The Van Buren press., 1895-03-09
4 Ms~a6A4s ~ Densnsfie Lea1eu =
fhe msase.

4 Msml6s1e ~ Denous1ie LeeAU =
WAsHIxG1ox, March L-nbe
Denoersaie silrer maniIesto-
xhich hsx been the chief topic of
|fslk on that side Of the House for
Il few days. HAs made public
fodsy. While II has seen general
ly circuiafed for the consideration
0f the members, there was DO
attempt TO secure signatures
until . iase hour. because the
prime movers in the matter we're
undecided whether 10 cal 3
caucus for discussion CT the
matter or to secure signsfurek or
issue directly 10 The pubic La
consideration Of the time left aDd
the pressure Of business il Was
determined not 70 hare . confer
enee. Representative members
from fifteen states signed the
declaIsiion today II the instance
of Bryan, but the csnrass il 90
Ear very incomplete and the list OF
signerx viii not be made public
until ii il complete The paper ID
~ follow:
To ne Democrats Of tine United snaex.
sWe, the undersigned Demo
crats, present for your consider
sfi0n, the following statement
sWe believe that the establish,
Dent Of gold as the only monetary
standard aud the eliminstlon OF
silver - full legal tender money
will increase the purchasing
power of each dollyr. add TO the
burdens Of al debts, decrease
the market saiue Of all other
forms of property, continue and
intensity the business depression
and finally reduce the majority 0i
people TO financial bondage.
@We believe no party can bop<
for enduring suceess in the United
States as long as it adroestes q
single gold standard, and the
advocacy Of such . policy would bt
disastrous, especially to the party
which. like the Democratic party
derives its voting strength from
those who may without reprosei
be called the common people; and
We point TO the overwhelming
defeat of the party in 1894, to the
opposition aroused by the reto oi
the seigniofsge bill, sud TO tb,
still more unanimous protes
against the issue of gold bonds
as Q proof that the Democratic
party cannot be brought TO sup
port Of the gold standard policy
I'VE believe that the none,
question will be the paramount
issue in 1896, snd will SO remain
until it il settled by the intelli
gence and patriotism of the
American voters. We believe
thxt . large majority Of the Demo
Gratis of the United States fayo
bi-metalism, and realize that ]
can only be secured by th'
restoration Of free aud unlimite,
! coinage Of gold and silver at th'
present ratio, aud we assert tina
! the majority has and should exer
the right TO control the policy O
the party, and retain the part.
name.
1We believe that it il the dut
Of the majority, and within thei
power, to take charge Of tb'
party organization and make tb
Democratic party the efYectiy,
instrument 10 the accomplishment
Of the needed reform.
| ut 10 NOT necessary for me t
state that Democrats shoul,
surrender their convictions o.
other questions In order to tax
sctive part in the question whic
st this time surpasses all other
ia importance. We believe tha
the rank and file of the part
should ct once assert themselve
in the Democratic party and plac
LIT on record In favor Of immedist
restoration Of the free an
Unlimited coinage Of gold AM
silver at the present legal rati
Of sixteen TO one, ~ such coinsg
existed prior to 1873, withou
waiting for the aid or consent {
any other nation; such gold an
silver coin 10 be q full legal tende
, for all debts, public and private
1--WE urge all Democrats VIII
favor the financial policy abov
set forth 10 associate themselve
Together and impress their view
upon the party organization. W
: urge all newspapers in harmon
with the above financial polio
.. to place 1t ct the head Of the
editorial column and assist In Il
, immediate restoration Of /
, metalisn,."