The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-13


There is evidence enough that while
the free silver advocates in the Republi-
can party are aggressive they do not
stake their views on this question against
their party loyalty. The Republican
party stands for good many other
things than sound money, although that
issue is Just now dominant and Repubii-
canism makes many more issues than that
OF the money question with the Demo-
cratic party.
Senator WoLcoTI OF Colorado, an un-
compromising aeovcate of free silver in his
party, has already announced that he pro-
poses to confne his fight within the party
u and not secure support by going outside.
And woLcoTT seemingly thus represents
the Republican sentiment Of Colorado
better than does his colleague, Senator
TELLER, who Is quoted as possible
bolter II the st. Louis convention does
nut icSObhNS ohNeA oeSoAumS w MS
liking.
As to this matter, an esteemed con-
temporary from Phenix, Arizona, fur
nishes US with an interesting report OF an
address of Colonel THOMAS FITCH, well
known In the politics OF the territory,
before the recent Republican convention.
yoicing the sentiments of his people, Col
onel FITCH is an out and out FREQ silver
ite, but 1t is made plain by the report of
the reception accorded his address
on this occasion that he also voices
the sentiments of his people in re-
naming an out and out Republican, free
silver or no free silver. "I fear" said
Colonel FITCH, with commendable per-
spicuity, "that the st. Louis Convention
may compe. us to retrace some of our
steps in this matter, and, as the states
men who control the action OF this con-
vention have not included me among
those deemed most fit TO represent Arizo-
ma at st. Louis, feel quite at liberty to
tell the truth"
Colonel FITCH became widely known in
the south and west az vice president of
the national executive committee OF the
silver convention, in which capacity he
travelled and made speeches with A. j.
WARREN, the president of the commit
tee, preaching the doctrine of free silver.
His record on the silver question is unas-
sailsble from the standpoint OF the free
silverftes. And yet Colonel FITCH do
clared In this address: "There are other
circumstances quite as influential which
must be potent In determining my future
action, and the future action OF many Re
publicans in this matter" We quote
CaIpnel FITCH as to this as reported in
our contemporary:
"This morring friend, who is n member
OF this convention. and who now honors me
you have always been n pronounced advocate
Of the free coinage Of silver. what will you do
II the ST. Louis convention shall adopt a
plank in their platform favorins n single
gold standard and denounc cling the free CON.
age of silverr did not answer his question
tbes. hut. with your permission, will do 50
now (Applause)
I" 1 belong TO the Rspubl party because
Its history is the history OF the growth, the
greatness and the fresdom of this nation: be-
cause its.purposss are patriotic; because it Ia
the friend OF labor without being the foo Of
thrift; because IL is wise: because 10 is just:
because It's restoration to complete power will
rskindle fhe furnaces aud start tho turbines,
and I'LL the land with tho music OF contented
and well paid toll, and put bread into mems
mouths and hope into their hearts. Zap
plause.)
81 belong TO the Republican party because
10 is the grandest political organisation OF
freemen that the world has ever known; be-
cause under its wise guidance. star after stsr
has heen added 10 our flag: ship after ship
has been added to our fleets; factory after
factory has been added TO our resources.
millions upon millions have been added 10
our wealth, city after city has been developed
from our villages, and the land has been laced
with net work of iron rails. and furnace
fires have illuminated the night and the
grand dispsson Of labor has been made to
sound shroughout the continent
81 belong TO the Republican party because
under Its inspiration these United States
once wrangliug and discordans common.
wealth. these United States. once sbamed
with slavery and dscrepis with the disease of
secession. these United States have become a
country whore no slaves presence dishonors
labor, where no frssman's usterances are
choked by the hand Of power. where no man
dots bis hat to another except through the
courtesy Of equals, where education Ia free,
where manhood is respected and where labor
is protected. cloud spplausel.
"Forty years ago, then lad OF Is. i joined
the Republican ranks and. too young to
vote, yet I flung my blazing brand aloft for
Fremont and Jessie. I was present as n