The record-union., 1896-08-30
TALKING FOR FREE SILVER.
Local Democrats Open Their Cam
paiSn.
Speeches Delivered Last Night by
W. r. Jacobs and J. ].
Dwyer.

The Democrats of Sacramento opened
the campaign in this city last night
with a rally at Seventh and * streets.
1t was attended by thousand or hf-
teen hundred people, who listened with
interest to the speakers of the evening,
put did not manifest much enthusiasm.
The audience was called to order by
Thomas w. O'NeiI, who introduced the
Chairman, Peter Shields. The latter
briefly expressed his appreciation OF
the large attendance, avoWed his hdel-
ity to the principles of Democracy and
declared that the greatest issue since
the time of Lincoln was now before
the American people. The people
looked to the Republican Convention
at ST. Louis for a remedy for their
grievances, but none was offered, and
it was not until the Chicago Conven-
tion made an issue and produced a
leader that the people saw the cham
pion of their cause.
The Chairman then introduced to the
audience w. r. Jacobs of Stockton.
Mr.. Jacobs spent an hour and half
discussing what he considered the is
sues of the campaign. His entire ar
gument was directed to the silver ques-
tion, the tariff being passed with only
a casual reference.
In the course of his remarks the
speaker said this was not campaign
without an issue. II was not for the
spoils that two great parties were con-
tending. 1t was on principle, and that,
too, Of the most vital kind. Whatever
Republicans might say, the issue was
that of finance. Every man in Amer
lea is now alive to the question of
finance. Even women were interested,
in fact they were always interested in
money.
The great question confronting the
mechanic, the farmer, the miner and
the tradesman is, Shall we have a sin
gle gold standard or shall we have a
double standard of silver and gold?
Mr.. Mckinley spoke of the two wings
of the Democratic party. He would
find out in November that there We're
also two wings of the Republican party.
The Republicans say they are in favor
of a double standard, but not until
England would give it to them. The
champion of free silver-that friend of
labor. William J. Bryan-had unfurled
netallism whether or no other nations
wished it. This is not a new thing in
the old party, it was emblazoned on
their banners forty years ago. That
immortal statesman, Thomas Jefferson
advocated bimetallism, and since his
day Democracy had sustained it.
Mr.. Jacobs declared that the time had
come when the toiIing millions of down
trodden laborers could not be whipped
into the traces. The time had come
when the political lash must give place
to reason. They had learned tc think
for themselves. and to think meant to
vote for free silver.
Benjamin Harrison had announced
that Bryan was selected as a candidate
for the highest office within the gift OF
the people by American citizens under a
spell Of frenzied enthusiasm, but il
would take more than his word to con-
vince the farmer enslaved by the money
lender
The speaker paid a glowing tribute tc
the Populists. His heart went out tC
them. Enthused with true patriotism
they had broken the bonds of party
union, deserted the ranks of old COM
rades and enlisted under new flag
believing that the time was ripe for po-
litical reform. These honest, con-
scientious allies he would draw near tc
him and unite with them in the common
cause of free silver.
The gold standard meant that a man
might go up into the hills of California
and the gold fields of other States and
dig the precious metal from the earth
take it to the United States Mint and
have it coined into American dollars
Why should not the silver miner be al
lowed to do the same thing?
Mr.. Jacobs read extracts from what is
known as the Hazard Circular" IS
sued by London capitalists during the
rebellion He characterized the Eng
lish capitalists as the dictators of Amer
lea. They came across the seas witt
English gold and deliberately bought
the Congress of the United States. Bu
the time had come when these human
fiends should stay at home, or thert
would be a repetition of the history o.
1T76. The Shylocks of Lombard stree
were confederated with their brothers
in Wall street to rob the people Of th'
fruits Of their honest toll. The link o.
self-interest stretched out to the bank
ers and the millionaires all over th'
country. They We're now all conspirins
together to hoodwink the electors. wht
hold their destinies in the ballot. WheI
the bankers began to talk of protecting
the people from impending fanacia
ruin, then it was time for the poor mar
to hand over his cash to the clerk an(
ask to have it locked up.
The speaker read from the 'Pani'
Circular Of 1899 and various cam
paign documents, and declared that 70
the last twenty years the gold STANDARD
had deprecated the prices of product
and enhanced the value of gold. Tn
Republicans are responsible for tn
hard times of to-day. and they ye
had the hardihood to lie to the peopl
and attribute it to other causes. Tn
history of the country is not iatterint
to the poor man. The United State
Senate is made up of men of wealth
and that they buy their seats is wei
known. These Senators are in clos
touch with the barons Of Lombar'
street, and the Wall street gamblers
He advised his hearers to follow tn
advice of such men as Thomas Jeffer
son, Alexander Hamilton and the great
est of all statesmen, James G. Blaine.
Mr.. DWYER'S SPEECH.
At the close of Mr.. Jacobs addres
Chairman Shields introduced J. J
Dwyer of San Francisco. He said h
would not attempt to make an elabo
rate speech, as the hour was late. II
desired, however, to convey to hi
auditors the impressions he had gath
cred during an extended tour in tn
East. He was present at the Chicag
Convention when William ]. Brya
ai,,.n A..l haa I'd the snaan