The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-05-24
CATCHINGs MADE CHAIRMAN.
OreanizattOn of the COnvention-Twt
Brief. Pointed Speeches.

OfeanizattOn OF the tDnCeuftou-TWO
Brief. Pointed Speeches.
Upwards of three thousand people were
present at the Auditorium al 2l5 o'clock.
when Chairman w. j. Crawford called the
convention to order. While the gathering
was effectng organization and getting
down to business the crowd gradually filled
up the vacant seats, and By the time Secre-
tary Carlisle began his address the large
hall was comfortably filled. Mr. Crawford,
in his capacity chairman of the commit
tee of fifteen appointed by the associated
mercantile bodies OF Memphis under whose
auspices the convention was held, called the
meeting 10 order In few appropriate
words the delegates and visitors were wei
coined TO Memphis. the purposes of the con-
vention were stated and the work Of organi-
zation begun.
Alr. Richard II. Clarke, of Alabama pre-
sented the name of Congressman Catchings
for permanent chairman in neat and high
ly complimentary speech. This convention,
said Mr.. Clarke. was evidence that the
people do not believe in debasel 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 a money metal
but would not deliver the country to a syn
dicate OF mine owners or place in jeopardy
the business interests of the country be-
cause of a craze, a condition OF public SEN
tinent which he likened to 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 success
sion all the political and economic heresies
that had been before the people i'm the past
decade. The present outcry he likened TO
ulists in recent years, and their fallacies,
he declared. would soon be buried i'm the
Ocala warehouse. He had great confidence
in the judgment and good sense of the
Southern people. Two-thirds of the product
OF that section must be sold in foreign coun-
tries 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 fictitious
value on silver. Mr.. Clarke eulogzed Pres-
dent Cleveland and Secretary Carlisle his
remarks arousng the first outburst of
thusiasm seen in the convention. The
cheering at the mention of the Presidents
name was particularly hearty and protract-
ed In conclusion he presented the name
or Congressman Catchings for permanent
gentlemans public record on the money
question and assuring the convention of his
eminent fitness for the position of presiding
officer.
MIR. CATCHINGS'S SPEECH.
The selection of Mr.. Catchings was made
by an unanimous viva voce vote, and the
Congressman accepted the honor in grace
full speech. He said:
Gentlemen of the Convention-There
come times in the life OF a man when words
emotions by which he is moved Such a
time has now crossed my path. Could / live
forever l could not sufficiently express 90
my friend from Alabama the impression
which his warm words have left within me.
Gentlemen, in my Judgment. no conven-
ton that ever assembled met Tor a nobler or
from almost every Southern State. coming
from every walk in life. representing. as
you do. all vocations, industries and condi-
tions in life, | speak the truth that not
man has come here to advance a personal
end or selfish motive. Relieving that the
free and Independent coinage of silver
at the Is to | ratio would be disastrous to
all private and public interests, We have
laid aside our private affairs for the time to
take counsel together how best TO prevent
it. The character of the delegates TO this
convention is far beyond the reach of cap
tiCus criticism and adverse comment. This
body is composed of the great mass Of hon
est, intelligent patriotic citizens. If we are
right. We are not only right now. but we
are eternally right. We have assembled to
give testimony in open chruch to the faith
that is i'm 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. III Is said. for
instance. that We are monometallists. Let
us here end now place the lie upon that
charge. (Applause.) 1t has been said, again.
that we seek TO so contract the currency
that prices will fall. Let us stamp that
also as lie. Let pass a series of resolu-
tions that will be our declaration Of faith.
and then challenge any man to put other
words on our lips Let us, when this con-
vention shall have adopted these resolu-
Lions. adjourn and 90 to our homes with the
determination TO stand by them. Let us or
ganize ourselves into movement militant
and not quieseent; for. believing, as We dc.
failed at all times to let Views be
known. Let nail our colOrs TO the mast
head and let the old ship go her coursa
| regardless of the obstacles that We NAV en-
counter. having faith that with truth as
our guide We viii reach our destination
| safely.
Gentlemen OF the convention. eve should
| take heart at the fact that our views are
sanctioned by all the great people OF this
] country outside OF political life. Suppose we