The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-03-05
THE SILVER SLOGAN SOUNDED.
TO ORGANIZE SOUTH CAROLINA.


M l,ne Up for tho Fight.
To tho People OF South Carolina:
With the presidential campaign OF
1896 the time has again como in the
history OF civilization when mon are
compelled to take q determined stand
with courage and tirmness that
knows no defeat--for tho rights OF
human against the greed OF an in
trenched money power. This year
may prove the last opportunity tor the
cause OF tho people to win peacefully
by the ballot.
Bondholders and their cohorts OF
centralized wealth are rapidly rivet-
ing the shaCklcs Of q degraded sorfdom
on the producers OF the whole world.
Mon OF all classes Of buSint SIN pro-
duction, manufacture and distribution
-are feeling more heavily every day
the burden Of tributo they arc paying
Of banking and bondholding classes
the plutOcratic socialists. The intelli-
gence Of tho citiZon OF this republic
renders 1t necessary for our people to
lead tho nations in the fight for cur
rency reform. Through tho discus
sions OF the last fcw years the intelli
; gent voter has como to understand,
much better than formerly, how tho
profits OF all industry arc absorbed by
tho drones OF tho creditors classes, by
controlling tho tissue and volume Of ali
money and continually increasing its
purchasing power.
The period Of educational agitation
and theoretical discussion ID rapidly
passing. The timo for action has
} como. Tho united action OF tho people
on the financial issue is the only means
OF success for the reforms necessary.
All patriotic citizcns-espcciaily tho
producers OF tho raw material, tho
farmer and miner tho producer OF the
finished article--tho manufacturer
and tho distributors--th merchant
and tho commercial men, should
equally bear the responsibilities of
this grand tight for humanity against
tho Shylocks Of Eugland and Wall
street.
We cannot daily with tho danger
nor longer be deceived by the dilatory
tactics of party politicians. That both
parties in charge OF our government
now are scrvilc tools OF tho money
power is Il notorious fact known of all
men. Shylock has already led odt the
; Republican party as tho winner this
! year. The Democratic leaders them-
selves confess that there is no hope
: for their party in the coming elections.
Its national convention will ouly be
l held to give the leaders-pretended
friends OF silver, but really tho slaves
OF Wall street goldolators-a chance to
: try their hands at keeping some OF the
! Southern States in limo with another
). platform straddle and u milk-andcider
candidate. Going into tho national
convention OF either ono OF the old
: parties only means deception and di-
vision OF the silver forces and final de-
feat to tho cause OF currency reform.
Tie people must take charge Of this
fight themselves from the beginning
mako it open, honest and straight, and
resign none Of their vital interests
only work for party success.
A conference OF silver men OF al
parties was held in Washington, d.
| c., on January 22-23 ultimo. 1t was
| the unanimous opinion OF that confer
ence that the friends of silver coinage
must 1T once prepare for independent
action. Il national convention was
called to meet at ST. Louis on July 22d.
In adopting a platform and nominat-
cooperate with the Peoples party and
all other friends OF currency reform. A
national committee was selected and
headquarters established at Washing
ton and tho work OF organization will |
be rapidly pushed.
After consultation with friends Of
the cause in this State, and feeling it
my duty as a member OF the national |
| committee Of the American Silver |
Party from South Carolina, I have de-
cided to issue this address-appealing
to all patriotic citizens, who realize the
supreme Importance OF the money
issue, without regard to party affilia-
tlons or views on other questions, to
unite at once in an organization with
the following propositions as basis.
lst. The free and unlimited coinage
of gold and silver, at tho legal ratio OF
l to l6, by the United States govern
ment, independent Of the action Of any
! foreign power.
| 2l. The power to control and regu-
late u paper currency is inseparable
| from tho pOwor to coin money hence
bank issuea should be abolished and all
currency intended to circulate as money
should be issued, and it's volume con-
trolled, by the the general government
only and it should be full legal ten
der. The volume OF currency-gold,
silver and paper-to be sufficient to do
the business Of the country on cash
basis.
| Unalterable opposition to the Issue
uf intcrcstbearing bonds by the
United States in time OF peace. The
payment of coin obligations Of the
| United States, as provided by existing
law, in either silver Or silver coin, at
the option OF tho government and not
at the option OF the creditor.
70 facilitate the organization OF the
silver forces in this State l will make
| tho following practical suggestions
First. Organize silver league,
with pledge to stand by the above
platform, at every voting precinct
In tho Statc-and more II neces-
sary. As soon as organized send mo
at Denver, Anderson County, S. c.,
the name, postofiice and county OF the
secretary OF each league, 80 that | can
have sent him literature for distribu-
president, vice-presidont, secretary
and executive committee.
Second. 4 county convention should
be hold not later than May LIST, to
elect IL county chairman, county exc
cntive committee and a mcmbor OF tho
State executive committee.
Third. AS soon as possible after
May lsL a meeting OF the State exccu-