage afforded q
precedent for q convention to prede-
Stare upon any subject which must be
iealt with by q regular convention
hat puts forth a declaration Of prin-
:iples for its party candidates; that
he committee did not feel clothed
with the power to call such Q conven-
ion.
In closing, the address ays "It was
irgued that IL such q convention de-
,lared in favor Of the free, unlimited
md unconditional coinage Of silver ut
t6 to !, it would give an impetus to that
continent in other states and help on
he cause. The result Of the election
following admonishes us that we must
81 careful to be strong at home before
We lend strength to our neighbors. 1t
was argued that by a timely declara-
Jon upon the silver question and in the
light way, we might be able to reclaim
hose who had strayed away from
Tho Gold tnNn thA Dl.A -.-A.
1t was then answered that il
we commit the Democratic party
to this single issue, the one very con-
'picuous in the Populist platform,
might not that party, without AFRO
yance, claim that 1t had been recruited
by the accession Of the Democratic
party of this state? 1t is an argument
hat cuts two ways. And now, not.
outstanding the previous decision of
his committee, |, as its executive Of
icer, will again convene il IL 1t be the
sense of the party expressed through
The members of the county committees
hat II state convention ought to be
.alled to consider the special question
bef9ye Indicated
Your committee at it's former meet
ng was actuated by u sense of duty
md devotion to the Democratic party,
and here presents you-possessed of
he AIN sacred trust-sOme of the
'easons which influenced its decision
lot to call an extraordinary conven-
lion.
Its motives have been assaulted and
mpugned. 1t has been urged to recon
vene and reconsider it's action. And
low, Notwithstanding the previous de-
.ision of this committee, |, as it's exec
itive officer, will again convene it if it
~ the sense of the party expressed
through the members of the
county committees that Il state
convention ought to be called
% consider the question before in
Heated. The sources demanding
= convention insist that it can only
be regular through the call of the
state committee; and should the state
committee determine to call a conven-
ion upon again assembling, impressed
IS it is so strongly with its wan of
authority to do so, it feels the neces-
'ity for the justification Of its action
m the majority vote Of the regularly
constituted officers of the party in each
county of the state. If, therefore, it
is the desire of your committee that
further action be taken by the state
central committee, please have your
committee indicate its pleasure and
transmit the same to this committee
IN the inclosed blank in the manner
ll--.. 4