The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1895-08-21

together, and for5the ,indisguised pur-
pose of inaugurating and promoting q
thorough and systematic organization
of the Democratic masses, SO that they
may go forward as ono man with a
resolute purpose TO rescue the old par
ty founded by Thomas Jefferson from
plutocratic domination. sl'
Therefore, with this obje Efiinview,
this convention of Ameritean Demo
Gratis, composed of Representatives
from twenty-five of the leading States
of the Union, make the following de-
clarati0n on tho monetary question,
which has been forced into the leading
place among tho issues of today j
The Federal Constitution names sill
ver and gold together as the money
metals Of the United States. Tho first
coinage law passed by Congress under
the Constitution made the silvor dollar
the unit of value and admitted gold-to
free. coinage at q ratio measured by
tho silver dollar unit.
From the beginning Of tho govern
ment, following a policy formulated
by Thomas Jefferson and firmly es.
tablished by Jackson, the Democratic
party has been the party of bimetal-.
lism, favoring tho free coinage Of both
silver and gold at the national mints,
and opposed to q farming out to bank
corporations the governments sovcr-
cign power OF issuing and controlling
tho money Of the people.
The act Of 1878 dcmonetizing silver
was surreptitiously passed without the
approval or knowledge of the Ameri-
can people, and from tho time whom
the effect Of this act in fastening upon
this country the single gold standard
was understood, tho Democratic party
has consistently and persistently urged
that the gricvous wrong be righted.
Failure to accomplish this object
has resulted in tho steady apprecia-
ton of gold and q conspicuous fall in
tho price Of commodities produced by
tho people; heavy increase in the
burden of all debts, public aud pri-
yate; the enrichment of the money
lending class; paralysis Of industry,
and tho oimpoverishmento Of the people
and unexampled distress in all gold
standard countries. Experience has
shown that while, under the single
gold standard, there may be an occa-
sional revival of business, actively ac-
companicd by enhanced prices of a
limited number Of commodities, such
revival is duo 70 artificial and tenn
porary causes and cannot pcrmanent-
ly alleviate the sufferings due to the
falling Of prices brought about by The
appreciation Of gold and tho made
quate supply OF primary or redemption.
money.
The rights of the American people,
the interests of American labor, and
the prosperity Of American industry
have u higher claim to the considera-
ton of the peoples lawmakers thap
the greed of foreign creditors, or the,
avariciOus demands made by "idle
holders Of idle capital" The right to
regulate its own monetary system in
the interests Of its own people is a
right which no free government can
barter, sell or surrender. This re-
served right is part of every bond,
Of every contract and of every obliga-
ton. No creditor or claimant can set
up right that can take precedence
over a nations obligations to promote
the welfare of the masses of its pe1-
pie. This is debt higher and moro
binding than all other debts, and one
that it is not only dishonest, but trea-
sonable to ignore.
The land and its products are the
basis OF all developments and pros
perity. The productive capacity Of
a country must be the basis Of its
credit. In opposing tho policy ofcon-
traction, which must inevitably de-
preciate the value of land and its pro
ducts we are the supporter Of property
rights and sound credit, and Stand be-
tween the homes and estates Of the
people and the red flag Of the auction
eer. The policy Of gold monometal
lism has been characterized by repeat
cd and disastrous financial panics.
The farmers have found their prosper.
ity and Independence constantly wan
ing under it's blighting influence.
Manufacturers are interested too, for
they find the prices Of sale falling
below the cost Of tho production. Mer-
chants should oppose it, for with fall
ing prices they are often compelled to
soil for less than they paid for manu-
factured goods. Neither manufactur-
CT nor merchant can prosper unless
tho mass of consumers realize such
prices for their products and labor as
to supply themselves literally with
the necessities and luxuries Of life,
nor can the wage e-earner prosper, for
under depressed conditions there is
less and less competition for his labor.
The Democratic party is the tradition
al friend and champion Of bimctal-
lism. It's strength and power and
popularity have been largely built
upon its stcadfast opposition to the
demonetization Of silver money and
its record of unwearicd effort to re-
store it to its historic place rs q full
rnonnv mntol nnuol with cold Vho
effort at this late day to make it par
excellence the champion Of gold mono
has upheld and defender oi the crime
it has denounced, is an effort to dis
honor its record, its promises, and it's
principles. The moment tho Demo
cratic party is forced into this posi-.
ton, it heaps obloquy on its own past
and crowns its great adversary with
glory and honor.
Duty to the people requires that the
party Of the people continue the bat
tic for bimetallism until its efforts
are crowned with success; therefore,
bolt,
Resolved, That tho Democratic party
in national convention assembled.
should demand the free and unlimited
coinage of silver and gold into primary
or redemption money, at the ratio Of
IL to /, without waiting for the action
or approval Of any other nation.
Resolved, That it should declare its
irrevocable opposition to the
substitution for metallic money
of q panic breeding, corporations credit
currency, basel on q single metal, the
supDly Of which SO limited that IL