Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-03-14
silver Manifesto.

OUT Dy MT. BrSan ana Other Demo-
Gratis Of the House of Representa-
tivcs just before the adjournment of
Congress. 1t seems to express the
views Of II large majority OF the
Democrats Of both houses of the
late Congress, but for some reason
was not numerously signed. The
question presented is now the all alb
sorbing issue before the people and
must bc met and decided. We are
for the coinage Of both metals.
n" me Democrats Of the United
States:
We, the undersigned Democrats,
present for your consideration the
following statement:
We believe that the establishment
OF gold as the only monetary stand
ard and the elimination of silver as
tull legal tender money will add to
the burden Of all debts, decrease the
market value of all other forms of
property ana continue and intensity
the business depression and finally
reduce majority of the people to
financial bondage.
We believe that no party can hone
for enduring success in the United
States SO long as it advocates a single
gold standard, that the advocacy of
such financial policy would be es-
pecially ruin0us to party, which,
ike the Democratic party, derives
its voting strength from those who
may without reproach be called the
common people, and we point to the
overwhelming defeat of the party in
1871 as caused by opposition aroused
ny the veto of the seigniorage bill,
and to the still more unanimous pro-
test against the issue of gold bonds,
as proof that the Democratic party
can not be brought to the support of
the gold standard policy.
We believe the money question to
he the paramount issue for 1896, and
will so remain until it is settled by
the intelligence and patriotism of
the American voters. We believe
that large majority of the Demo-
Gratis of the United States favor bI.
metalism, and realize that it can only
he secured by the restoration and un-
limited coinage of gold and silver at
the present ratio, and believe the ma
jority has eXerted and should exert
its efforts to control the policy of the
party and retain the party name.
We believe il is the duty Of the
majority, and within their power, to
take charge of the party organiza-
ton and make the Democratic party
an effective instrument in the ac-
complishment of needed reforms
1t is not necessary that Democrats
should surrender their convictions on
other questions in order to take an
active part in the settlement of a
question which at this time sur
passes all others in importance.
We believe the rank and file of
the party should at once assert them
selves and place themselves on re-
cord in the Democratic party, and
place it on record in favor Of the i'm.
mediate restoration of the free and
unlimited coinage of gold and silver
at the present legal ratio Of Is to u,
as such coinage existed prior to 1873,
without waiting for the aid or con-
sent of any other nation, such gold
and silver coin to be full legal tender
for all debts, public and private
We urge all Democrats who favor
the financial policy above set forth
to associate themselves together and
impress their views upon the party
organization, and we urge al! news.
papers in harmony with the above
financial policy to place it at the
head of their editorial columns and
assist in the immediate restoration
of bimetalism.