The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-08-20

gates were there to voice the senti-
ments of their constituents, the people
of the party, for the people OF the
party controlled and conducted that
convention.
"The Democracy of the country
realize that all the great principles Of
our party are as potent and essential
to the well being Of the country to.
day as they have always been and as
they ever will be, but the overshad-
owing before the country now, made
dominant by the distressed condition
prevailing throughout the land is the
demand for reform in our existing
monetary system. Our party and, we
believe, great majority of the Amer
ican people, are convinced that the
legislation of 1873 demonetizing silver
was wrong inflicted upon our country
which should and must be righted.
"We believe that the single gold
standard has so narrowed the base Of
our monetary structure that it is un-
stable and unsafe, and dwarfed it in
its development and in its power to
furnish the necessary financial blood
to the nation that commercial and
industrial paralysis has followed.
ave believe that we need and
must have the broad and expanding
foundation of both gold and silver to
support a monetary system strong and
stable, capable of meeting the de-
mands of growing country and an
industrious, energetic and enter
prising people, system that will not
be weakened and panic stricken BY
every foreign draft upon us, system
that will maintain a parity of just
values in the nations money and pro.
tect us from the frequent fluctuations
OF today so disastrous to every bust
ness and industry of the land.
DEMAND FOR FREE COINAGE.
ave demand the free coinage of
silver, the opening of our mints to
both money metals without discrimina-
ton, the return to the money of our
fathers, the money of the constitution,
gold and silver
"We believe this is the remedy and
the only remedy for the evil from
which we are now suffering, the evil
that is now SO fast devastating and
impoverishing our land and people,
bringing poverty to our homes and
bankruptcy to our business, which if
allowed to continue, will grow until
our very institutions are threatened.
"The demonetization of silver has
thrown the whole primary money
function on gold, appreciating its
value and purchasing power. Restore
the money function 10 silver, and
silver will appreciate and its purchas-
ing power increase. Take from gold
its monopoly, its value will be reduced,
and in due course the parity of the
two metals will again obtain under
natural causes.
"We shall then have broad and
unlimited foundation for monetary
system, commensurate with our
country's needs and future develop
ment, not the unsafe basis of to-day,
reduced by half by the removal Of
silver and continually undermined by
foreigners carrying from us our gold.
This is the reform to which we are
pledged, the reform the people de-
mand, the return to the monetary
system of over 50 years of our nation
al existence. The Democratic party
has already given its approval and its
pledge. Our opponents admit the
wisdom of the principle for which we
contend, but ask us to await permis-
sion and cooperation of other ma
tions. Our people will not wait. They
will not ask permission of any nation
on earth to relieve themselves of the
cause of their distress. The issue
has been made. The people stand
ready to render their verdict next
November.
"Mr. Chairman, unequivocally and
through sincere conviction, l indorse
the platform on which | have been
nominated. believe we are right.
The people are with us, and what the
people declare is always right and
must prevail. l accept the nomina-
tlon, and, with the peoples confrma-
tion, every effort of which God shall
render me capable will be exerted in
support of the principles involved"
Upon the conclusion of Mr.. Sewall's
address the meeting was declared ad-
journed.
After the notification meeting Mr..
Bryan was driven to the Hotel
Bartholdi, facing Madison square,
where he spoke again, standing on a
balcony, with Mr.. Sewall and Mrs.
Bryan, who shared with her husband
all the honors and attention of the
occasion. This second audience,