The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-08-18


that the commercial ratio between the
metals can be reduced by the action
of this Government to any ratio ever approx
mating that proposed; threatens IN certain con-
t1ngencies to increase to an unlimited act the
volume OF legal-tenders issued by the Federal
Government. the ultimate effect OF which
would be to force the withdrawal OF all coin
from circulation and to compel puphc ana
private business to be transacted IN oepre-
e1ated paper currency, constantly nuctuauhg
In value, and to invite the ruin ana CONFUSION
that have always followed the adoptlon oiSucn
policy.
Its declarations invite and have almost pro-
duced financial panic, and many OF its pro-
ponents announce to accomplish this purpose
they are prepared to involve their country In
disaster comparable 10 nothing In It's history
save the calamity of civil war 1t assalls the
independence of the judiciary by covert
threat TO reorganize the courts whenever their
decisions contrayene the DEGREES OF the party
caucus 1t seeks to allure ofice-seekers ana
spollsmen TO its support by attacking the
existing civil-service laws which gooo men OF
all parties have Iabored so long To estaoiisn
and to extend to all departments OF the public
service
The Chicago convention having thus de-
parted from the recognized Democratic taltn
and promulgated doctrines new and strange
10 the Democracy, all Democrats are aDsol7ed
from obligation to support It's programme.
More than this, as the doctrines announced
are destructive to National honor and private
opllgation, and tend 10 create sect ana class
distinctions and engender dlscord ana strlfe
among the people, all good citizens OF the Re
public are bound to repuoiate them and exert
every lawful means to insure the defeat of the
candidates that represent these false doc
trines.
Democrats are told that they must accept
the platform enunciated and ticket nominated
at Chicago because submission to the Will OF
the majority is fundamental principle OF
Democracy 1t is true that when a majority
OF the people have expressed their VIII at
legal election the will of such majority must
be respected and obeyed. This is essential to
the peace and existence OF the Nation. But 1T
is monstrous perversion OF this doctrine 20
apply it to political party which exists only
by virtue OF q common voluntary assent to its
principles.
When Democratic convention departs from
the principles of the party no Democrat re-
mains under any moral obligation to support
Its action, nor is there any tradition of the
party that requires him to do so. On the con-
trary, it is evidence of moral weakness for any
man to vote to enforce policies which, in his
opinion, are inimical to the welfare of the peo-
PIE OF 10 tne integrity OF the Natlon.
The duty of the hour is to stand steadfast in
the defense of our ancient faith. In this crisis
there is at stake more than possibility OF tenn
porary victory. The honor and perpetuity of
the Democratic party are at stake. A political
organization that is untrue to its principles,
history and traditions is disgraced and dis
honored. The existence of our great historical
party, that has withstood the assaults OF every
foe, is threatened by reason of the recre ancy
OF many of its members. That this party, as
we have known it, may not uie, let the faith
Jul of years rally around It's historic banner,
reform its broken lines and with abiding faith
IN the triumph of its principles unite to re-
store the name Democrat to its former mean
ing and proud distinction.
TO this end we request all Democrats who
are opposed to the platform adopted and can
dldates nominated at Chicago to organize in
their several States and to send representa-
tives to the convention OF the National Demo-
cratic party, to be held at Indianapolis on
Wednesday, September 2, 1896, in accordance
with the call heretofore issued by the National
Committee. W. D. BYNUM (Chairman),
]. R. WILSON (Secretsry),
CHARLES TRACEY,
J. NJ. FAULKNER,
w. NJ. MCCUTcHEN
ELLIS B. USHER,
s. r. HoLDIN,
F. W. LEHMAN,
w. B. HALDAMAN,
JOHN P HOPKINS,
Executive Committee of the National Demo-
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