The Portland daily press., 1896-08-31
DEMOCRATIC RALLY.
The Flag Caught Fire and Burned
Fiercely.

EleTceils
Bedford and Eddy at City Hall-The
Crowd Deserted Before the Speakers
Had Concluded.
The regular Democrats opened their
campaign in this city Saturday evening.
They had planned co raise handsome
fay at the rooms of the Young Mems
D,mooratic Club; but during the pro-
ceedings, either from the fireworks or
a live electric wire, the Gag took fire,
and burned SO f1ercely that it was nee
sssary to have the dremon put a stream
onto 1T. This prevented the flag from
being unfurled. 1t was thought. how
ever, that 1t was not ruined.
The meeting at City Hall was large.
and responsive to the efforts of the speak
era
Mr. Virgil G. Wilson Of this city pre-
sided. After he was introduced by Major
Collins of the city committee, be was
very cordially received, and spoke In sub
stance as follows:
Ne are forced by the appearance of this
audience to the conclusion that all the
democrats have not bolted. / will say
that we aim no blow at The prosperity
and good name of this nation; and the
Chicago convention has given us in VIM.
Bryan (applausel and Arthur Sewall
leaders in whose hands the destinies Of
the nation would be safe and happy.
The Democratic platform framed at
Chicago was the result of intelligent
thought and deep conviction. No
clique and faction ruled in its construc-
tion, but the people were there. Gap
plause.)
The currency platform vii be spiked
on, and 1t was sure that, should the
ticket triumph next November, the fres
coinage of silver would become the ma
tional policy.
The silver dollar of jefferson and Jack
son would again take It's place like a
sturdy oak in our monetary system.
The proposition that confronts us is
somewhat novel; and at first startling
to Eastern thought. But az the discus
sion proceeds, it will be shown that the
principles to which the Democratic party
has committed itself il reasonable and
safe.
Mr.. Wilson then introduced Mr.. S. W..
Belford of Colorado. Mr.. Bedford is
not an ex-Congresslnan. He is very
young apparently, not yet 80 years OF
age. He is the son of that former
Colorado Congressman, whom the New
York Sun called the ''Red-headed eagle
Of the Rockies" The young man is a
hoy orator, = very fluent and effective.
He began by saying that in addressing
gathering representing the Dsmocra-
oy. it would seem that he should be
somewhat embarrassed. He was q
member Of the Republican party until
the st. Louis convention, but when the
Republican party bowed it's knee to the
Imperialism of money, and when 1t out
Its old moorings, he could no longer
suppo it. cloud cheers.
Bimetallism is not an experiment.. For
centuries the world has used the combined
mass of gold and silver for its measure
ments, and upon both has rested Erosperi
ty.
The fathers OF the republic in the con-
stitntioE said that the people of this ma
tion should have both gold and silver.
and tnat no gold bond syndicate should
control this nation. (Applause.) SIR
Archibald Allison, in | is great work,
considers the greatest force for uplifting
: or casting down q people. to be their
money standard Another eminent autho-
ri haa thaf
Rome down, that has adopted single
gold standard, has suffered.
From 1889 to 1892 the statesmen Of this
country were considering the best system
Of money for this country. In 1892 it was
provided that there should be free
coinage of gold and silver at the ratio
of Is to /. In 1887 that ratio was changed
ole to l. There 1t remained until 1873.
The reason for changing the ratio was
not, as Mr.. Sherman has said, to bring
in the gold standard, but to prevent it,.
Early i'll the century the great Napoleon
had decided that Frante must lie BIZ
metallic nation If it was to lie great and
strong. So France had frea coinage of
gold anil silver, at the ratio of 10 to L.
ratios. Owing to this conflict of ratios
our silver and gold alternately left US.
according as we under OF over valued
the one or the other.
But now, when Europe has dem onetizefl
silver, these conflicts of ratio do not oc-
cur. Therefore this is the time for us to
II, go coinage, since both gold and
silver VIZ. stay with U.s. there are 40
conflicting ratios to draw either away.
The Reput lican orators are very fond
Of telling you that up to 1878 we coined
but 5000, 600 dollars in silver. But the
report of the directors of the mint shows
us that over 500, 600. 900 in silver was
coined. (Applause.)
Prof. Jevons. the great authority on