The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-08-08


part, by hrst serving the wholef
The real question then which confronts
us 10 to how to proceed In this campaign
In the way that will reduce TO the mini
mum the chances,for victory next Novem-
Der OF the ticket which stands for finan-
cial fanaticism.
There Is no occasion for us to argue
against silver and In favor of gold. The
very fact OF each mans presence here In
dicates bis views OF the currency ques-
tion. Ii Is matter of safe assumption
that We are all agreed In our opposition to
Mr.. Bryan. How shall we manifest that
oppositionf That is the question. In that
Is well answered this conference Will not
nave been In vain. do not presume, at
this point to suggest one way as being
better than another. OF the several
courses suggested, each one has its ad-
vantages and its faults.
i realize that the habit Of party affilia-
tion is strong. IL 10 not easy nor desira-
BILE to be mugwunp. The idea OF cast
ing ballot for Mr.. Mckinley is repel-
liant But suppose we agree to doing tnat.
Will we, In so doing, be disloyal TO the
Democratic party? Will we annul our
right OF taking part In it's councils In
the futurey DO not think so. No one
would question our motives, and IL Is by
motives that men must be judged in
public, as well as In private life.
because OF It's associations with unwise
and unjust tariff legisla tion.
doubt very much, MIR. President, II
the tariff laws OF this country are changed
during this next three years. no matter
who Is elected. And IL they were--then
what? This country would make a bad
business mistake, Ii would be guilty OF a
blunder In the commercial relations with
other. r.countries. IL would not be dis
honor. 1t would be- an error of judg-
ment, attended no doubt by undesirable
results, but nevertheless nothing but
what could be reversed and remedied by
q succeeding administration.
A business man may make mistake
and at the end OF the year the excess De
on the wrong side OF bis cash account.
He has not been dishonest, he has not
tried to evade his Just debts, and In an
other year, profting by past experience,
ne can recover bis Losses. But let that
same man be guilty of deliberate wrong,
let him resort to trickery in dealing with
his fellows, and he will lose more
than dollars ana cents. lie will lose his
credit and his reputation and another
twelve months will not restore them, and
as with the individual so 1t Is with the
nation
An administration under Mckinley
might be impaired by an economic mis-
take. Ii IN not too much to say that an
branded and blackened by public dis
honesty and repudistion.
Therefore, IL the surcst way for us to
defeat Bryan 10 by casting our votes for
Mckinley, 1t is our duty as American
patriots, yes, our duty as Democrats too,
To decide upon that course of action.
Perhaps, on the other hand, IL may not
be necessary for us TO formally endorse
the Republican nominee at this confer
ence. Perhaps it.may be sufficient for
Us to adopt third platform, which shall
set forth our loyalty TO the country's in
tegrity, without naming any candidate,
and then let each man do what the situa-
tion in his own community seems TO re-
quire.
And again IL, after calm deliberation
and the careful weighing of all the fac
tors In the problem, this body of men
decides that the best course lies in the
calling of another national convention,
and the naming OF a Democratic ticket
that would not be a reproach to the
party, can safely. pledge the hearty
support OF the sound money Democrats
OF Rhode Island to such ticket.
Mr. Outhwaite. chairman of the sub
committee, then presented the call for the
convention as follows:
'To the People of the United States:
THE Democratic party, during its
whole history. has been pledged to pro-
mote the liberty of the individual, the
security of private rights and property
and the supremacy OF the law. II has
always insisted upon a safe and stable
money for the peoples use. 1t has In
sisted upon the maintenance of the
financial honor of the nation. as we'll as
the preservation inviolate of the insti-
tutions established by the constitution.
These its principles were abandoned by
the supposed representatives of the
party at a national convention recently
assembled at Chicago. The Democratic
party will therefore cease to exist unless
1t be preserved by the voluntary action
of suchsef its members rs still adhere Ia
the fundamental principles. No majority
of the members OF that convention, how
ever large, had any right or power to
surrender those principles.
when they undertook to do so. that as
semblage ceased TO be a Democratic con-
vention. The action taken. the irregular
proceedings and the platform enunci-
ated by that body. were. and are. so ut
terly and indefensibly revolutionary and
constitute such radical departures from
the principles Of true Democracy which
should characterize a sound and patriotic
administration or our country's affairs,
that its results are not entitled to the
confidence or support OF true Democrats.
For the first time since national par
ties were formed, there is not before the
American people a platform declaring
the principles OF the Democratic party as
recognized and most courageously and
consistently administered by Jefferson.
Jackson and Cleveland, nor are there
nominees for the offices of President and
vice president OF the United States
pledged to carry those principles into
practical effect. The faithful and true
Democrats of the United States are de-
terinined that their principles shall not
be ruthlessly surrendered, nor the people
he deprived of an opportunity to vote for
candidates In accord Herewith.
Therefore. the National Democratic
party of the United States. through its
regularly constituted committee. hereby
calls a natia.nal convention of,that party,
for the announcement of it's platform
and the nomination of candidates for the
Office of President and vice president OF