The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-07
GOVERNOR STONE FOR SILVER
He Writes an Interesting Letter to the
I[linOiS Convention.

lie HTies an Interesting Letter to the
Illinois Contention.
SPRINGFIELD, ILL, . ne 6.-The let
ter written by Governor Stone of Missouri
In answer to a letter written him by Gov
ernor Altgeld inviting him to attend the
silver convention was read at the Demo-
cratic convention last night. Governor
Stone expressed regret at his inability to
be present, and added:
The struggle upon which you are entering is
to be the most momentous and important in
yolvlng more American people than any which
has occurred since the close OF our civil war
The demand for the restoration of silver coin
age comes from the common people. The peo-
pie who ask this boon are the industrial
masses of the country. Those who toll
in the field and shop constitute the
forces behind the movement / do not
say that all who belong to that class
favor the free coinage of silver, but do assert,
without fear OF sincere or intelligent con-
tradiction that the demand for silver coinage
is supported by those who labor for liveli.
hood-who are personally engaged in some
field of industrial employment. It Is the de-
mand of the common people. 1 believe large
majority of the American citizens are on that
side of the question. On the other hand
we find in gorgeous battle array the host
of plutocracy. do not say, for it is not true,
that every man who flashes his sword under
the standard of gold is plutocrat, or that all
such are Indifferent to the honor or welfare of
the country. But do say that the aggregate
and concentrated wealth of the Countrywide
moneyed Observation-Disclosures, directs and
controls the forces arrayed against those who
are in the battle for bimetallism.
do not believe that the ascendency of that
influence is calculated to promote the happi-
ness of the people or the well being of the
country, for have observed no evidence of re-
form in the character aud disposition of the
money changers since Christ scourged them
from the temple. But the power of
money is enormous. 1t exercises a stu
pendous influence. 1t is vigilant, alert
resourceful and INSCRIPTIONS. 1t can
attract the bright and the most influential men
to its side. 1t can control the great metropoli-
tan class, which is the most powerful, politi-
cally, in the republic. 1t can dupe, contami-
nate and debauch every source of power-the
people themselves. Money is king-a heart
less, sordid, british king.
The people reseht its suppressive and debas-
ing rule, but subjugation is as probable as VIC
tory. The opposition is compact, confident
and aggressive. There Will be no division in
its ranks.
Every effort will be made to excite discord
and dissension among us. The reason will be
found in our midst and trusted leaders will be
betrayed. Our greatest danger will be in the
lack of cohesion and cooperation. The battle
to be fought will be struggle of giants, and
it involves more of veal or woe, present and
future, to the American people than any
struggle which they have engaged in for q
generation. In this tremendous combat it is
fortunate that the great State of Illinois, on
whose bosom sleep the ashes of Lincoln and
Douglas, two great champions of the common
DpOp1p. shall take the lead The n al hog
your gallant Democracy will send forth will
stir the hearts of our people with hope and
courage and the fervor of patriotism. You
deserve to be most heartily congratulated.