The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-19
The BOlting Republicans
Issue an Address.
Teller and His Friends Tell
Their Woes to the People.
And Incidentally They Propose TO
Make Him Our President.


decioed to send the following address to
the people of the country:
The Address OF the SlIverites.
To the people OF the United States
the common citizenship of this republic,
we address this commun ication to the
people and the forthcoming convention
OF the United States. In doing so we
claim no authority or right other than
which belongs to every man to express
personal constitution; but we respectfully
solicit .he cooperation OF all who believe
that the time has come for a return to
the simpler and more direct method Of
naming men for national service than
has as obtained in recent years. Political
party organization, Is necessary because
without, the individual voter Is dumb;
but the party Is only the means, not the
end; II Is the voice and not the sense.
AS the world advances in this wonderful
epoch of intellectual development and
physical improvement there is a constant
requirement for better things. The indi-
vidual feels that requirement and heeds
1t, or he fails in life's endeavor. Parties
must also obey the same law. IT follows.
therefore, that the moment party shall
choose 10 stand still or retrogress, II is no
longer efficient TO achieve the end to
which the people are necessarily destin-
ed. There Is no sanctitv in mere party
names and the mark OF decay is set on
Individual strength in nation when
the absolute rule OF political Organization
coerces man from the truth for the sake
OF expediency and establishes iDsincere
submission to partizan rule for the sake
of power.
Recognizing tho value and splendid
achievements OF the political PARTIES in
this country, as elsewhere, we are yet
constrained to believe that for more han
20 years no one OF them has been entirely
sufficient for the needs of the people.
The great trend to better things, rest
ing in the hearts and purpose of all men,
has been stayed during the last part OF
this generation by the failure OF parties
To express in their achievements the
highest hope and aspiration of the mass
OF the people VINO constitute the parties
And there has been growing in this
country--swelling with each recurrence
of national election---a great mass of in
dependent thinkers and voters, which,
failing WITHIN itself TO control, has
gravated between the two great parties.
Since 1872 excepting possibly the cleo
tion OF 1870. the pendulum has swung
from side TO size with each four years.
In 1872, the Republican party elected the
President; in 1875, the Democracy claimed
the election; in 1850. the Republican
elected; in 1896 (until within few
weeks), 1t has been conceded that the
Repu blicans elect. What has been the
cause of this mighty oscillation of
mass which this year has probably oh
taineo controlling proportions; every
man can answer To himself. II hs has
been an observer. II he has had inter
ests that were affected, IL he has felt
hope TO see greater justice done and has
seen the hope blasted. II he knows that
the general disaffection has arisen from
the fact that the party promises made
then were made 10 people by
party performance, nc knows
that so soon as tho election was over and
successful candidates Installed they be-
came the servitors of the party and the
advocates OF narrow and non-progressive
policy within which alone there seems
to be an assurance OF selfish safety and
partizan approval. During all this period
we have lacked great constructive ed-
ministration. No new social truth has
been put forward in an effective way.
While In all the departments OF physical
life, there have been developments and
achievements of ease and comfort TO the
favored of mankind, in the still greater
and more important domain OF social re-
form, we have stood still or retrog gressed.
1t is not that the people have not felt the
STRINGS of determination, that this in
action has endured; but because OF the
rule OF party which has largely controlled
men iu.and out of Office. 1t has become
source of reproach to any man that he
should dare to renounce allegiance to or
genizatIon. Men hsye been expected to
submit their views to tbs dictstion OF
conventions, although 1t is common
knowledge that conventions have been
swnyed to the views and declarations,
not the most approved by the mass OF the
people, nor progressive for their welfare.
We do not arrogRte to ourselves one
toto mn nj ipfaIIiOanca ri fnt IA or
courage than Is possessed by any of our
fellow citizens. But we feel that the
time has come for the performance o. u
duty TO this country; for our part,
though we shall stand alone..~e will
make an endeavor IN the direction of that
duty. Parties may outlive their useful
mesa; tie truth Eever becomes obsolete.
Every generation of freemeu has the
right TO affirm the truths OF past knowl-
edge and present requirements and IL the
enforcement OF these truths shall make
necessary departure from organization,
the people have this right ana will exor-
else 1t until old parties shall return to
the truth or new parties shall tie created
TO effect it into Law.
III the voices which have sounded to us
from every State in this Union are an
indication OF the real feeling, this year
Is the appointed time for the people to
assert themselves, through such mediums
os may give best proimsc OF the achieve
ments OF justice. But. whether we are
mistaken or not, concerning the general
sentiment in the United States, We have
not mistaken our own duty IN withdraw
ing from the Republican convention feel
ing IL is better TO lie in right and with
the minority In apparent defeat, than to
be wrong with the majority in apparent
triumph.
We hold that in the great work o' social
evolution in this country, monetary re-
form stands as the trst requisite. No
policy, however promising Of good re-
cults, cen take its place. Continuation
during the next tour years upon tho pres
ent financial system will bring down
upon the American people that cloud of
impending disaster, 10 avert which
should he the first thOugbt OF the states
men and the last prayer OF patriots Our
very institutions arc at stake Today,
With the rspdity increasing which is
daily swelling demands, q basis OF our
money 10 relatively contracting; and the
people are passing into servitude all the