Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1895-05-30
SOUND MONEY MEN.
Unexpectedly Large Attendance
at the Memphis Convention.


feet Ovation-The Platform.
MEMPHIS, Tenn, May e4-The
Sound Money" convention, which
met here yesterday afternoon. was a
much bigger affair in point of attend
ance than the most sanguine of its
projectors had anticipated. There are
thousands of visitors in the city, and
the Auditorium, with its seating ca.
pacity of 5000, was taxed to accomo-
date the crowd seeking admission.
The delegates began to assemble at
the Auditorium shortly after o'clock
There were few men of national rep
utation in the columns that marched
up the aisles with military tread. but
those that were recognized came in for
q hearty greeting Gen. Thomas C.
Catchings, of Mississippi, who has
parted with his flowing beard since
the adjournment of congress, was un-
recognized at first, but when the as
semblage caught on to his identity it
made the rafters ring. Others who
came in for a true southern demon
stration as they appeared at the head
OF their state delegations were Con-
gressmen Kyle. of Mississippi; Clark.
OF Alabama and Patterson, of Tennes-
see; Lieut. Gov. Alvord, of Kentucky,
and Lieut.. Gov. Stannard. of Missouri.
When Chairman Crawford of the
local committee of fifteen assumed the
gavel at o'clock there were $40 dele
gates on the floor, and 1 500 spectators
OF both sexes in the galleries.
The few words of welcome in behalf
OF the Bluff city were prettily and
quickly spoken and permanent organi-
cation was then in order
The Alabama congressman was rec
ognized for the purpose of presenting
the name of the little giant from Mis-
sissippi as permanent chairman, but
he availed himself of call to the
platform to lead off the oratorical fire.
works with speech that aroused all
the energetic enthusiasm of his audi
ence.
I'VE are not forlorn band making
Representative Clarke, ''but we are
and voice to a deep-rooted and widely
spread public opinion, that is growing
in volume, and which is destined to
mold the financial policy of this coun-
try. We have nothing to fear in the
fight that has been forced upon us.
The conservatism of the American
people will not allow it's monetary
system to he dragged down to the de-
based level of Mexico and China The
roar of the free silverites is as the
roar of a fire fed upon chaff that soon
burns itself out and leaves but ashes
and smoke. 1t is but the echo of the
fat moneyites- Standing here as
southern man, 1 say that have firm
confidence in the sound sense and in
tegrity of that section of the country,
in the cotton men and the industry
that has made Memphis one of the
most important cotton markets in the
world.
''We are not the blind followers or
tools of any man or set of men, but we
are led by man who has, like no
other man since Jackson, the conf
dence of the American people. Pro-
longed applause.] Why? Because the
American people know that their pres
ident is honest (cheers]; that he pos
sesses mental and moral courage [more
cheersI; that he is not only a man.
dom that no obloquy can darken."
Shouts and stamping followed the
speakers retirement from the plat
form, and there was more of the same
kind when the motion was put.
The selection of Mr.. Catchings was
made by a unanimous viva voce vote,
and the congressman accepted the
honor in graceful speech. He said:
GENTLEMEN OF THE CoNvENrIoN-There
comes a time in the life of a man when words
fail him when he wishes to express the emo
tions by which he is moved. Such time has
now crossed my path. Could live forever
could not sufficiently express to my friend from
Alabama the impression which his warm words
have left within me. Gentlemen in my judg-
ment no convention that ever assembled met
for nobler or higher purpose than this,
brought together from almost every south
ern state, coming from every walk in life.
representing you do all vacations. indus
tries and conditions in life. speak the truth,
not a man has come here to advance personal
end or a selfish purpose. Believing that the
free and independent coinage of silver at the
16 to ratio would be disastrous to all private
and public interests, we have laid aside our
private affairs for the time to take counsel to-
gether how best to prevent it. The character
OF the delegates to this convention Is far be-
yond the reason Of captious criticism and ad.
verse comment. This body is composed of
the great mass Of honest. intelligent, pa
triotic citizens. II we are right, we are
not only right now, but we are eternally
right We have assembled to give test:-
mony in open church to the faith that
is in US. We have been misrepresented from
one end Of the land to the other, epithets have
been hurled against US. and we have been
charged with entertaining views which we
scorn and disdain. 1t is said, for instance,
that we are monometallists. Let us here and
now place the lies upon that charge. lap
plausel. 1t has been said, again, that we seek
to SO contract the currency that prices
will fall Let US stamp that also as a lie
Let us pass series Of resolutions that
will be our declaration of faith, and then
challenge any man to put other words
on lips Let us, when this convention
shall have adopted these resolutions, adjourn
and go to our homes with determination to
stand by them. Let us organize ourselves in
to a movement militant and not uuiescent:
for. believing we do. we would be recpeaut
to our duty IL we failed at all times to let our
views be known. Let US nail our colors To the
masthead and let the old ship go on her course
regardless Of the obstacles that we may en-
counter. having faith that. with truth as our
guide. we will reach our destination in safety
take heart at the fact that our views are sane
toned by all the great people of this country
outside Of political life. Suppose we adopted
the free coinage Of silver at q ratio of I6 to 1.
It will bring about silver recommendation pure
and simple. When the simple issue is put be-
fore the people do not believe that they will
be willing to put this country on a silver
basis"
The remarks of the chairman were
frequently interrupted by applause.
After the selection of C. C. Matthews,
associate editor of the Commercial
Appeal, as secretary, committee on
80. v,,.oinfod and IN NM,