Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-10-16
GENERAL BUCKNER's SPEECH.

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his first visit to Alabama. He was here
thirty years ago. He was welcomed then
because he was willing to risk his life
in defense of his country and the people.
and he believed there are yet enough of
those of the older times to receive him
with kindness. (Applause)
Il believe the older men will concede
that what l advocate L do so honestly.
Il have come to discuss the issues be-
fore us dispassionately, fairly and hon
estly. If you listen to me and my rea-
soning is not satisfactory, practice your
own.
II feel that am in good relation with
my audience (applause), and, as my col
league has discussed the money question,
l shall devote the most of my time to
other points at issue.
"The money question has been the SUBJ
ject of discussion from 1892 to the present
hour.
1T has been the purpose of all honest
governments to give that value to money
that is stamped upon it's face
During the reign of Charles V of
France there was war between France
and England. The country was deranged,
and there was naturally much confusion
Charles V called his council together to
arrange for good currency. In that
council was Nicholas Morespi. He stated
then fact that is a fact today He said
no two curfencieS can circulate together.
"A government has no right to place it's
stamp upon product and give 1t a value
higher than it's commercial value. If 1t
does, 1t stamps a lie on the face of the
COMA falsehood, as it were. in mockery
to the opposite side, In God we trust
Il repeat, it is impossible to circulate
two standard moneys of different com
mercial value. France has changed the
parity between gold and silver 120 times
during the past twelve years.
"A government should have only one
standard of value This Is true of all the
gold standard countries-England,
France. Germany and others. 1t is so
now with US. You can go anywhere in
the United States and purchase as much
with silver dollar as you can with a
gold dollar. The government is behind 1t.
We bought the silver with the peoples
money, paid it out as a dollar and guar
antee 1t shall always be worth a dollar.
The government bought the silver at the
market price, not legislated price. The
profit in that purchase was not given to
the silver mine owner either, but to the
people of the United States.
But our friends insist that 1t must be
coined free now. without even a charge
for mintage. The seigniorage placed in
the treasury alone amounts to from $780,
900, 600 to $40, 900, 900. What interest have
you in taxing yourselves to coin money
for the silver mine owners? If you pay
for the coinage why not make him bring
along tho amount to be coined equal to
the commercial value? If you purchase
it why not put the seigniorage in the
treasury?''
Concluding General Buckner said he
had heard il stated and had also seen II in
the press that his wing of the democratic
party represents a MCKINLEY Aid socie-
ty"
THAT Is not our object, but IL we de-
signed to aid in the election of Mr.. Nc
Kinley you fellows at Chicago started to
beat us at the game. Wherever this free
silver fanaticism has been started the
democratic party has lost prestige You
are the Mckinley Aid society!' You
started it in Ohio and lost the state to
Mckinley. You tried 1t in Missouri and
every democratic congressman was made
to walk the plank. You tried it in my
own state, Kentucky, and that glorious
old democratic state. that never before
faltered in the faith, elected a republican
governor. Wherever our friends have
introduced their new-fangled scheme
they have demolished democracy.
"The question is asked why my asso-
ciate and myself are making this race?
Do we expect to be elected? VIII our
are some things better than temporary
success. Principles are to be vindicated--
principles as old as the government it
self.
'srhe delegates at Chicago went beyond
their Instructions. They adopted pint
form without one trace of democratic
principles N 1t.
We rvafffrmed our allegiance tn tr,,s
democratic principles at Tndfarano'is
Read that platform and you will sac -
old democratic landmarks stansi-r N-'-
clothed in all their beauty, Whit : "-''
have tried to dismantle. You have sak. Il