The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-22

with flags and bunting, but the atmos-
phere was so close and hot that it was
almost suffocating. When Chairman
Mott came forward to call the con-
vention to order the delegates for the
moment ceased the use of fans and
reused from the torpOr caused by the
awful heat and INDUCED in some en-
thusiastic cheering.
Prayer was offered, after which Miss
Lille B. Pierce of this city read the
Declaration of Independence. This
caused another outburst of applause
When the call for the convention had
been read Francis G. NeWlands of Ne
vada, was introduced by Chairman
Mott, as temporary chairman Of the
convention. Though the galleries of
the hall were almost vacant, the dele
gates gave him vigorous reception
NEWLANDS' SPEECH.
In taking the chair Mr. NewIands
said:
"The national silver party meets to-
day to determine what course will best
advance the cause which we have at
heart. The Republican party has de-
clared for the gold standard, save so
far as its disastrous consequences may
be averted by an international adjus4
ment with the leading commercial ma
tions of the world. Practically this
means gold mOnometalliSm, for under
the system of finance inaugurated by
Harrison and Cleveland, silver is de-
MED its time-honOred use as redemp-
tion money and has become simply the
material upon which is stamped a gold
promise.
And so our greenbacks. our treasury
notes and silver certificates, instead of
being money, have been turned into
gold debt and the primary money of
the country is confined to the limited
amount of gold, approXimating $500 ,000,
600, which an adverse balance of trade
is constantly depicting. with all the
attendant evils of continuing bond is
sues.
THE Democratic party has declared
for the free and unlimited coinage of
silver at a ratio of Is to 1, without wait
ing for international action. Whilst
it has made ether declarations in it's
platform, it has announced that the
silver question is the paramount issue
of the day, and that to it all other
questions are to be subordinated. 1t
has nominated a candidate of unim-
peachable character, of exalted ability,
of inf1exible integrity, of high purpose,
who has never faItered for moment in
his devotion to the cause of bimetaI
1ism.
THE issue has been presented by a
party which has been recently discred-
tied before the country by the financial
and industrial disturbances which it
has created through the repeal of the
Sherman act and by threatened and
actual tariff legislation. Dragged into
financial agitation by the determined
will of an executive whom it has since
repudiated, it proposes not merely to
reverse existing IeSlSIaI10n aIFeauy en-
acted, but to go further and to declare
for the free and unlimited coinage of
silver, and besides it proposes to guar
antee the country against further in
dustrial disturbance and agitation for
further changes in the tariff law, except
such as are necessary to make up the
deficit of revenue.
THE latter announcement is partic-
ularly gratifying to many of US who
believe that the silver question and
moderate protection are twin issues;
that the former means protection to
the American farmer against the dis
astrous competition of silver countries;
that the latter means protection to the
American manufacturer and his en-
ployes against the disastrous competi-
ton of cheap foreign labor, and that it