Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-10

VEST.
senator Vest. OF Missouri. was the first
delegate TO ascend the platform, even be-
fore the cali OF States had got farther IN
the alphabetical list than the State OF Ar
kansas.
VEST NOMINATEs BLAND.
Mr.. Vest spoke as follows:
senator Vest said: Revolutions DO not
begin with the rich and prosperous. They
represent the protest OF those VINO are
suffering from present conditions, and
whose demands FOR relief are denounced
by the benefciaries OF unjust and oppres-
sive legislation.
When a profound sense Of wrong. evolv-
ed from years Of distress, fastens upon the
public mind in a free country. and the
people are determined to have redress,
leader is always found who is platform
in himself. and 10 whom they instinctiVey
turn as the logical exponent Of their
hopes.
The people are not iconoclasts nor false
to their convictions. They followed JEFF
ferson when he assailed the centraliZing
and monarchical doctrines OF the ola
Federalsts and was denounced as com
munist and lcveller by the wealth ana
culture of New England and New York.
They followed Jackson when he took the
I
proclaimed q tyrant and rufiian by the
usurers and money kings. They followed
Lincoln when he attacked the slave pow
er and declared that this country could
not exist half slave and half free"
THE FREE-COINAGE MOVEMENT.
The great movement for bimetallism-
the free and unlimited coinage of gold
and silver at the ratio of 16 to land the
restoration of silver 10 It's constitutional
status. is
" No sapling chance sown by the fountain
Blooming at Beltane in winter TO fade
1t has come to stay.
1t is a protest against the wrong ana
outrage of 1873 when. without debate, ana
with the knowledge Of only few men IN
Congress the silver dollar was stricken
from the coinage and the red despot OF
gold made supreme IS TO all values.
II is u declaration by the freemen OF
America that the United States must
withdraw from the conspiracy which was
formed to destroy one-half the metallic
money Of the world. in order to establish
the slavery of greed and usury more de-
grading than the tyranny OF armed force
1t is The stern demand from unrequited
toll, bankrupt enterprise, and ruined
homes for a change in the money system
which for years has brought disaster ana
desolatlon.
In this crisis of our country and party
we must take no step backward in plat
form or candidate. We want no uncertain
nor doubtful leader; no "laggard in peace
or bastard in war;; no latter-day silver
saint, but a grizzled and SCARED veteran,
who has borne the heat and burthen OF
the day and whose breast Is marked from
edge Of sword and point Of lance on a
hundred fields.
BLAND'S SILVER CHAMPIONSHIP.
Twenty years ago the battle for silver
was begun in the halls Of Congress by a
modest, unpretending. brave man. not an
iridescent nor meteOric statesman, but
one Of the people. and from the people,
who has never faltered for an instant
in the great struggle. Others doubted
and wayered; some yielded 90 blandish-
ment and patronage. and are now hold
ing Office under the gold power; others
misrepresented their constituents, and
have been provided for in the national in
Urinary of the present administration. but
Richard Parks Bland stands now where
he stood then-the living, breathing en-
bodiment of the silver cause.
He struck with steel point the golden
shield OF the money monopolists. as did
Ivanhoe that Of the proud Templar in the
lists at Ashby, and has neither asked nor
given quarter.
Nor is he a narrow. one-idead man.
For twenty years in Congress he fought
in the front ranks for Democratic princi-
pies and policies, as taught by Jefferson.
lie stood by the side OF Randall. and
risked health and life 10 defeat the first
force bill He opposed ably and earnestly
that browning tariff infamy-the McKin-
ley act-and again was among the fore
most opponents Of the last force bill,
which passed the House, but was de-
feated in the Senate.
He introduced the first free-coinage mea-
sure I'm Congress- and was the author of
the seigniorage BILL which passed both
houses. and was vetoed by President
Cleveland.
If this be an obscure record, where can
be found the career OF any public servant
which deserves the plaudits of his coun-
trymen?
BLAND FROM THE PEOPLE.
The Democrats Of Missouri, who have
passed through the fiery furnace Of Re
publican prescription seven times heated,
and whose State flag has always been
placed beneath the great orihame OF
the national Democracy. make no apology
nor excuse when Offering such a candidate
for the presidency.
If you ask, Whence comes our candi-
udlts we dnSNcf, MOI from the usulCIS
den, nor temple of Mammon, where the
clink of gold browns the voice Of patriot
ism, but from the farm. the workshop,
the mine-from the hearts and homes OF
the people"
To reject him is to put a brand upon
rugged honesty and undaunted courage,
and TO chill the hearts and hopes OF those
who, during all these years have waited
for this hour Of triumph. TO nominate
him is TO make our party again that of
the people, and to ensure success.
Give us Silver Dick and silver quick,
And we will make Mckinley sick
In the ides of next November"
BLAND DEMONSTRATION.
The voice of the Missouri Senator, never
at any time very robust, was quite lost
in the vast dimensions of the hall His
mention of BANDS name was followed by
only very slight volume of applause,
not half so loud as the clamor of the
delegates fighting their way into the con-
vention hall. The chairman and the SER
geant-at-arms appeared TO be utterly I'M
able 10 cope with the situation, and Mr..
Vest went on with his speech nominating
Mr.. Bland. The only part of his speech
that stirred the crowd was the closing
rhyme:
"Glve us Silver Dick,
And silver quick,
And we will make Mckinley sick''
This brought down The house, and hats
ana flags were waved and a great uproar
was made, which lasted for some minutes
The band came TO the help of the crowd,
striking up "The Battle-cry Of Freedom"
All the silver delegates rose TO their feet
and cheered and INDUCED in other mani
festations Of popular enthusiasm. So that
what AT first WAS hut "A faint wave of an
plause grew into a tumultuous storm, In
the thick OF which a Bland banner was
carried through the hall, with the motto:
..sLI.... NIL. IL. D.....l... L.k.i.. %