Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-07-16
The GREAT CONVENTION At GEl.AG.
THE NOMINEES ARE
VIM. j. Bryan,
OF NEBRASKA, AND
Arthur Sewall,
OF MAINE.

The convention of the National
Democracy at Chicago last week was
one of the most remarkable in the |
history of the party; and no con-
vention of the party, since 1860, |
has been held to the deliberations
and declarations of which the peo-
pie of the whole country looked
with deeper interest. The men who
regarded the single gold standard as
q national curse, resting like an in
cubus upon the great mass of the
people, and who looked to the resto-
ration of the double standard, the
free and unlimited coinage of both
metals into uoney of ultimate re-
demption and full legal tender, as the
only hope of the toiling millions of
this great country, were there with
an overwhelming majority, with a
we'll defined policy, with a distinct
purpose and firm resolve, which no
threat or persuasion could shake, to
put the Democratic party on record
With clear, distinct and unequivocal
declaration against gold as the sole
standard of value and in favor of
the complete restoration Of the BIZ
metallic standard. And they did it,
and did it, too, with such clear-cut,
distinct, plain, positive, unequivocal
and unmistakable declarations that
he who runs may read and easily
understand. The platform, which
we will publish in full next week,
declares, with no uncertain sound,
for the free and unlimited coinage of
both gold and silver at the existing
legal ratio of 16 to /, without wait
ing to consult the wish or obtain the
consent of any other nation, or peo-
pie on earth. 1t is second declara-
ton Of independence, in which the
ability of this great country to man.
age its own affairs and to establish
and maintain its own financial prin-
ciples and policies is boldly and dis
tinctly proclaimed.
1t was emphatically peoples con-
vention, governed throughout by
plain and positive instructions, in
which the delegates were told what
the people wanted and what they,
the delegates, must do when assem-
bled together in convention at Chi
cago. From these instructions there
was no variation or shadow of turn
ing. Through these delegates the
Democratic masses have spoken, say
ing clearly what they mean, and
meaning exactly what they have said.
Though the convention was made
up largely of new men, fresh from
the people, still there were many
mon there of national regulations
and large experience in public affairs
from all the States of the West and
South-United States Senators, Con-
gressmen, Governors, &c.
When the convention was duly or
ganized 1t appeared that the silver
men lacked but a few of having a
two-thirds majority. There were
contesting delegations from Ne
braska and Michigan. In the former
case the committee had but little
trouble in deciding the contest in ia.
vor Of the silver delegation, and the
convention quickly ratified this ac-
ton Of the committee. This seated
Mr.. Bryan as delegate. There was,
however, a stubborn and determined
fight over the Michigan case. The
committee reported in favor Of seat
ing four Of the district silver dele
gates, which gave the silver men
majority of the delegation, and, I'M
der the unit rule, which the gold
men of Michigan had adopted, the
silver men voted the State for silver
in the convention on all questions Of
difference between the two factions.
When these contests had been settled
the silver men had the two-thirds
majority desired, and thus there was
no need to abrogate the old two
thirds rule.
When the platform, agreed upon
by a majority of the committee on
resolutions, was reported to the con-