The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-07-23
O'clock was finally successful and the
temporary chairman al 1916 declared the
convention adjourned until that hour.
SILVER SEEMS SCARCE.
St. Johns CraDks Worried
About the Expenses Of
Their Ridiculous
Show.

order at 1927 O'Clock by Chairman st.
John. He stated that the Rev. DR..
Joseph Nichols. who had been asked
to open the proceedings with prayer had
been suddenly called from the city and
therefore the convention would not have
the pleasure of listening to him. Il
trust we are all in the spirit of prayer
he added affirmative applause).
Mr. Newlands of Nevada stated that
he understood the expenses of the con
vention had not been provided for, and
moved that a committee on ways and
means be appointed to provide the neces-
sary funds. Agreed to.
Chairman st. John then introduced to
the convention it's Vice Chairman,
Charles A. Towns of Minnesota He was
received with great applause. He spoke
as folIows:-
Conventioh-Tne situation of our affairs
Is most grave. Men long entrusted with
power have come to regard themselves as
the source of it, and their own selfish
Every instrumentality that could minis
ter to 1T has been pressed into service.
Industrial, social and political forces
have been adroitly availed Of, not only to
bestow rich results upon the manipulat-
ors, but to give the process all the ap-
pearance of a natural and orderly evolu-
ton. Laws have been compelled to speak
the will of a class instead of the fiat. of
the people. Legislatures and admins
trations have been puppets, and recently,
for the first time in the history Of our
institutions, the tide of suspicion has
even risen about the Judiciary and threat
ened to undermine the very bu1wark of
the Constitution: while the press. by the
sacrifices and through the wisdom of
the fathers. made free as the chief guar
anty of liberty, has N great part forgot
f1-af1 ND nsa
plant instrument of oppression
Ambition has almost ceased TO be
honorable. Glory has narrowed to mere
success, Liberal attachments are dis
prised. Money has become god. Wealth
has erected an altar on which are sacri-
feed the beauties and graces Of life, the
richest treasures OF the mind the dearest
possessions of the heart the hottest emo
tions of the soul. But the hour of re-
generation is at hand. We are in the
vortex of great events We are making
history. We are returning to the first
principles of our government. The age
of chivalry has not wholly gone; the
age of calculators and economists has
the Republic is not yet extingliished
The people of the United States, having
for some time been remiss in vigilance
and having therefore impeflled their
liberties, are about to resume control of
their own affairs; and on every side are
seen the portents of the impending
change. Demos has been sleeping. He
has at length awakened and the COM
tinent is trembling under his heavy
stride.
rssentatives Of great and dominant
party met in convention. Behind 1t was
g n,stcry of nla.ch honorable and glorious
pect Of continued power 1t seemed an
opportune time for those who were able
to control the action of that convention
to fasten upon the country, through a
definite commitment thereto of TIE party
apparently destined to a long possession
OF the government, an alien monetary
policy which. already RESPONSIBLE for the
doom the productive forces of the nation
10 an endless slavery to the owners of
gold, EsxSplicftely almost definitely, the
time in this or any other country a
great party declared in favor of the Single
gold STANDARD, I make bold to say that
10 me opinions Of the great majority of
ITS constituents. ! am aware of the plat
form Sb5atemen6s tba 1,z to the effect adopted
tions. but remember also the platforms
adopted in the former years by the States
ard the National Republican Conventions
can party was pledged to bimetalii5m al
explicitly and honestly as it was ever
pledged to anything. and Isknow that the
masses of that party were honest in their
adherence to that principle If SO, the ab-
solute reversal of belief by the platform
or 1895 cannot be accepted as an honest
expression of Republican sentiment Such
complete and causeless change is simply
Incredible Many will acquiesce in the
surrender because of that mistaken party
eonformitv which confuses all loyalty
sild ohl5ga ton and others because OF the
nope OF prefernlent as the reward of
subserviency. But thousands and hum
dreds of thousands will not do so. Their
protest has been .already heard Many
ex~ression Of Their determination to
place the interests of the country above
tlns @ concerns Of party, We remain by the
though our banners have been stolen
We stand upon the ancient ways. we
stand where the fathers stood, the ia
the Republican party. We stand by the
Constitution We stand where Hamil
ton and Jefferson and Webster and
lincoln and Blaine gil stood. and
where they would stand today If tqley
could again devote their lives to the SER
vice of the country. The bold and bald
declaration for the gold standard has
and agitation had gradually prepared The
public mind until 1t was in a condition
like that of certain chemical solutions
that. need only the addition of the
single ingredient to cause the crystaliza-
ton of the whole mass The declaraf On.
did it. The crystalization began I'm
aer circumstances whose s0lemnity and
number of leaders of that convention. led
| by the grand old man Of Colorado re-
gretIu1iy put QeIerm1neQly severed the
| bonds of party and followed their con-
victions into the freedom and ii1depend ence
| of original citizenship
Meanwhile events were developing ran
| lilly in the Democratic party, and when its
~reaf convention met IN the CITY of
| Chicago, q large majority was found 10
| hA aeainslt the policy that had caDtured
its great rival and had once counted on
| capturing it also. Fortunate Democracy.
70 have been the beneficiary of 4 rebirfh
of Americanisrn: and happy gold and sill
yer Democrats to have been able to re-
main true TO their country without yjo-
lonce to the amiable prejudices of party
association.
But though that great convention knew
It's mind upon its platform, 1T was all at
sea for a candidate. Many results were
possible, but who now. looking back.
can doubt that the best transpired?
Reverently let us believe now in
the providence of the God Of nations.
,rhewo PRO M accidents Not
Lochinvar" come out of the West. Born
the State and community that had Wit
messed the preparation Of that matchIess
character for his glory and passion. re-
moving in early professional lsfa to a
more Western State; man of the common
people, knowing their needs, sympathizing
with their SORROWS. understanding their
ways: without powerful connections and
| lacking wealth; by the sheer force Of
| his character and the brtlliancy of his
talents forcing himself at 50 years of
age to the candidacy of a great party,
! nay, to the prF7racy of a great
| cause. for the Presidency of thn