The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1896-06-25

form. The Republican, party has never been
the party of a single standard. q pD1ause.l
1T was a bimetallic party III It's origin, I'M
all its history. In 1855 1t declared for
binetallisrn, iii 1892 it declared for binlet-
nllism. In 1886 it declared for il single
gold standard. In 1883 we carried the state
that | here represent for the Republican
nominee; we carried it on u bi,netallics
platform. We carried it with a majority
that equalled, considering our vote, that
Of any state in the Union 1t has been
Republican state from the hour of its adj
mission. 1t has kept In the senate Repub-
@lican senator's, and in the house Republic
can members. Fl.
Do you believe that the American people
are too weak to actually maintain a finan-
cial system commensurate with the bust
ness of the country or their own fruition?
Gentlemen of the convention, YOU will
have no bilnetallic agreement with all
the great commercial nations of the world
and it cannot be obtained. So this means
q declaration that this country is to be
put upon the gold standard for all time
Do you believe that Great Britain, that
great commercial nation of the world, our
powerful competitor in commerce and
trade, Will ever agree to open her mints to
the coinage of silver, or that we shall open
ours? We are the greatest nation Of the
world. Great Britain is the great creditor.
We pay every year millions and hundreds
Of millions of dollars as income on her
Investments in this country on her loans.
The gold standard, in my Judgment,
lowers prices and decreases values. And
she buys Of US millions and millions more
than she sells us. She buys upon a gold
standard, a lower and depreciating stand
ard. How long do you think it will be
before she will agree to a system of values
that raises the price Of the products Of our
mines in this country? It is solemn dec
laration that the Republican party intends
to maintain low prices and stagnated bust
ness for all time to come.
There is O beautiful provision in this plat
form about the tariff I subscribe to that.
(Applause and cheers from all over the
house,. I believe in a protective tariff.
More applause.) I have advocated it for
forty years (applause), but it is my solemn,
conviction that a protective tariff cannot
be maintained on gold standard. Under
existing conditions, we undoubtedly have
the gold standard. do not deny that but
what have sought for twenty years is to
change it to the bimetalic system. I have
believed and yet do believe that when the
almighty created these twin metals, he in
tended that the world should use them for
the purposes for which they were created
applause from the silver mem, and when
he blessed this land with more gold and
silver than any other country in the world
he meant that we should use them for the
purposes for which they were intended,
to wit: the use of them as standard money.
We to-day reverse the traditions of our
country and declare we will use only one.
If the American people are in favor of
that have nothing to say. I must submit
to the majority vote and the majority
voice In this country of ours. I do not be-
lieve this party Of ours, If it could be
polled, is in favor Of the gold standard.
believe that fifty per cent Of the people
are in favor Of bimetallism Of the old
fashioned system that existed in this coun-
try up to 1873.
My friends, I am sustained in my view Of
the danger that is coming to us and coming
to the world by the adoption Of the gold
standard, by the intelligence Of the world.
Let me tell you that the best part Of the
world Is with the advocates Of bimetallism
All the great political teachers of Europe,
with the exception of five or six, are the
pronounced advocates Of bimetallism, I'M
restrained bimetallism. All of the great
teachers of political economy in the Euro
pean colleges, without exception, are in
favor of bimetallism. My own Judgment.
based, as have said to you, on careful
preparation and careful study for twenty
years, bears me out and puts me in accord
with them, and I would be truant to nv
trust If I failed to protest here and If I
failed when the Republican party makes
this one Of the tenets Of it's faith, to sever
my connection with thar party applause
and cries Of no). q. - ~ MI
Mr.. President, ask your permission to
say few things personal to myself,
and when have said them, having told
you what my conscience demands that I
should do, will leave this question for
your consideration Do you suppose that
mySe!. or any Of my associates who act with
me and take the same view Of this ques-
ton that do: do you suppose that we can
take this step without distress? Do YOU
suppose that we could take 1t for any per-
soma. advantage OF any honor that could be
conferred upon us? We say 1t is a ques-
ton OF duty. You may nominate in this
convention any man you choose; if you
nominate on the right kind Of a platform I
WILL vote for him. You may take any meth.
DDS to nominate him that you see proper.
l Will defer to your judgment and support
him, II the platform Is a right one; but
when you ask me to surrender to YOU NV
principles, as an honest man, I cannot do
that. l realize what 1t will cost us. I
realize that the contumely that will be
heaped upon us; but, my fellow citizens. /
have been through this re,-before tho
political party to which you belong had q
oe1ng. nave advocated cause more I'M
popular than the silver cause. have stood
for the doctrine of free homes and free
speech. l am used to detraction: I am
used to abuse and l have had it heaped no.
on me- without stint. When the Republi-
can party was organized was there. With
its distinguished leaders, its distinguished
close
communion and close friendship. I have
shared in its honors, and in its few defeats
and disasters. Do you think that we can
sever our connection with party like this
unless it be matter Of duty-a duty to
all people of this great land? (applause).
Mr.. President, there are few men in a
political party that have been honored more
than have by the people in the state in
which live. There are few men in this
convention or any where else who have
been connected with this organization long.
er than l. There are few men who have
been more active and none in it, no. not
one. who has been more attached to. the
great principles of this party than I have
been and and you cannot 60 out Of it
without heart burnings and feeling that
no man can appreciate who has not en-.
dured it; yet cannot before my country
and my God agree to that provision that
shall put upon this country a gold stand.
ard and will not. Great applause. J
(More.J -i
And do not care what may be the result.
II 1t takes me out of political life, I will
go out with feeling that at least I main.
tain my consistency and my manhood and
that my conscience is clear and that my
country will have no right to find fault
with me. (Cheers.l
beg your pardon for saying things So
personal, but yet, If a personal act that
n imnlioc q,