The Washington times., 1895-03-02
Signed by Democrats in the
House from Fifteen States.
NO EFFORT FOR A CAUCUS
The Document Was Made Public Yesterday
They Believe Single Gold Standard Es-
pecially Fatal to Party Which Derives
It's Voting Strength from tho Common
People-Money the Great Issue in 1896.

The Democratic silver manifesto, which
of the House for few days. was made
public yesterday
While it has teen generally circulated
for the consideration of members, there
was no attempt to secure signatures until
late hour, because the prime movers In
the matter We're undecided whether to
call a caucus for discussion of the matter
or to secure signatures and issue it directly
TO the public.
In consideration of the short time left
and the pressure of business, it was deter
mined not to have a conference Repre-
sentative members from fifteen States
signed the declaration yesterday at the
instance of Mr.. Bryan, but the canvass is
so far very incomplete, and the list of
sfgners will not be made public until it is
complete. The paper follows:
To the Democrats of the United States:
I'VE, the undersigned Democrats, pre-
sent for your consideration the following
statement: We believe that the establish
ment OF gold as the only monetary stand
ard and the elimination of silver as a. full
chasing power of each dollar, add to the bur
den of all debts, decrease the market value
OF all other forms of property. continue
and intensity business depession, and,
finally, reduce the majority of the people
TO financial bondage.
NO HOPE FOR ENDURING SUCCESS.
I'VE believe that no party can hope for
enduring success in the United States so long
as it advocates single gold standard,
and that the advocacy of such financial
policy would be especially fatal to party
which. like the Democratic party, derives
its voting strength from those who may,
without Teproach, be called the common
people, and we point TO the overwhelming
defeat of the party in 1894, tothe opposition
aroused by the veto OF the seigniorage bill,
and to the still more unanimous protest
against the issue of gold bonds as proof
that the Democratic party cannot be brought
10 the support of the gold standard policy.
We believe that the money question viii
be the paramount issue in 1896, and viii
so remain until it is settled by the intel Ii
gence and patriotism of American voters.
We believe that a large majority or
the Democrats of tie United States favor
bimetalism and realize that il can only be
secured by the restoration of the free and
unlimited coinage OF gold and silver at the
ititiOf my
have and should exercise the right to control
the policy ofthe party and retain the party
name.
We believe that it is the duty of the ma
jority and within their power to take
charge of the party organization and make
the Democratic party an effective instru-
ment in the accomplishment Of needed re-
forms.
DEMOCRATS AND THEIR CONVICTIONS.
Tits not necessary that Democrats should
surrender their convictions on other ques-
tions in,order to take an active part in the
settlement Of the question which at this
time surpasseS all others in Importance
I'VE believe that the rank and file of the
Democratic party should at once assert
themselves in the eDemoCraticpart and place
the party on record in favor of the immediate
restoration Of the free and unlimited coin
age of gold and silver at the present legal
ratio of 16 to 1, as such coinage existed
prior to 1875, without waiting for the
aid or consent o any other nation, such gold
and silver coin to be a fun legal tender for
all debts, public and private.
I'VE urge all Democrats who favor the
financial policy above set forth to associate
themselves together and impress their views
upon the party organization: we urge all
newspapers in harmony with the above
financial policy to place 1t at the head of the
editorial column. and assist in the immediate
restoration OF bimetalism.