Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-25
THE STATE PLATFORM.

On the morning of the meeting OF the
state democratic convention an editorial
appeared in the State Herald from the
pen of the editor-ir-chlef, in which atten-
ton was called to the necessity of saying
and doing nothing that would endanger
the harmony of the party. This warning
was uttered in view of the fact that Cap
tain Johnston had many warm support
ers who aided him without reference to
the currency question, and in view of the
very apparent fact that the adherents of
Mr.. Clarke must assist the friends of
Captain Johnston in saving the state
from the common enemy. The article to
which we refer has been misapprehend-
ed. In some quarters it was looked upon
as a suggestion for a straddle on the
money question. Anyone reading it care
fully must see that it cannot bear any
such construction. I said:
"The State Herald suggests that we
can escape both Scylla and Charybdis
by adopting a simple resolution that we
favor both gold and silver as standard
money, and intend to keep all kinds OF
money upon parity. That is what both
wings of the party favor. TO go into de-
tails and to draw lines of demareation as
to the mode and manner of keeping the
several kinds of money at par is to drive
a wedge into our ranks which may lead
to defeat and disaster to every material
interest of the state
The convention did precisely what the
State Herald suggested. Without any
argument or whereases. it simply said:
81. The free and unlimited coinage of
silver and gold at 16 to ! as the standard
money of the country, without any dis
elimination against either metal, and
without the consent of foreign nations
as the United States coined silver and
gold before the republican party obtained
control of the government and changed
the coinage laws of the country for the
benefit of a class and to the injury of
great mass of the people"
This is plain and direct declaration
of what the State Herald suggested-a
declaration for gold and silver as equal
standard money. 1t avoided just exactly
what we wished to be avoided-the ques-
tlon of modes and Kinds Of currency leg
islation. The resolution as adopted by
the convention can be Endorsed by all
democrats except those who hold that
under no condition or circumstances sill
Yer at 16 to can be kept on par with
gold. Those who view silver coinage as
an mpossibilty, except at the cost of
silver basis, are the latest converts of
Mr.. Carlisle, and constitute but small
portion of the democracy. That other
great body of the democracy whose sup
port can be given to our ticket upon this
platform, Notwithstanding their peculiar
views against silver, are men like Gov
ernor Oates, who said in his speech in
congress in 1893:
Hence / assert that 1t is not only prac-
ticable for the congress of the United
ht tal
maintaining both gold and silver, practi-
cally Of equal value, as the money OF our
constitution, but 1t is the duty of patriot
ism and devotion to our country to exert
all reasona BILE efforts to that consumma-
ton"
The convention very wisely left the
money question with this plain declara-
ton. 1t was unnecessary to say any
thing more. To have said less would
have smacked Of cowardce and left I'M
fulfilled the loud voice of the people in
their nomination of Captain Johnston.
The convention also declared:
49, The unconstitutional penalty of 10
per centum on each issue of state bank
notes by any state or natlonai pahh ought
to be repealed.
This declaration is very timely, In view
of the fact that four years ago our ma
liar declaration, and neither congress
since that day has carried out the pledge,
nor has the democratic president ever
suggested that The pledge should be full
filled.
The convention further declared that
we favor state government just to all,
but under control of the white men of
Alabama; that the faith and credit OF
the state must be preserved; that our
public schools must be fostered to the
ability of the people; that we must have
fair elections and good primary election
laws. The resolutions Endorsed the state
administra ton Of Governor Oates and
the administration of President CleVe-
land generally, except as to his financial
policy.
The platform could not have been bet
ter. and the State Herald cordially in
dorses it,