Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-13

l distinctly conceded the right and as
serted the duty OF that government 70
enforce. within the State or elsewhere,
its own laws by its own agencies.
THE BOILERS PLATFORM
Mr.. Chairman and gentiemea, the
matters TO which L have adverted are
but reminiscences-tsey relate and belong
to the past Our duties as lovers of our
country are present, and We must meet
and deal with existing condiuons; ana
to these the late national Democratic con-
yention addressed itself. It's platform as
serts truths which can be demonstrated.
and it correctly defines Democratic prin-
clples. 1t asserts that the Democratic
party is pledged TO equal and exact justice
to all men, OF every creed and condition;
to the largest freedom Of the individual
consistent with good government, 10 the
preservation OK the Federal Government
in it's constitutional vigor. and to the
support OF the States in all their just
rights; to economy in the public eApendi-
lures, and to the maintenance OF the pub
lie faith and sound money, and II is OPP
posed TO paternalism and all class legis-
iation.'
'It also asserts that the declarations
OF the Chicago convention attack lndi-
vidual freedom, the right OF private con-
tract, the independence of the judiciary,
and the authority of the President TO en-
force Federal laws. They advocate a
reckless attempt 10 increase the price OF
silver by legislation to the debasement
Of our monetary standard, and threaten
unlimited issues OF paper money by the
government. They abandon for RepubI-
can allies the cause Of tariff reform, 10
court the favor of protection for this their
financial heresy
1T then asserts with earnestness, and
in terms which do not satisfy those who
assert it to be the duty OF a Democrat
to first vote the ticket and then read the
PLATFORM that in view of these and other
grave departures from Democratic pri4n
ciples, we cannot support the candidates
of that convention, nor be bound by It's
acts
TAXATION AND MONEY.
"The convention held in Indianapolis
then declares, with force and exactness,
the Democratic doctrines with respect 10
taxation, whether by tariffs, excuses, or
by direct imposition, and asserts that
none of these can be rightfully imposed
except for public purposes, and not for
private gain, and reafiirms the historic
Democratic doctrine of tariff for reye-
nue. only
1T is then asserted by the convention
in its declaration Of principles, that the
experience of mankind has shown that
by reason Of their natural qualities, gold
Is the necessary money of the large af-
fairs Of commerce and business, while
silver is conveniently adapted to minor
transactions. and the most beneficial use
OF both together can be insured only by
the adoption OF the former as a standard
of monetary measure, and a maintenance
OF silver at a parity with gold by its
limited coinage under suitable safeguards
Of law. Thus the largest possible enjoy
ment Of both metals is gained, with a
value universally accepted throughout
the world which constitutes the only
practical bimetal,ic currency, assuring the
most stable standard, and especially the
best and safest money for all who earn
their livelihood by labor or the products
Of husbandry. They cannot suffer when
paid In the best money known to man,
but are the peculiar and most defence
less victims Of a debased and -.uctuating
currency. which offers continual profits
to the money-changer 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,
practically established by the legislation
Of 1884 and 1855 the gold standard Of none
tary measurement, and likewise en-
tirely divorced the government from
banking and currency issues. To
this long-established Democratic poll
cy 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 20 the free and unlimited coinage
Of silver and to the compulsory purchase
of silver bullion
This language is but a reiteration OF
the terse demand Of the Democratic plat
form of 1892, that every dollar coined or
issued by the government, shah have
equal power In the market and in the
payment of debts.
CONSEQUENCES OF FREE SILVER.
'The convention which assembled in
Chicago in July Of the present year. in
demanding the unlimited coinage Of sill
yer dollars on the ratio of 412 IL grains
OF standard silver TO 25.S grains of stand
ard gold. with full legal-tender quality
for all debts and dues. public and private.
offered to the country a scheme from
which every voter may expect whatever
advantage to the country or himself his
reason or even his Imagination can sug-
gcst.
1.-The advocates Of the unlimited coinage
of full legal-tender silver do not agree as
to what will be the consequences Of the
adoption by the United States OF their
favorite measure. The most intelligent
know that It IS impossible by law to give
10 silver bullion or silver coin local
value in the United States, and, there
fore, Mr.. Bryan, who must be regarded as
The official interpreter OF the free-silver
dogma, asserts his belief that the I'M
limited coinage of legal-tender silver by
the United States alone would increase
the value OF silver bullion, which is to-
day CT cents per ounce, TO H29, and he
asserts his belief that under unlimited
coinage the silver dollar, containing Az IL
grains OF standard silver, coined by the
authority OF the United States, would be
OF equal acceptability and value with tho
dollar containing 25S grains OF standard
gold in all the markets of the world.
1T is something that this opinion has
no support in the experience of mankind.
IL is enough for present purposes TO say
II has no foundation other than the con-
fident assertions of those who share in
that belief. No party in the country ever
undertook so much as do the advocates
OF the unlimited coinage Of silver. They
not only undertake TO maintain CONNER
cial parity in value OF about $i34. 502. OIL
silver dollars already coined by the
United States under the authority OF tho
acts OF the 18th OF February. 1878. and or
July H. $780, and of all the silver dollars
that hereafter may be coined, but they
assume the task OF advancing tho value
OF the silver coinage OF all the nations OF
the world TO an equal acceptability and
value with coins OF gold.
CHEAP MONEY.
IF the expectation OF such OF the adj
vocates OF free coinage Of silver are real
lied. II would be difficult, upon their own
premises. TO perceive what would be