The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-09-03
GOLDENROD
DEMOCRACY

ment in our industries, and part has been
boarded for the day when 1t should bring
high premium. Our Government can get
none except by increasing the National debt
and the burden of taxation. About 500, 000,-
600 in gold is in the United States treasury to
support the parity, not alone of the $346, 000,-
600 of green backs, which was its original
Junction but the 1925. 900, 900 of silver cur
rency which has been issued since. That frail
foundation has been trembling since 1890
with the additional weight put upon it. Only
by heroic means has the Government been
able TO prop up the immense superstructure.
But even the prospect of unlimited silver coin
age under present conditions would make
that foundation disappear as If in qnek-
sand, and you and 1 and every man who has
property wages would find their value
changed from gold to a silver measure.
This will be the certain result of imposing
such an additional burden upon the Govern.
ment, but when with that in view we consider
the disposition of foreign Governments to
strengthen their gold reserves and the sus-
pension of free silver coinage in India, which
has heretofore been the worlds sink for all its
surplus silver, but it is so no longer, the con-
clusion is inevitable that we would be reduced
to Silver basis and to a very cheap silver
basis at that.
One Characteristic of political remedies ad-
anu recommended DIV Quack Do
litical doctors is that they are alleged to cure
all diseases. To every man in distress in any
part of the country the decentralization of sill
yer is pointed out as the cause of his misery
and the reconciliation OF silver as his remedy
BY reason of perfectly simple causes the
prices of wheat and corn and other agri-
cultural products have declined, but this de-
cline is attributed by these political quacks to
the characterization of silver, and the farmer
o1or,r ,,,sfI
to make both ends meet, is told that by re-
monetizlng silver wheat will go 10 a dollar a
bushel and other farm products will rise pro-
portionately.
II this were true, rising prices would affect
the commodities which a farmer buys, the
interest he pays on his debts, the freight rates
which determine the cost of getting his pro-
ducts to market, and he would be relatively
no better off than before. To expect the
farmer to accept SO great delusion is to pre-
sumo upon his intelligence. Ask the farmers
of my State why they are giving up the pro-
duction of wheat and corn. and they will tell
you 1t is because OF the depreciation of silver
They will point to these great Western prairies
and tell you they cannot compete with these
in the growth of the staple cereals And they
have taken to raising other crops which are
more profitable and less competitive. The
same tendency Is the case throughout the
nSA1CultuId1 MOIlh. NOt Ouly nave thousands
Of acres of Western lands in America been
thrown open to cultivation within recent
years, but in Russia, India and the Argentine
Republics, railroads and enterprises have
brought large additions of acreage under Gull
tivation and poured millions of additional
bushels upon the markets of the world.
The same cheapening IN the cost of boots
and shoes, of hats and coats and other cloth
ing which has followed excessive production
In bo ma n foof of
manifest in the excessive production of agri-
cultural products. 1t is the old familiar law
of supply and demand. In my State of New
York hay is selling at $15 per ton; last year il
was $40. Do our silver friends attribute that
to the decentralization OF silver? They ought
to if they wish TO be consistent Silver dollars
in the pockets of the roine-owners are of no
benefit TO the Western farmer. What they
want is prosperous conditions which will put
which when they are taken out will buy just as
much gold dollars.
Against such threatened calamities we have
met as Democrats, as patriots TO protest Our
purpose is too serious to permit differences on
minor matters or personal jealousies to divide
our councils or weaken our influence.
We have come here as Democrats 10 exert
such influences as we may have among Demo
Gratis for the good of our country and the pres
periods OF usefulness. Renouncing as un-Dem-
oeratic the work of the party organization at
Chicago let us be true to every Democratic in
stinct at indianapolis. Let no man say that in
this convention any false note of Democracy
was sounded. We stand for all that should in
spire good citizenship. for honest money, en-
forcement of law and order. respect for author
ity, the preservation of the National credit,
the just payment of debts, the dignity and
welfare of labor, the prosperity and fair name
of America. United in such a cause we can go
forward with the American flag as our banner
and the words "National Democrats" inscribed
on its folds. We know no sectional issue or in
terest. We stand behind the broad shield OF
patriotism, and in that sign we shall conquer
The speech was very warmly received.
The States were then called for the selec-
ton of members of the various committees
and at 2:10 P. NJ. the convention took a