The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-06-02
ADDRESS TO FRIENDS OF SILVER
DR.. Mott Says That All Party Lines
Must Be Wiped Out.


Washington, June 1.-The following
circular has been given out for pub
lication:
Headquarters National Silver Party,
Washington, ID. c., May 80. 1885,
To the Friends of Silver: Since the
founding of this party, on January %,
1896, the work of the organization has
been steadily but quietly pursued, and
the country has been aroused to a
pitch of excitement unknown since
the civil war. Silver is on all lips
throughout the land. It is echoed and
re-echoed from the gilded mansion to
the lowly cottage As each hour pass
ess it becomes more apparent that
political conflict the like of which has
not been seen before is just at hand.
1t must be clearly understood at
once that party lines cannot with
stand this conflict, and so far as the
friends of silver are concerned, they
must not. The party leader who puts
in his time mending party lines while
the silver cause suffers will be rele-
gated to a deserved seclusion. There
is no time for composing differences
between men who do not agree on this
question. The only thing to be con-
sidered is how those who do agree
can get together. They who say they
are for free silver, and at the same
time plead for the unity of parties, are
not the friends of silver and the suf-
fering people. The unity of old par
ties is the death of silver, as every
body knows.
Those who look to coming years for
rNFf hi mo faF
mistake the condition of the times
and the temper of the people There
can be no delay. The conflict Will
not wait. The hour has come.
The secret of success in this conflict
consists in the lining up for the battle
Those who compose the line must
be friends, striking the same oiows
for the same object. This breaks party
lines, and party lines once broken Sill
yer will be free.
That meeting of earnest men on the
22d of January, 1896, marked an epocn
and will live in history. The conNen-
ton which grew out of it, to be heid
at ST. Louis on the I'd of July, will UNI
doubtedly be one of the most 1mpof-
tant conventions and notable gather
ings ever assembled in this country.
Upon the wisdom of it's acts, and that
of the Peoples Party convention, TO be
held at the same place and time, de
ponds the vital question as to whether
we can have just settlement OF TINS
money issue in our generation. III
that issue can be clearly presented 10
the voters of the United States, strip
ped of all minor political questions,
and under a standard and leadership
which well demand the confidence OF
the people it win be an overwhelming
majority.
Our friends are urged to push the
work of organization with all possible
vigor, giving no heed to those who
advise waiting the action of the old
parties that contain enemies as Well
as friends of our cause. The power
of our organization to defeat the ann
bition of Janus-faeed politicians is be-
ing recognized by all parties, hence
clean cut declarations for or against
silver are the rule by local conventions
of all parties this year.
Our purpose is to unite for action
all believers in the restoration of free
silver and prosperity. This cannot be
accomplished by inaction or delay on
the part of our friends.
The Republican party is committed
to the gold standard through the plat
forms of 80 per cent of the State con-
ventions, and any straddle that may
be made in its National platform will
deceive no one. The Democratic party
must not expect the country to ac-
cept any candidate it may name ac-
quiesced in by the gold wing of that
party.
The question OF vital Importance is
for silver men to name q candidate
for President whose nomination will
be readily acquiesced in by all believers
in monetary reform.
Friends of silver look to your inter
ests and organize now while the fruit
is ripe for plucking. Do not wait on
the predetermined action of any party.
J. j. MOTT, Chairman.