The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-03-03
THE SILVER SLOGAN SOUNDED.
TO ORGANIZE SOUTH CAROLINA.

-''S ~ WV v 'S's . |
To the People OF South Carolina:
With the presidential campaign OF
1896 the time has again cone in the
history of civilization when men are
compelled to take u determined stand
with a courage and firmness that
knows no defeat-for the rights OF
human against the greed Of an In
trenched money power. This year
may prove the last opportunity for the
cause OF the people to win peacefully
by the ballot. !
Bondholders and their cohorts Of
centralized wealth are rapidly riyet-
ing the shackles OF a degraded serfdom
on the producers OF the whole world.
Men OF all classes Of b~usiness-in pro-
d%uctiOn, manufacture and distribution
the burden Of tribute they are paying
of banking and bondholding classcs--
the ~plutocratic socialists. The intelli-
gence of the citizen Of this republic
renders 1t necessary for our people to
lead the nations in the fight for cur
rency reform. Through the discus-
sions OF the last few years the intelli-
gent voter mas come to understand,
much better than formerly, how the
profits Of all industry are absorbed by
the drones OF the creditors classes, by
controlling the issue and volume Of all
money and continually increasing its
purchasing power.
The period of educational agitation
and theoretical discussion 10 rapidly
passing. The time for action has
come. The united action OF the people
on % financial issue Is the only means
of success for the reforms necessary.
All patriotic citizens-especially the
producers of the raw material, the
farmer and miner the producer OF the
finished ar%ticle--the manufacturer
and the distributors-the merchant
and the commercial men---should
equally bear the responsibilities Of
this grand fight for humanity against
the Shylocks Of England and Wall
street.
We cannot daily with the danger
nor longer be deceived by the dilatory
tactics OF party politicians. That both
parties in charge Of our government
now are servile tools of the money
power Is o notorious fact known Of all
men. Shylock has already led Out the
Republican party as the winner this
year. The Democratic leaders them
selves confess that there is no hope
for their party in the coming elections.
held to give the leaders-pretended
friends of silver, but really the slaves
OF Wall street goldolators--a chance to
try their hands at keeping some OF tho
Southern States in line with another
platform straddle and y milk-and-cider
candidate. Going into the national
convention Of either one Of the old
parties only means deception and di-
vision OF the silver forces and final de-
feat to the cause Of currency reform.
The people must take charge Of this
fight themselves from tho beginning
make it open, honest and straight, and
resign none of their vital interests
into the hands OF party leaders, who
only work for party success.
A conference OF silver men OF al
parties was held in Washington, D.
c., ON January 1928 ultimo. 1t was
the unanimous opinion of that confer
ence that the riends of silver coinage
must ut once prepare for independent
action. A national convention was
called to meet at ST. Louis on July 22d.
In adopting a platform and nominal
ing candidates, this convention is to
cooperate with the Peoples party and
all other friends of currency reform. A
national committee vas selected and
headq uarters established at Washing
ton and the work OF organization will
be rapidly pushed.
After consultation with friends OF
the cause in this State, and feeling il
my duty as q member OF the national
committee OF the American Silver
Party from South Carolina, l have de.
cided to issue this address-appealing
to all patriotic citizens, who realize the
supreme Importance OF tho money
issue, without regard to party affilia-
tions OF views on other questions, to
unite at ono in ar organization with
the following propositions as a basis.
LIST. The free and unlimited coinage
OF gold aud silver, at the legal ratio OF
! to LII, by the United States govern.
ment, independent of the action of any
foreign power.
I'd. The power to control and regu-
late q paper currency IL ~inseparable
from the power to coin money hence
bank issues should be abolished and all
currency intended to circulate as money
should be issued, and its volume con.
trolied, by the the general government
only and it should be u full legal ten.
der. The volume OF currency-gold,
silver and paper-tO be sufficient to do
the business OF the country on a cash
basis.
Unalterable opposition to the issu4
OF Understanding bonds by the
United States in time OF peace. The
poJ blShu vi WILL oottS tVlcIUS vi VIC
United States, as provided by existing
law, in either silver or silver coin, at
the option of the government and not
at the option Of the creditor.
To facilitate the organization OF the
silver forces In this State l will make
the following practical gge~stions:
First. Organize a silver league,
with a pledge to stand by the above
platform, at every voting precinct
In the State-and more IL neces-
sary. AS soon as organized SEND me
at Denver, Anderson County, S. c.,
the name, postofice and county of the
secretary of each league, 81 that l can
have sent him literature for distribu-
ton. The only officers needed are {:
president, vice-president, secretary
and executive committee.
Second. A county convention should
be held not later than May 1st, TO
elect q county chairman, a county exc
cutive committee and a mcmber of the
State executive committee.
Third. AS soon as possible after
May lst a meeting Of the State execu-
tive committee should be held to elect
a State chairman, determine how dele.
gates to the national convention
shall be chosen and such other matters
as may be necessary.
A simple organization Ia all that Is
necessary to give machinery for the
campaign. This getting together of
our forces Is a business proposition to
men who mean business and | hope
that every reader of this address will
at once consider this his duty and
promptly proceed to organize O silver