Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-25
VA, SATURDAY. MAY 25 1896

the principles and pollcy OF the poiihcai
orPynlzation which Is devoted to the
maintenance OF popular government In
its purity and simplicity, and which for
nearly a century has borne the name
OF the Democratic party.
Il realize that there exists I'm some
quarters a disposition to modify the old
fashioned principles OF democracy a de-
sire TO enlarge the functions OF govern
ment by the assumption Of unusual OF
doubtful powers, heretofore, wholly or
partially unexercised, leading plainly In
the direction OF paternalism, pointing the
path 10 stronger, centralized government.
and paving the way for large standing
army and an enormous and powerful
navy. maintained at a tremendous ex-
pense 10 the people; disposition to sane
tlon the pernicious practices OF govern
mental bounties and subsidies to private
individuals and interests TO which our
opponents especially seem fully COM
mtted; a growing tendency TO look to
the General Government for remedy
for all the Ills to which the body polite
is unfortunately subject; an inclination
to usurp the revenues which properly
belong TO the States by the imposition
OF Federal income taxes, laid directly, and
not according to population as required
by the Constitution. and an ostentatous
proneness under the assumed garb Of
patriotic fervor and intense Americanism.
too foolishly embroil this country In
quarrel with foreign countries without
justifiable cause or even plausible or suf-
ficient excuse.
DANGEROUS TENDENCIES.
"These dangerous tendencies, recently
exhibited were not inherited from our
Democratic forefathers, and can find no
warrant in true Democratic teachings.
tp T1eu.f.rraffc and QnpCRrfed de-
mands for material army and navy en-
Engagements at this time. when Treasury
deficit Is already staring US in the face,
and which seemingly can only be supplied
by additional taxation. lead to the suspi-
cion that II is desired. not so much for
the legitimate purposes OF national de
fence as by corporate Interests for He
climate interference in labor controver-
sizes in the States with or without the
consent OF the authorities thereof. but.
whatever may be the motives which in
splre these demands. and which are par
TALLY concealed BEND vociferous profess
tations Of desire for the public welfare
and sollcitude for the honor and safety
OF the country, the fact remains that
the people. upon whom tile burden must
ultimately fall, view these demands with
anxiety, and grave doubts Of their pro-
priety, and insist that the utmost caution
'iiAh DN ki9NN ~ N''N'A NaAoNNiSh iAN'
law.
SILVER QUESTION.
1.-THE question that is now creating the
most burning issue in our national poll
tics Is the silver question, and OF that /
wish to say a few words. II the reso-
lutions adopted by the delegates to the
national conventions held by each of the
two great parties in 1892 and the resolu-
tons adopted by those same parties repre-
scented in the several State conventions
Of 1894 are an indication, IL IL plain that
the voters Of the country generally prefer
the bimetallc system Of coinage that
prevailed in the United States before 1873.
"In 1892 there was not much difference
in that regard between the resolutions
Of the two great parties. The Republi-
can resolutions use the word 'blmetallism,
and hence the Republican State platforms
Of 1894 use that word more frequently
than do the Democratic, but both refer
TO free bimetallic coinage. Nearly all
that refer to a ratio mention 16 Few. II
any, of the Democratic State platforms
refer expressly TO international co-opera-
ton. but a half dozen Republican plat
forms do.
zone or two Democratic conventions
insist on Immediately opening our minis
to both metals, without awaiting Euro
pean consent. Nearly every one-Demo-
cratic and Republcan-demands parity
in purchasing and debt-paying power OF
the coined dollars. If any divergence be-
tween the resolutions il TO be discerned,
Il is in the more positive tone ard temper
OF some OF the western conventions in
respect TO absolute parity and equivalence
Of the dollars. | do not see how any
fair-minded European, reading these reso-
lutions, no matter by which State or
party convention adopted can infer that
our voters intend 20 coin O-cent silver
dollars. or make a half dollar TO be
dollar in paying debts.
81 do not think tina, i. majority OF
either party in any State advocate coin
age laws which the advocates believe will
produce a silver dollar of less value,
in fact, than the gold dollar. Those who
urge an Immediate opening Of our minis
TO silver on A ratio OF l6 really fancy,
30 far as the majority are concerned, that
the United States can, alone and unaided,
do as much for silver now as bimatallic
France did from 1893 TO 1873. | think that
impOssible-at least. under present con-
ditions. ] do believe that the concerted
laws OF the principal governments Of the
world combined can. on a ratio Of ID IL,
determine and maintain the relative value
everywhere Of coined or uncoined silver
and gold Upon that belief | shall act
till Il Is overthrown by facts"
Senator Hin was Obliged 10 stop fire.
quently, owing 10 outbursts Of applause
on the mart Of his hearers