Evening star., 1896-09-17

Major Rockwell was greeted with much ap-
plause as he appeared upon the platform.
He was introduced by Temporary Chair
man Grady.
Major Rockwe1Ia Remarks.
After thanking the convention for the
honor conferred upon him, Major Rockwell
said, In part:
After the adjournment of the national
democratic convention at Chicago, dis
tinguished ex-governor of this state, who
participated in its proceedings, but who has
since fled to the cave Of Adullam at In
dianapolis. Is reported to have said that
the platform was just suited to the candi-
| dates and the candidates to the PLATFORM
And, although the remark was made by
way of disparagement yet from the ex-
preston of sentiment which we have al
ready had here, and from the instructions
which we have received from our constitu-
ents, believe that the platform and can
didates not only suited to each other,
but are suited to the need and requirements
| of the whole American people. that they
meet the approval Of the party, and that in
November they will receive the approval Of
| the majority of the voters of the nation.
For many years our people have had to
| struggle with adverse conditions rather
| than with political theories.
Early In 1893 conditions which had been
| slowly but surely ripening, under q false
and mischievous financial system. resulted
]
| prostration of our commerce and indus
| tries. Banks closed their doors and many
| of our oldest and strongest business in
| stitutions were forced to the wall. Fac
tories were closed and great armies of the
| unemployed looked despairingly on and
saw their wives and children suffering for
| the necessaries of life. Congress was con-
| vened In special session for the purpose
! of devisng means to relieve the situation.
During the debates which ensued the senior
Senator from this state said in his place
| in the Senate: The paramount remedy for
all our financial evils is a return to the
system of bimetallism which existed prior
to 1879
Gentlemen. we are democrats, and we
are not revolutionists.
Financial Ills Still Exist.
1.-The financial evils from which we then
suffered still exist. Business still Ian
guishes. The army of the unemployed still
stands with folded arms and wistful eyes
waiting to see the wheels Of industry again
in motion. Our opponents offer us no rem
edy or relief.
IF the policy of steadfast adherence to
gold monometallism enunciated by them
for the first time in the national platform
of any political party shall be made effec-
| tive, then we are without hope.
"And what Is our remedy?
What was the system of bimetallisn
which prevailed prior to 1873? 1t was the
free and unlimited coinage of both gold
l
discrimination at a ratio of practically
16 to !, exactly what is demanded by the
, Chicago platform.
1T is the bimetallic system Of the Con
; stitution, which reserves to the fedora
government the exclusive right to coir
money and forbids the states from making
anything other than gold and silver coin:
of the United States a legal tender on thu
payment of debts. 1t is the system found
ed by that great constructive Statesman
and fnancief. Alexander Hamilton, by ane
| with the advice. consent and cooperate:
of the father of democracy, Thomas JET
ferson, and the other early statesmen.
The St. Louis Convention.
"rhe representatives of the monopolie
, | and syndicates who controlled the st. Louis
, convention realized fully that their inter
| ests were at stake. Two hundred and six
3 ty-nine million of dollars of bonded indebt
edness had been created, ostensibly t.
maintain the gold reserve. In the sale o
7 these bonds a great scandal had beel
| created, and 1t was currently stated an
generally believed that the profits of tn
: Morgan syndicate on a single issue wer
about $12,OOO,OOO. While a senatorial con,
= mittee was in SCI ssion trying to ascertain
a the truth er falsity Of this statement, tn
e republican leaders of the St Louis conven
tlon prepared the gold plank of their plat
!, form, wired it to ]. p Morgan & Compan
for approval, received reply that 1t wa
eminently satisfactory and adopted it.
|
y platform in favor Of the single standar
n and in opposition to the use of silver a
= lawful money.
J. ."The republican party demands the main
r tenance of the gold standard in violatio
Of all its past teachings and policy, and i
: violation Of the Constitution.
= "It is charged that we are repudiationist:
= "They say that we are in favor of s:
= cent dollar to be used In the payment c
d debts.
g '0ur answer is that a return to the sy.
l., tenn Of bimetallism which existed prior
/. | 1873 means that geld and silver shall b
e kept at parity Of value according to tn
s legal ratio.
Can Restore What 1t Destroyed.
- |. 1--WE claim that what legislation destro,
l. led it can restore. We entered on the roa
l. to gold monometallism by legislation. Fini
=. ling that we made mistake, let us get bac
T. to our starting point That is the tr,
= meaning Of our platform.
" "The consequences Of our mistake ha,
been most disastrous. Ever since 18