The San Francisco call., 1896-08-30
The Southern Senator DiscourSeS
on the Silver Ques-
tion.
ATTACK ON sHERMAN's VIEWS.
Democratic Criticism on the Past and
Present Utterances of Re.
pub leans.

Three thousand patriots packed Metro
politan Temple to the doors last evening
long before o'clock. The occasion of the
immense gathering was the opening of the
Democratic campaign in San Francisco.
Senator Stephen N. White, the eloquent
son of Southern California, was to telIthe
people of the benefits to be derived from
another four years of Democratic rule un-
der the guidance of William J. Bryan, the
apostle of free trade and free silver.
The Senator from Los Angeles was late
in arriving, and the immense audience,
perspiring and impatient, found vent for
its feelings in cheering the mention OF
Bryan, whose name was proposed for
three cheers and tiger every few minutes.
At 8 30 the honored guest arrived. escorted
by brass band and the Iroquois Club.
William J. Afford, chairman of the
Democratic State Central Committee,
called the meeting to order, and in intro
ducing the speaker of the evening, said:
awe are here tonight to open the Dem
ocratic campaign in California. We have
no apologies to make and no excuses to
offer, hut will go to battle under one
standard, the free coinage of silver" He
introduced Charles d. Lane, the chairman
Of the meeting.
Mr.. Lane disclaimed being an orator
and then did his best to deliver an ora
ton. He said that he is not q candidate
for any Office, and explained why he is an
advocate of free silver. although q gold
miner. He talked briefly on the financial
question and then introduced Senator
Stephen NJ. White, whose remarks were
preceded by the effort of a weak-lunged
quartet, led by q tenor whose ancient
song, rendered in a slang phrase, de-
scribed wished-for result OF the Novem-
Der election.
Senator White said in part:
The issues which the people of this country
are called upon to solve are of momentous
consequence. In no day within my recollection
has there been manifested such a condition as
displays itself to-day. Parties seem to some
extent to be disrupted, and men who formerly
were found with this or that particular pOliti-
cal family seem TO doubt where they belong.
There seems to me, however, to be no question
OF where the patriot belongs
When come here tonight after talking with
many of my Republican friends and with
many of nay own political faith wonder at
the lines which see drawn and the senti-
ments of some OF those whom have hereto
fore supposed felt real convictions upon which
publican party Of California, which had sup
posed based its claims to life upon its actions
and upon its consistency-upon those events
in its history which gave it claim 10 public
recognition
I look at that organization two years ago.
find ii meeting here in solemn convention in
the State of California, its delegates lawfully
elected, and find it resolving in favor OF a
free and unlimited coinage of silver. ! look
upon more recent date and find simil ar
declaration in the convention OF that organi-
cation which sent to st. Louis those lawfully
elected delegates who were pledged to the
adoption Of the same declaration of free silver
at ratio of 16 TO /. see these delegates Of
that party too long dominant in this country
convened in the city OF ST. Louis. l witnessed
nearly all of them voting for the free coinage
of silver at 10 to and following the leader
rhf nf hat rx1a
Henry n. Teller of Colorado. l noticed the
conduct of that convention adverce to their
ideas. see those same men who went to st.
Louis, advocates of the theory OF 10 TO 1, come
back TO the State of California.
They went TO st. Louis screaming for the
free and unlimited coinage OF silver. and they
came back to California screaming for the
single gold standard. They come to this City
with no credentials from California. They
left those in ST. Louis, and came back repu-
dating the State platform of their party.
California ! look at the Bulletin and Call,
which have preached from time immemorial
which is edited by one OF the most earnest of
silver's advocates, Mr.. de Young, who has
taught me much of my silver sentiment. /
know that he would not change his views for
printed one of the most splendid arguments
IN favor OF free silver ever written.
Hitwere not copyrighted would have it
printed myself at my own expense. Now you
find Mr.. de Young and his paper IN favor OF
the single gold standard. 1 do not wish to
disparage that gentleman, but say this 10
snow you that there is great power behind
this gold movement, which power nothing but
the sentiment of the great American people is
potential enough to overcome. 1t is to that
sentiment that appeal. 1t is to that Ameri-
can people who cannot be intimidated that
the Democracy of to-day appeals.
What is this silver issue? Mr.. Mckinley has
sent his elaborate message to the American
people. He devotes considerable part of it
10 the discussion of the free coinage of silver.
He admits that it Is not well that we should
have gold monOmetallism, but says there is no
remedy for it, and that the great remedy for
which the American people have been pining
and signing is that we have more taxes; the
great remedy which he suggests to Americans
Is more taxes. He asks: How can we sup
port our Government without sufficient rev.
euue?" But, gentlemen, let me ask Mr.. Me-
Kinley how it is possible for US TO pay taxes
unless we have something to pay taxes with?
Is there anything novel about this matter of
free coinage OF silver? Some OF our friends
who call themselves Democrats, few who
hold Office and few less who do not, tell us
that It would be q terrible thing to declare in
favor Of the free coinage OF silver, and occa-
sionally call upon the shades OF Jackson and
Jefferson TO testify against our claim, suppos-
ing and hoping that no one viii ever 1nVesti-
gate the fact or the conditions.
If am TO speak to Democrats suppose l
may refer TO the constitution OF the United
States as at least TO some extent worthy OF
consideration. Mr.. Vanderbilt made use OF
famous expression, in which he said, "the
Democratic friends have used similar ex-
preston in reference to the cons itution and
particularly to that portion OF it which says
that no State may change the law in regard TO
making certain kinds of money legal tenders,
and also in regard to that portion which says
that no State shall issue money.
The Bland act made silver legal tender and
thus far II was all that could be asked, but 1t
limited the functions and power OF silver be-
cause II restricted the extent of its coinage,
and the contention OF the Democratic party IS
that never can there be fair test between gold
ana silver until each are given the same
chance before the law AS well might we at
Tempt TO lake two men of equal physical
strength and actual ability and engage them
IN iootrhce and tie one foot OF one of the con-
tesIahts ana leave the other man totally free
anu expect them 10 come out equal at the end
OF inc race as TO suppose silver shoulG come
OUT equal with gold when hampered with the
ietters OF adverse legislation
Again. about the Matthews resolution Tr
was attempted in some quarters TO restrict the
power OF redemption to gold alone. senator
Matthews OF Ohio, one of the ablest men of
the Republican party, introduced and there
was passed IN the Senate and House a resoIn-
tfon containing among other things, the fol-
lowing:
''That all the bonds of the United States are
payable, principal and interest at the option
of the Government of the United States in
silver dollars OF the coinage OF the United