The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-06-19
SILVER y
Small Army of Men Attend
the Convention at
Memphis
Greater Number of Delegates
From the Agricultural
.e Element.
The Masses Of tho People in Open
Rebellion Against 0espot-
~. ism. -.
Senator Turpie, oil indiana, Was Chosen
Permanent Chairman..Hjs
Senator Turpie, of indiana, Was Chosen
Permanent Chairman..His
Address.

Memphis, Tenn, June 12.-When w.
N. Brown, chairman of the Central BIZ
metallic League of Shelby county, Tenn,
let fall his gavel in the Auditorium at 2
O'Clock this afternoon, he faced an army
whom had sworn allegiance to the cause
of silver. Although it was an army
without banners it was not without in
sigma. On the breast of every soldier
was badge bearing the words, "16 to L.
At the top was a picture of silver
dollar. Nothing more was needed to
tell why the big assemblage, the. greater
portion Of which was made up of the
agricultural element, had left home, al
most in the midst of the harvest season,
and faced the Establishments Of June
sun In Tennessee.
It was in some respects an ill-assorted
crowd. having one thing only in COM
mon. but that one thing made brothers
of them all. Senators and governors
4uOOCu uOoCS With 1CO-AoCCO AACA WAAOoC
brown hands showed plainly the marks
of the pillow, and the Populist politicians,
with odd growths on their chins, shook
hands with Democrats and Republicans.
OF the latter there were several in the
convention. Twenty-six states and ter
ritories were represented in delegations
varying from half dozen to a half
thousand. In the main it was South
ern affair, every state in Dixie being rep
resented. All the silver producing
states also took part, as did number of
the Western states and one middle state
Pennsylvania.
On the platform, behind the chair
man, sat distinguished assemblage, in
Guiding not less than round dozen sem
ators and as many governors and ex-gov-
ernors, with sprinkling Of congressman
and lesser political lights. There was
no room for state representatives on the
platform, and they were obliged to con-
tent themselves with seats in their re-
spective delegations. Every state sent
. majority Of its lawmakers.
The Auditorium Hall, where the con-
vention was held, was quite inadequate
to hold the crowd, and overflow meet
ings were arranged for this afternoon
and tonight. At the former c. S. Thomp-
son, of Missouri, was slated to speak; at
the latter, Senator Wolcott. The dele
gates themselves were numerous enough
to cover the entire lower floor, and spec
tators, of whom there were many, could
not gain admission and were obliged to
content themselves with the galleries.
The delegations spent the morning in
getting badges and organizing. 1t kept
three men busy handing out the red rib
bon which furnished the only credential
of the convention. The majority of the
delegates were we'll informed men, rep
resentative in their own districts, but
queer politicians came down from the
hills.
The delegations, each of which is en-
titled to select one vice president of the
convention and one member on the COM
mittee Of resolutions, was the work of
the morning.
Chairman Brown did not say much in
calling the convention to order. The
salutatory was delivered by Col. Young
later on. L. H. Estes, of Memphis, Of
fered I'D free silver prayer and then it
was Mr.. Young's turn.
Col. Casey Young, of Memphis, in well
coming the assemblage, spoke In part as
follows:
II salute the representatives to this
convention as the advance guard Of that
mighty army now marshaling it's forces
in every land to do battle for the over
throw and destruction of a power more
ruthless and rapacious and more hurt
full to human happiness and prosperity
than any despot that ever shackled lib
erty and oppressed mankind. l greet
you representatives as the forerunners
of the countless legionS now gathering
from the field Of labor and industry
throughout the world to demand the res
toration Of that financial system ap-
proved by the wisdom and experience Of
all the centuries of civilization. When
only a few days ago the objects and
aims of this convention were denounced
from this stage by distinguished pub
lie man as rebellious and revolutionary
he proclaimed truth as sublime as ever
fell from the lips of man. The sturdy,
honest yeoman of the land, the busy
toiler in the fields and shops, the patient
artisans who are building up the nation
wealth and greatness, are in open rebel
lion against despotism, cruel and re-
morseless as any that ever brought sor-
row and suffering to any member of the
human family. The forces Of the grand
est revolution that ever hurled despot
from power are gathering 70 ran onset
that will sweep every enemy into the
dark sea Of defeat.
1.-THE invincible legions which lead It
will never halt until their standards are
planted on the shores of every sea and
their banners float in triumph over old
England herself. They will never low
Ell their flags nor sheathe their swords
until the mighty conflict Is ended and a
glorious victory won.
s'Not until all the temples of Mammon
are turned into sepulchres for the burial
Of greed and avarice and let us hope for
the sake of suffering humanity, that no
angel of resurrection will ever unseal
this tomb, can these things be brouRht
about? The descendants Of heroes and
patriots are to send forth another declara-
ton Of independence to all the nations OF
the world In fixing their own financial
system and in legislating for the good and
happiness Of their own people.