Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-10-27
POLITICAL MEETINGS.

The Bryan-Sewall and Rixey Club
meeting at Sarepta Hall last night was
largely attended and the speech Of Mr.,
James R. Cation, who addressed the
meeting, was listened to with close at
tention, and the speaker received FREE
queut applause. Mr.. Cation said in the
opening of his remarks that he had once
been chairman of the democratic party
for FIVE years and had never found it
necessary to confer with republican
managers about the conduct OF demo-
cratic campaign, and thought true de-
mocracy did not need bolstering up
by either republican managers or
principles. He the discussed the money
plank of the Chicago platform and
maintained that 1t was on relteration
Of their honored principles, and defend
ed and discussed the several para.
gradhs of the money plank and support
ed his position By fs cts aud statistics and
challenged contradiction. He combat
ted the arguments OF the republicans
and their allies as TO over production
being the cause Of existing conditions.
He argued that all the gold and silver
coinage of the world amounted 10 only
$3.50 per capita for the worlds popula
ton and thai the idea of India, Japan
and China sending their silver ware Tor
coinage was absurd as their whole circu-
lation combined of silver and paper
amounted TO $3.50 per capita. He as
serted that overproduction OF sill
yer did not account for the present
commercial ratio OF 81 to l, as the pro-
duction of silver from 1870 10 1895
amounted only to u Of silver to one OF
gold, and insisted and proved con-
clusively the present condition OF silver
was due really to absurd legislation,
which had forced silver down
and given to gold fictitious
value. He showed. Notwithstanding
the contentious of the republican and
gold standard advocates, that this coun-
try had been Oh gold basis since 1881,
that we lost 81, 49,, 100000 OF our gold
| coinage. He argued that even after
silver was demonetized in 1873 by the
United States and its action was follow
ed by the continent Of Europe our
/ silver dollar was worth as bullion IS
cents, and never went below 10 cents
until the repeal of the Sherman
purchasing act and vigorously main
tanned that free coinage would restore
the parity between the two metals.
He then arraigned the policy OF the
government for giving to the holders
Of government obligations the right 10
elect how such obligations should be
paid and supported his argument by the
speeches OF Attorney General Deeyins
and others, and pointed out how, if
J such rule had been maintained prior
| to 1873, the creditor could have de-
handed payment in silver dollars, then
worth $40 in gold.
The Prohibition Club held their final
meeting last night at the Opera House.
Judge Moulton, of Washington, who
was to have spoken, could not be pre-
sent, having been called to New York
on legal business. The speaker Of The
evening was Mr.. Edwin Higgins, of
Baltimore. Mr.. \. S. Greenaway pre-
sided. The meeting opened with sing
ing RESCUE the Pershing" by chorus
of girls. MIR. Higgins stated that the
cause of prohibition had been recog-
nzed by the greatest men of the age,
Gladstone, John Bright, Lord Rose
berry and others. Our own Supreme
Court had decided in its favor. 1t ex-
listed only by common consent. Ii
censes were for one year only and
at their expiration if the people
willed they need not be re-
newed. Neither the democratic or
republican parties could champion
prohibition. They were not organized
for that purpose. To champion the
cause new party was needed and for
that reason the prohibition party sprang
into existence. 1t was bound TO win.
Thirteen million children were now
studying in our schools the effect OF
alcohol on the human system. He ap-
pealed to the young men to help the
cause. twas their opportunity. Now
when the party was forming it needed
their help, after it was organized and
had a show to win, the politicians
would come and declare they had al
ways been for prohibition and their
father before them had been great
Good Templar. He urged them to sac
rifice their vote. Washington never
went home the whole eight years of
the Revolution. He sacrificed home
for his country. Sacrifice your vote
for the cause of humanity 1t would |
never be thrown away. 1t would be
counted, and be every year increased.
The voice without the ballot was blank |
cartridge; with it shot to the centre.
The meeting closed with the singing OF
America" by the entire audience.