The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-09-26
THE RESULTS OF THE SILVER
CONVENTION.

CONVENTION.
The results that will come out of the
Silver Convention are clearly to be seen,
now that the smoke has cleared away.
1t has simplifed the situation. 1t has
served to convince those Democratic in
nocents, who have been harboring be-
lief that the Populists were anxious to
get back into the Democratic party, that
their belief had no foundation. Their
eyes are now open to the fact that the
Democratic party's only chance of sus-
cess is in standing firmly by the princi-
plies of the party without hoping for Pop
ulist support in an organized capacity.
If the convention had done nothing else,
this would be a distinct advantage. Just
a. long as any considerable number of
Democrats believe thai. the Populist par
ty, in its organized capacity, can be in
duced to help the Democratic party, just
so long will it be i npossible to thorough
ly organize the Democracy for aggressive
action. This convention showed that
Butler had the Populist party local lead
ers in the hollow of his hand, and could
trade with them for. personal gain in
1896 as he did in 1894
The resolution was adopted in the
shape that Butler insisted upon because
that crafty politician determined TO
separate every Democrat, who fully en-
dorsed if, from his party He knew that in
its terms it excluded Democrats who en-
dorsed it from their primaries and con-
ventions, and put them out of the pale
of their party. That was what he wanted
to do and that was why he would con-
sent to no amendments. 81 am good
silver man." said Democrat, "but /
will not vote for anything that will tie nay
hands and prevent my fighting for silver
in the Democratic ranks That was Buffers
trap, and | declined to be caught in it,"
This expresses the sentiment of nearly
every silver Democrat in Raleigh and
most of those who attended the Conven
ton. 1t was this deliberate purpose to
tie the hands of Democrats in order to
make political capital for the Populi8ts
in mon partisan" conference that hon
est Democrats resented.
II.
The action of the Convention showed
that the Populist leaders, big and little, are
still for fat money, socialism, Coxeyism,
Pafferism and the other "isms," more
than they are for free silver. II wouldn't
give snap of my finger for free silver, :"
was the remark of the late Col. l.. J..
Polk, by all odds the honestest and man
lest man who has ever been connected
with the ''Reform" movement. "We
are for free silver as peg to tie to-"
was Senator Buffers recent remark
touching the financial question. Amy
argument that is good for gold or silver
is good for paper money" is fayorite
expression with leading Populists. "No
party with single issue deserves to
live Free silver is only a part Of the
financial scheme of relief to which the
Populist party is committed" is a late
utterance Of Senator PETER.
The Peoples party platform, adopted at
Omaha, July 4, 1892, made this declara-
ton:
"We demand a national currency,
safe. sound and flexible, issued by the
general government only, full legal
tender for all debts, pubic and private
and that without the use of banking
corporations, just, equitable and eff
ficient means of distribution direct TO
the people at tax not to exceed 2 per
cent. per annum, to be provided as set
forth IN the sub treasury plan of the
Farmers Alliance, or better system
also by payments in discharge of its
obligations for pubic improvements. "
Having in mind these statements of
the Populist leaders, and the declara-
ton OF the National Populist party, Hon.
Charles NJ Cooke and other Democrats
xrouo 70 iDsn hapdo NTH tha