The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-09-04
Tho BblatFors,,

peopie: In order that Democrats
throughout the Union may unite their
patriotic efforts to avert disaster from
this country and ruin from their party.
The Democratic party is pledged to
equal and exact justice to all men of
everv crowd and conditions: to the larg-
est freedom of the Individual consist
ent with good government: to the pre-
servntion of the Federal Government in
Its constitutional vigor and to the sup
port of the States in all their just rights:
TO economy In the public expenditures;
to the maintenance of the public faith
ana sound money, and Ii Is opposed to
paternalism and all class legislation.
The declarations of the Chicago Con-
vention attack individual freedom the
right of private contract, the indcpcn-
dence OF the judiciary and the authority
OF the President to enforce Federal
laws. They advocate u rockies attcmpt
TO increase the price of silver by lcEisla-
tiQn 10 the dcbasement of our monetary
standard and threaten unlimited issues
of PAPER money by the Government
They abandon for Republican allies the
Democratic cause of tariff reform to
court the favor of protectionists to their
hercsy.
In view of these and other grave de-
DarturcS from Democratic principles
we cannot support the candidates Of
that convention. nor be bound by it's
acts. The Democratic party has sur
Vivcd MANY defeats. but could not sur
rivc victory won in behalf of the doc
trine and policy proclaimed In Its name
at Chicago.
The National Democracy here recon-
rened therefore renews its declaration
OF faith in Democratic principles, es-
peciaily as applicable to the conditions
OF the times Taxation, tarIfI. excise or
direct, is rightfully imposed only for
public purposes. and not for private
gain. It's amount is justly measured by
public expenditures, which should be
limited by scrupulous economy. The
sum derived by the treasury from tariff
and excise lcvies is affected by the state
of trade and volume OF consumption.
The amount required by the treasury Is
determined by the appropriations made
by Congress. The demand of the Re-
publican party for I'm increase in tarim
taxation has its pretext in the deficiency
of revenue. which has its causes in the
Stagnation of trade and reduced con-
sumption, due entirely to the loss OF
confidence that has followed the Populist
threat of free coinage and depreciation
OF our money and the Republican prac-
tice OF extravagant appropriations be-
Sond the needs of good government
We arraign and condemn the Populst
tic conventions OF Chicago and st. Louis
for their cooperation with the Republi-
can party In creating these conditions
which are pleaded In Justification OF
heavy increase of the burdens of the
people by further resort to protection.
We therefore denounce protection and
lis ally. free coinage of silver. u
schemes for the personal profit of q few
at the expense of the masses, and op-
pose the two parties which stand for
these schemes as hostile to the people
OF the Republic whose food and shelter
comfort and prosperity are attacked 10y
higher taxes and deprecated money. In
hnc, we rcatlilm the historic Democratic
uDci fnt.r
We demand that henceforth modern
and liberal policies towards American
shipping shall take the place OF our !mi-
tation or the restricted statutes OF the
eighteenth century, which have been
abandoned by every maritime mower
but the United States, and which. TO the
nations humiliation have driven Amer
ican capital and enterprise 10 the use of
alien flags and alien crews, have made
the stars and Stripes an almost I'M
known emblem In foreign ports, and
have virtually cxtinguis he'd the race of
American scamcn.
We oppose the pre;ence that discrimi
mating duties will promote shipping;
mat scheme Is an invitation to CONNER
cla! warfare upon the United States
unknown in the light of our great
commercial warfare upon the United
states, unknown in the light of our
great commercial treaties. Offering M
L
while greatly increasing ocean rrejrhts
on our agricultural and manufactured
products. The experience OF mankind
mas shown that by reason of their natu
raj qualities gold Is the necessary money
| Tor the large affairs of commerce ana
| business. while silver Is conveniently
| adapted 10 minnr transactions. and fhc
| most beneficial use of both together can
De ensured only by the adopiion of m
| ioFiner a the standard of monetary mon
| sure ana the maintenance of silver M a
parry with gold by its limited coinnun
unocr suitable safeguards OF law. Tins
inc largest possible enjoyment of hoth
nlet4ls is alhed with value universally
accepted throughout the world which
ouns 'Itutes Nhe only practical bimetallic
a.n assuring the most stable STAN
u"ld' ana especially the best and safa.,
| money for all who earn thoir li,,aiiI,,
by labor or the product ar bms,,o,'','''
ihcN cannot suffer when pajd In ~
pest money known to man. bur ore A.
PScuilaF ana almost dcfcnceless victin,r
VI uebased and fuctuating curronn;,
"h!ch oHers continual profts 10 49,
money changer at their cost ''''
hr"ilHlhG these truths dcmopS,ro,,
-! !ohE' pnhlc Inconvenience ana To-.
ne i'emocratic party. in the intn,.osts -.
ne masses and of equal iusticn no. al
'raclicaHv established by the IorieIo,iD,,
ut 1884 and 1853. the gold standori ' 80
monetary measurement and liiavisa
entirety divorced the Government r.,
banking and currency ISSUES no tbis
Iom@ established Dcmocra tic policy we
adhere. and insist upon the mointo-
nance OF the gold standard and of tbo
parry herewith of every dollar issurd
ha ..tFn