Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-09-15

tempted TO rivo what / understood TO
b. lis contention. II the speakers at
thnt convention, Governor Culberscn
and others. did aot moan to say that
the Democratic party was committed
to the free colna1e Of silver at the ratio
of 10 to |, by a platform, we would like
20 ask what they were here at Fort
Worth trying TO do, Were they trying
to make a platform for the national
Democracy They pretended to be
making plain and rearHertinB the
party doctrine as thew understood II.
Now. in his article OF tile 13th IN the
Gazette, News and Republic, he denies
that he was contending for any such
position: that the national Democracy
had ever by platform declared for the
free coinage OF silver at 10 to ]. The
advocates Of sound money In Texas
would no doubt be willing to the free
and unlimited coinage OF silver upon
the present commercial ratio between
the two metals. taking the markets OF
the world; Notwithstanding they do not
believe that the parity thus establish
ed could be maintained for any con-
siderable time. On the other hhnd the
advocates OF free and unlimited coin
age OF silver at iG to 1 are unable 20
demonstrate that such ratio can be
maintained and the intrinsic and eN-
changeable value of the two metals
kept upon parity. The opponents OF
the free coinage of silver upon the
ratio Of lG 10 have not become the adj
vocatea OF the single gold standard so
completely as Governor Culberaon
would have the eiblic to believe. The
Democratic party never at amy time In
history, has advocated the use Of gold
or silver as redemption money, unless
the intrinsic and eNchanReable value
OF the two metals as coined were prnc-
tlcalIy the same, and | challenge Gov
Dtt1taruar "a nd n hAafa nf frea
coinage people In Texas. Popullsts as
well as Democrats. TO point out sim
gle expression In the Democratic par
tvs platforms that would lead to n
different conclusion.
do not feel disposed to deny the as
sertion OF the governor that 1 am In tho
minority In the Democratic party In
Texas on the question Of the free colin
age OF silver. The question OF whether
| would or would not be with the ma
iority or minority has never given me
any trouble whatever. am adyo-
eating what | honestly believe to be
right. for the best interests Of this
country. for the honor and Integrity of
the nation. and the perpetuntlon OF
sound Democratic principles. and
whenever lind Governor Culberson
with the minority on any question |
win be surprised as no doubt he Is sur
prlscd at my position: but | will accord
TO him honesty Of purpose In the posi-
tlon that he assumes.
As TO whether the Corsicann resolu-
rons are sound and susceptible OF de-
monstratlnn. / have no doubt. but 1t
would consume too much time to under
take II In this short communication,
Governor Culberson's assertion that
the United states bonds were legally
payable In lawful money" OF the Uni
ted states IL correct lie Is also cor
rect when he says That congress de-
clared them payable In the coin Of the
United States; but In this I deny that
there was any fraud upon the people
or wrong done them whatever. The
United states government had gone
INTO the markets Of the world and sold
| her bonds for gold,
II Is true that the purchaser bought
them at n discount. The purchaser no
doubt taking into consideration the war
that was then being carried on between
| the states. the uncertainty of It's final
! termination. the uncertainty OF the
| amount OF the indebtedness that would
be Incurred by the United States dur
Ing that war. the ability OF the United
States TO promptly meet Its obllga-
tons and the honor ana Integrity Of
the people OF the United States In pay
| ing the same. I do not claim to be
| familiar with the legislation upon the
subject. but | cannot comprehend why
| II would be dishonest upon the part OF
| the people OF the United States TO pay
| the said bonds In gold coin, the same
| kind OF money that they were sold for,
together with the interest thereon. The
| fact that silver was dempnetlged by
| the act OF 1873. In my opinion. had no
| connection whatever with the act OF
congress declaring the bonds payable
| In coin. Now ! may ask the governor
6lnd his associates IL he believes II
| 10 be honest, lust and right to pay the
| bonds OF the United states that Were
| sold for gold IN silver dollars that are
| not lntrlnsicnlly worth sixty cents or
the dollar In the markets OF the world
Would you not believe or consider the
same a species OF reputation by this
great government OF It's obligations
and do you not believe also that sucf
course would destroy the credit Of
this great nation. an well ms destroy
the credit OF the people OF this country
! and make II next TO impossible, SHOULD
We ever engage In another war, fol
this nation to 90 Into the market,
Of the world and borrow money witt
which to defend our flag. maintain on
liberty and preserve the principles o
n free people?
Governor Culbcrson fails TO poln
out the platform OF the Democrats
party which opposes the PRINCIPLES ad
| N'laAfu ~ iho NNiA NAlh hNhpNliNNN- II
does point out that the votes OF larg
majority OF the Democratic member
OF congrcss recorded since the resump
tion OF silver coinage had become M
issue In American politics, are dinmet
really opposed to what [ DO bC
licve TO be correct financial Legislation
but he must not forget that every cor
gresham who voted on this questio
IL not infalliblc. The Democratic part
MS party has at different times n
doubt been wrong. II has wandere
from the correct path In some In
stnncea, we must all admit. but IL ha
never been so foolish or insincere n
to declare for n financial policy tina
cannot be defended by reason and logii
ana l am glad to know that althoug
II has been tempted with i6 TO
plank. II had the courage 10 refuse 1
and 10 place In the platfonm instea