The San Francisco call., 1896-09-13

was the pdtrlclQdl nanQ or the Democratic
party raised against the author of its exist
ence-the constitution. Never before was its
suicidal hand raised against its own existence.
When we plead for the constitution we are
called traitors. When we strike down the
felonious hand raised to destroy our party we
are called boilers.
With a firIn resolve to do our duty by our
country and by our party; with reliance on
the sober Sc cond thought on the part of our
infatuated brethren and on the vindication
that honest purpose and sound judgment al
ways secure from wakened reason, we re-
pudiate the Chicago platform as un-American
and un-Demoeratjc and hoist the flag OF true
Democracy, that will never be lowered so long
there are patriotic hearts TO revere 1t and
patriotic hands to maintain 1t.
We all know that your exalted patriotism
places country before party, and that the as
saults on the constitution OF our country by
the Chicago platform will be resisted with the
same courage which you displayed on many
bloody field IN its defense.
We know that your devotion to your party
is only surpassed by your love Tor your coun-
try, and that the flag of Democracy which you
unfurl will ever be seen in the forefront of the
battle wherever its foes assail or its betrayers
soil it.
And, sir, your hands will be held up in your
noble fight for the constitution and Demoe-
racy by the soldiers who wore the gray. Their
patriotism is aroused by the blending OF the
colors, the blue and the gray meet and melt
into colors OF promise, where every tint Is an
inspiration and every hue call to duty, ana
Democracy and the country rejoice that sol
dier of the Union and a soldier OF the Confed-
eracy unite in peace to defend their common
country, its noble constitute and the great
party which has upheld both since the founda-
tion OF the Republic.
Toward the end of his speech Senator
Caffery turned around and faced General
Palmer. AS he did so the latter arose
and listened intently with hands folded
to Senator Caffery's closing words. Then
the band played ''The Star-Spangled Ban
ner."
Mr. Bynum said General Palmer needed
no introduction, and the audience yelled
itself hoaise again. General Palmer then
proceeded to read his speech. His voice
was very strong and could be heard very
plainly by the crowds in the park next
door and out on the street. Senator Pal
mer said:
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen: You give me-
official information that delegates, represent
ing the National Democracy of forty-one
States, lately assembled in convention, in the
city OF Indianapolis, honored me by desig-
mating me the National Democratic candidate
for the Presidency, and that the convention
associated with me in the formal temporary
leadership of that great historic party OF the
United States an eminent citizen OF Kentucky,
citizen distinguished In arms and as the
patriotic chief magistrate of his and my own
native commonwealth.
General Buckner and 1 were once, in
modest sense, representatives of opposing
opinions upon fundamental questions relat-
ing TO the powers of the United States and OF
the respective States under the constitution.
We met on the battlefieid-where great public
controversies that admit of no other me thod
OF solution are determined. know he did his
duty, and trust the country believes that l
did mine.
The nominations made by the National
Democratic Convention al Indianapolis prove
more conelusively than anything which has
occurred within the last thirty years that the
Am merican people are again united; that our
hopes. our rig hts, our duties are the same.
The lofty and patriotic mission of the Ma
t1onal Democracy is TO maintain peace and or
der, defend constitutional liberty regulated
by just and equal laws, and If possible avert
from the country reDudiation, bankruptcy and
National dishonor. l accept the unsought
honor and responsibility imposed upon me by
the National Democratic Convention. / ac-
cept them as proof that my Democratic fellow
citizens cOnfide in my devotion 10 Democratic
principles so clearly aud accurately defined in
the convention proceedings. 1t was known to
the delegates to the convention before this
honor was conferred upon me, and is we'll un-
derstood by the country, that my public
services commenced more than fifty years ago,
and that since that time ! have taken an
active, earnest part in the discussion and set
tlement of every public question which had at
the time sufhc1ent importance TO attract pop
ular attention.
My opinions and my public acts have been
an open book, 10 be read by my contem.
poraries. have been at all times controlled
by my own convictions OF duty, and have
now no one whom l can properly invite to
share my responsibilities Taught by Jeffer-
son, 1 opposed slavery when il existed. IH-
spired by Jackson, defended the Union of the
States 10 the extent OF my ability, and influ-
military officer was challenged as violative of
law, l voluntarily su ubmitted myself to the
jurisdiction of the civil courts.
Wnen Governor of my adopted State, while
opposed and by peaceful means successfully
resisted the interference OF the United States
by its military forces in the purely local con-
Germs OF the State, distinctly conceded the
right and asserted the duty OF that Govern
ment to enforce within the States or elsewhere
its own laws by its own agencies.
The matters to which have adverted are
but reminiscences-they relate and belong to
the past Our duties as lovers of our country
are present, and we must meet and deal with
existing conditions, and to these the late
National Democratic Convention addressed
itself. Its platform asserts truths which can
be demonstrated, and it correctly defines
Democratic principles. 1t asserts that "the
Democratic party is pledged to equal and exact
justice 10 all men of every creed and condi-
tion; to the largest freedom of the individual,
consistent with good government; TO the
preservation of the Federal Government in its
constitutional vigor, and to the support OF the
States in all their just rights; TO economy in
the public expenditures; and il is opposed to
in all class legislation 1t also
asserts that 'the declarations of the Chicago
attack individual freedom. the
right OF private contract, the independence of
the judiciary ana the authority OF the Presi-
"They advocate reckless attempt to increase
the price of silver by legisa ton, TO the dehase-
N enL OF our monetary StanQard, ana threaten
unlimited issues OF paper money by the Gov
ernment. They abandon for Republican al
lies the Democratic cause of tariff reform, to
court the favor of protectionists TO their fiscal
heresy."
II then asserts with earnestness and in
terms which will not satisfy those who assert
it, to be "the duty of a Democrat to first vote
the ticket and then read the platform" !" "that
in view OF these and other grave departures
from Democratic principles, we cannot sup
port the candidates of that convention nor be
bound by its acts"
The convention held in Indianapolis then
declares, with force and eXactness, the Demo-
cratic doctrines with respect to taxation
whether by tariff, eXcises or by direct imposi-
tion, and asserts that none of these can be
imposed except for public purposes
and not for private gain, and reafirms the
historic Democratic doctrine of tariff for
revenue only" 1t is then asserted by the con-
vention in its declaration of principles that
'the experience of mankind has shown that
by reason of their natural qualities, gold is the
money of the large affairs OF COM
merce and business, while silver is con-
adapted to minor transactions, and
the most beneficial use of both together can be
insured only by the adoption of the former as
q standard of monetary measure and the
OF silver at parity with gold by
It's limited coinage under safeguards of law.
"Thus the largest possible en- njoyment of both
metals IS gained, with value universally ac-
cepted throughout the world, which consti-
tutes the only nraptipal hin, ta1 o,,r-a,o.-