The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-29
SILVER KNIGHTS OF AMERICA
Democrats Secretly Organize to Secure the
Double Standard.

Democrats Secretly Organize to Secure the
Double Standard.
NEW YORK, n. Y, June 2s.-A Wash
ington special to the New York Press SAYS:
Although much discouraged by recent de-
feats in Ohio, Indiana, Missouri and other
States, the free-silver Democrats have de-
termined to make their last rally at Wash
ington in August. To avoid the danger of
future division in the party only an ex-
change of views will be permitted. The
adoption of a resolution in favor of the
free-silver clause is regarded as foregone
conclusion. The chief agency through
which the convention is to be manipulated
is by means of an order secret in all its
work and oath-bound.
This organization is called the Silver
| knights of America. 1t has ritual and
| passwords. The latter are changed every
six months, and men and women alike are
| admitted to membership.
| 1t is said by those who put great trust in
the secret operations of people held to-
gether under the solemnity of vows, that an
army is being silently recruited which will
make itself felt at the polls. In Ohio, In
diana, Kansas and many of the Southern
| States the Silver Knights of America are
said to be firmly established. Confidential
circulars are used by members to enlist
volunteers in the cause. These circulars
declare that unless the double standard is
adopted labor will be enslaved, thrift be
poverished and the liberty of the people
destroyed.
"The crime of 1872 is given prominence
and it is alleged that capital has organized
in London and New York to subsidize the
press, bribe and debauch public servants
and propagate the gold standard theory.
The necessity for organization among the
people to fight for silver. therefore, immi-
nent. The circular argues that the forma.
| ton of capitalistic societies must be met
| by combinations of like character, only
for different purpose. The order of the
| Silver Knights of America is to be the
machine whereby the cohorts of avarice
and oppression" are to be prevented from
destroying happiness and liberty.
From this glimpse into the innermosi
| recess of the new secret silver society, i,
will be seen that the conference at Wash
ington in August will be of the usua
wild-eyed character. 1t is causing great
deal of worry to the members of the ad
ministration, who see in it tremendous
| engine for the destruction of ex
listing Democratic organization. 1t is
| impossible for any number of free
silver Democrats to meet in conyen
| ton without wrangling. The de-
| feat of Senator Blackburn in Kentucky
the postponement of the date of holding
the State convention in Ohio, the temper
ary side-tracking of the silver movement
in Indiana and Missouri will be causes fol
bitter denunciation. The only semblance
OF victory which the free-silver men have
to congratulate themselves upon is that il
Illinois, but even there Governor AltgelC
| is so identified with the propaganda that
there is no comfort in the situation. The
purpose of the free-silver Democrats in
assem- bling at Washington is much the
same as was Coxey's. They want notoriety
and advertisement.