The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-09-18
ever to American shipping, while greatly
increasing ocean freights on our agricul-
tural and manufactured products.
Al to Gold and Silver

ever to American shipping, while greatly
increasing ocean freights on our agricul-
tural and manufactured products.
As to Gold and Silver.
The experience of mankind has shown
that by reason of their natural qualities,
gold is the necessary money of the large
affairs of commerce and business, while
silver is conveniently adapted to minor
transactions and the most beneficial use
of both together can be ensured only by
the adoption of the former as standard
Of monetary measure, and the mainten-
ance of silver ut parity with gs3fd by it's
limited coinage under such safeguards of
| law. Thus is the largest possible enjoy
ment of both metals gained, with the
value universally accepted throughout the
world, which constitutes the only
practical currency assuring the most
stable standard and especially the best and
safest money for all who earn a livelihood
by labor or the produce of husbandry.
They cannot suffer when paid in the best
money known to man, but are the pecu-
liar and most defenceless victims of de-
based and huctuating currency which
offers continued profits to the money
changers at their cost.
Realizing these truths, demonstrated by
long public inconvenience and loss, the
! Democratic party, in the interest of the
masses and of equal justice to ALL prac-
tically established by the legislation of
1884 and 1858 the gold standard of none
tary measurement and likewise entirely
divorced the government from banking
and currency issues. TO this long estab-
lished Democratic policy we adhere and
insist upon the
Maintenance of the Gold Standard,
and of the parity Herewith of every dollar
issued by the government and are firmly
opposed to the free and unlimited coinage
of silver and to the compulsory purchase
Of silver bullion. Butwe denounce also
the further maintenance of the present
costly patchwork scheme of national paper
currency as constant source of injury
and peril. We assert the necessity of such
intelligent currency reform as will con-
fine the government to it's legitimate
functions completely separated from the
banking business and afford to all sec
tions Of our country uniform, safe and
elastic bank currency, under government
supervision, measured in volume by the
needs of business.
A Compliment for Cleveland.
The patriotism, fidelity and courage
with which President Cleveland has full
filled his great public trust, the high char
acter of the administration, it's wisdom
and energy in the maintenance of civil or
der and the enforcement of the laws, it's
equal regard for the rights of every class
and every section, it's firm and dignifed
conduct of foreign affairs and it's sturdy
persistence in upholding the honor and
credit of the nation are fully recognized
by the Democratic party, and will secure
to him place in history beside the faith
ers of the republic.
We also commend the administration
for the great progress made in the reform
of the public service and we endorse its
effort to extend the merit system still
further We demand that no backward
step be taken, but that the reform be sup
ported and advanced until the undemo-
cratic spoils system of appointments shall
be eradicated.
We demand strict economy in the ap-
preparations and in the administration of
the government.
Favor International Arbitration
We favor arbitration for the settlement
of international disputes. We favor
liberal policy of pensions to deserving sol
diers and sailors of the United States.
The supreme court of the United States
was wisely established by the trainers of
our Costitution as one of the three CO.
ordinate branches of the government. Its
independence and authority to interpret
the law of the land without fear or favor
must be maintained.
We condemn all efforts to defame the
tribunal or impair the confidence and re-
spect which it has deservedly had.
The Democratic party ever has main
tanned, and ever will maintain the SUI
premacy of law, the independence of it's
judicial administration; the invoilability
of contract and the obligations of all good
citizens to resist every Illegal trust, COM
bination and attempt against the just
rights of property and the good order of
society, in which are bound up the peace
and happiness of our people.
Believing these principles to be essential
to the well being of the republic, we sub
NIT them to the consideration of the
American people.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.