The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-03-06
In SiIyer's Cause.
Silver Democrats to Organize
and Capture the Party.

WASHINGTON, March 1.-Represeo-
tative Bryan of Nebraska abandoned at
a late hour this afternoon, his inteD-
ton Of securing a conference of the
free silver Representatives and Sen
ators with a view to issuing a call to
the democrats Of the country. laying
down the proposition that a majority
of the Democrats favor the free and
unlimited coinage of silver. and calling
upon this majority to take control of the
party organization.
He decided, instead. to circulate the
call among such of the House Demo-
Gratis as favor the free coinage of sill
yer, With a veiw to securing their en-
dorsement. About twenty gentlemen
had signed at the hour Of adjourn
meut. These we're representatives of
fifteen States, Mr.. Bryan's purpose
being to widen interest in the call as
much as possible. A number ofDeno-
Gratis declined to sign. for one reason
or another, but MIR. Bryan believes that
in the end a very considerable number
will afhx their signatures to the paper.
A copy of the call vii! also be circulat-
ed 10 the Senate tomorrow. 1t is pre-
scented only to Democrats and not to
Populists or free-silver Republicans.
Mr.. Bryan believes that if this mat
ter be squarely presented to the Demo
cratic voters Of the country, the effect
will be seen 10 the party organization IN
future campaigns, and that it will re-
suit in giving the control of the party
machinery to men who really represent
the majority-namely, the free silver
element.
The call is addressed go the Demo
Gratis of the United States, and reads
as follows:
We the undersigned Democrats, pre-
sent for your consideration the follow.
ing statement We believe that the es-
Enlistment Of gold as the only none.
tary standard aud the elimination of
silver as a full legal tender money will
increase the purchasing power of each
dollar, ado to the burden Of all debts,
decrease the market value Of all other
forms of property, continue aud inten-
sify business depression, and finally, re-
duce the majority Of the people to finan-
cial bondage.
We believe that no party an hope
for enduring success iu the United
States so long as it advocates a single
gold standard. aud that the advocacy of
such a policy would be especially fatal
to a party which, like the Democratic
party. derives its voting strength from
those who may without %reproach be
called the common people, aud We point
to the Overwhelming defeat Of the party
in 1894. to the 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 to
the support of the gold standard bolicy.
We believe that the money question
will be the paramount issue in 1896
and will so remain until it is settled by
the intelligence and patriotism Of the
American voters. We believe that a
large majority of the Democrats of the
United States favor bimetalism and
realize that it can only be secured By
the restoration Of the free and unlimited
coinage of gold and silver at the present
ratio and we assert that the majority
have, and should exercise. the right to
control the policy of the party and re.
tain the party name. We believe hat
it is the duty of the majority aud within
their power to take charge of the party
organization and make the Democratic
party an effective instrument in the &C.
complishmeut of needed reforms.
It is not necessary that the Demo.
Gratis should surrender their con VIC
tons on other questions in order to
take an active part in the settleuent
of the question which at this time aur-
passes all others in importance.
We believe that the rank and file of
the Democratic party should at once
assert themselves in the Democratic
party and place the party on record
in favor of the immediate restoration of
the free and unlimited coinage of gold
and silver at the present ratio of 16 to
l., as such coinage existed prior to 1873
Without waiting for the aid or consent
Of any other nation, such gold and sill
yer coin to be a full legal tender for all
debts public and private.
We urge all Democrats who favor
the financial policy above set forth to
associate themselves and impress their
views upon the party organization ; we
urge all newspapers 10 harmony with
the above financial policy to place 1t
a. the head of the editorial columns
and assist in the immediate restoration