Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1896-06-19

I
shall be the standard money of thi,
land'
do not intend to debate this question
but am speaking now in explanation OF
my conduct when shall declare public
ly, as I shall when the platform is
adopted. that can take no further part
in this convention and can no longer act
with the Republican party.
Mr. Chairman. shall break from the
party Of my youth and the party of my
choice, and the party of my service, and
the party that has given me honors as
few men have been given honors, feel
ing as though I were going to my grave,
as though I were burying my best
friends, and nothing but supreme con
viction of the danger OF the mainten
anoe of the gold standard could induce
me to make such sacrifice: but a con-
viction is upon me that it is a duty not
to my people alone, not to the people of
Colorado alone, but duty owe to you
and the whole world as well, that i'm
pels me to this step.
~ came to this convention little fear
ing this would be the result OF your
deliberations, and that should have to
go away having performed what is to
me one of the most disagreeable actions
of my whole life. And I repeat,
would despise myself believing as do
in the supreme importance of this ques-
ton, if | failed to make any sacrifice
this cause demands, if | failed because
of fear of taunts that will surely come
to me, when | shall have done my duty
as my judgment tells me to do it. am
going to fight for this principle, but
can no longer fight for it in the republi
can ranks with hopes of success. had
hoped the party which had done so
much for the human race and for whose
future so much was hoped, would come
to the right view upon this question,
and still have a lingering hope that
some day this party will reach a condi-
ton when it shall not take its declara-
ton from Wall street or Lombard street,
but from the honest sentiment of the
great heart of the American people.
When that is done the republican party
will abandon the platform that is now
about to be adopted. declaring for the
gold standard
81 beg the pardon Of this committee
for having spoken so long. l did not
intend to detain you except with sim
pie statement of my earnest belief in
he paramount importance of the prin
;iples for which I have contended so
ong in public and private life. It is my
earnest belief that no question IS of so
vital importance to the people of the
United States or deserving of more
careful thought and careful attention
han the financial question which is now
PRESSED for our solution"
Lodge spoke briefly in way personel |
o Teller. He spoke of the esteem in
which the Colorado senator was held,
md the respect felt for him, but said
Notwithstanding this feeling, it as inn
possible to follow his idea of financial
,olicy. To do so would be ruinous to
he great commercial interests of the
ountry That the Colorado senator was
.onest in his convictions, no man could
oubt, but that he was right did not fol-
~. He regretted they had come to
he parting of the ways, but the parting
vas not the seeking ofthe gold standard
zen. and if it could not be prevented
would have to be endured.
Senator Cannon, Utah, said there was
o use in the republican party making
n effort in his state this year under the
of single gold-staneard plat
1rm. He was severe in his charges
gainst the money power and its domi-
ance over this convention. He de-
,ribed the depressed condition of the
1untry, especially his state, and gave
office that he and others would stand ,
' Teller, who truly represented them.
Cannon's speech was pronounced most t
IMPRESSIVE and affecting. He pictured q
lie hope raised in the breasts of the t
ssple of Utah and of the inter noun
in west by the promises of the repub- I
can party, told how the state had been {
from the democratic ranks r
Id an overwhelming majority over a
,me, and all for what' Merely to have c
I the promises made in behalf of the d
publicans ruthlessly trodden in the a
ire and ignored at the time of their t