Great Falls weekly tribune., 1896-10-23
OIL D-TIME REPUBLICAN.
Letter , hat should Cause Montana Re-
publicans to Think.

A Letter 7hat should Cause Montana Re-
publcans to Think.
Below is published letter received by
DR.. e. A. Grain of Great Falls from q
relative in jackson, Mich. The writer,
Wm E. Ware, is prominent lawyer in
his state and has been a lifelong repub-
lican. The conservative tone Of the let
ter should commend it to all men as be-
ing candid statement of the conditions
in Michigan. That portion of it refer
ring to the stand taken by the silver re-
publicans ought to make interesting
reading for those men in this state where
the issue is of such vital interest, yet
who are placing party name above and
beyond the great principle. Read what
Mr.. Ware says:
FRIEND GRAIN: l was very much
pleased to receive yours of Oct. upon
my return this morning from trip
through st. Joseph and Branch coun-
ties, fighting for the silver dollar.
1t gratities me very much to learn
that 30 many Of my old friends and ac-
quaintances are in favor of the restora-
tlon OF silver. l have been silver man
for great many years and could not
possibly lay down my honest convictions
even to follow the dictates of the repub-
lican party managers. I believe Bryan
will be elected and am perfectly salts
| fed that, whether elected or not, he is
right and that prosperity will not return
to the common people Of this country
until silver is again recognized upon an
equality of gold as standard money
We are making ae grand fight here
as it is possible to make OF course, we
have no meane, while the Mckinley re-
publicans are we'll supplied. Michigan
is, undoubtedly, doubtful state to say
the least, but the silver forces here have
much confidence in their ability to carry
the state for Bryan.
We have combination of all elements
in the state against the republican
ticket The combined vote of the dem
ocratic party, peoples party and the
ceeded the republican vote, and we have
consolidated these elements, and in ad-
dition to that have organized the union
silver party, which is made up of silver
republicans, principally.
There were 400 or 500 silver repub-
iicans in the state convention and in
every county and town leading repub-
licans have identified themselves with
the silver forces. We shal lose some of
our "old line" democrats, but we are
satisfied that the republican recruits
will far outnumber oCr Losses in that
direction.
l was member of the union silver
state convention; took part in organiz-
ing that party; was member OF the
conference committee appointed by the
several state conventions to agree upon
plan to unite the forces, and we have
finally accomplished it without dissent
ing factions.
I have already spoken 81 times, ard
expect now to continue until the polls
close. Ny hopehs that Michigan's vote
will be cast for Bryan. l feel more GER
tain of that than do of the election of
our state ticket,
I have been using through the cam
paign. with some effect, the former
republican platforms, printed copy Of
which l incose. | do not consider it
strange that republicans refuse to sup
port the new doctrine of the ST. Louis
convention. When Teller walked ont of
the convention thousands of republicans
everywhere walked out with him, and
they will remain out until the fight is
won. Every man is supporting silver be-
cause he believes it necessary and that Z
great principle is involved, and such men
are not easily defeated.
l look for Bryan's election. We have
eliminated partisanship from tne contest
as far as possible and are working
shoulder to shoulder all along the line,
and we are certainly gaining rather than
losing.
1t is perfectly safe to say that while
Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota,
Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio must be
clagsed as doubtful states where Bryan
has good lighting chance. and if we
Gao carry any one OF these state be viii!
be elected.
Ia very many localities in this state
the more prominent republicans arc
in charge of the campaign and forcing
the fight and while We try TO
be very conservative, We are uuable to
understand how we can he defeated, but
we emphasize the disposition to con-
tinue the fight without interruption in
the event of our defeat this fall; we will
never lay this question down, because
we believe ii to he right and We. there
fore. should continue the contest until it
succeeds. Yours very truly,