The San Francisco call., 1896-08-13

metalIism? If the double standard will bring
benefits to our people who VIII deny them the
right TO enjoy those benefits? If our oppo-
nents would admit the right, the ability and
the duty of our people TO act for themselves on
all public questions without the assistance and
regardless OF the wishes of other nations ana
then propose the remedial legislation which
they consider sufficient we could meet them
in the field of honorable debate, but when they
assert that this nation is helpless TO protecs
the rights of its own citizens we challenge
them to submit the issue TO people whose
patriotism has never been appealed to in vain
We shall not offend other nations when we
declare the right of the American people TO
govern themselves and without let or MN
drance from without decide upon every ques-
ton presented for their eonsid Grafton.
In taking this position we simply MAINTAIN
the dignity of 10000, 900 citizens who are sec
ond TO none in their capacity for self-govern-
ment. The gold standard has compelled tne
American people to pay any ever-increaslng
tribute 10 the creditor nations of the world
tribute which no one dares to defend as,
sert that National honor requires the United
states TO secure justice for all its citizens, as
well as to do justice to all its creditors For
people like ours, blessed with natural resources
OF SURPRISING richness, to proclaim themselves
lmpotent TO frame a financial system suited TO
their needs is humiliatng beyond the power
of language to describe.
We cannot enforce respect ror our foreign
policy so long as we confess ourselves unable
to frame our financial policy. Honest differ
ences OF opinion have always existed, and will
ever exist as to the legislation best calculated
to promote the public veal; but when 1t is
seriously asserted that this Nation must bow
to the dictation of other nations and accept
the policies which they insist upon the right
of self-government is assailed. and until that
question is settled all other questions are in
significant
Citizens of New York, have travelled from
the center of the continent to the seaboard
that 1 might, in the very beginning OF the
campaign, bring you greeting from the people
of the West and South and assure you that
their intention is not to destroy but to
build up.
They invite you to accept the principles of a
living faith rather than listen to those who
preach the gospel to despair, and advise en-
durance on the ills you have. The advocates
of free coinage believe that, in striving to
secure the immediate restoration of bimetai-
ism, they are laboriug in your behalf as well as
in their own. A few OF your people may
permanent welfare OF New York rests
upon the producers of wealth. This great
city is built upon the commerce OF the
Nation and must suffer if that commerce
is impaired. You cannot sell unless the peo-
pie have money with which to buy. and they
cannot obtain the money with which to buy
unless they are BILE to sell their products at
remunerative prices. Production OF wealth
goes before the exchange of wealth; those who
create must secure proht before they nave
anything to share with others,
You cannot afford TO join the money
changers in supporting q financial policy
which, by destroying the purchasing power OF
products OF toll, must in the end discourage
the creation OF wealth. l ask; expect your
cooperation.
It is true that a few of your fnaneiers would
fashion a new figure-a figure representing G
Columbia, her hands bound fast with fetters
of gold and her face turned toward the east
appealing for assistance TO those who live be-
yond the sea-but this figure can never ex-
press your idea of this Nation. You will
rather turn for inspiration to the heroic
statue which guards the entrance to your city
"a statue as patriotic in conception as II Is
colossal in proportion.
1t was the gracious gift of a sister republic
and stands upon pedestal which was built by
Fnlightening the Worlds emblematic of the
mission of our nation amo the nations OF
the earth. With Government which derives
its powers from the consent OF the governed,
secures to all the people freedom of con-
science, freedom of thought ard freedom of
speech, guarantees squal rights to all and
promises special privileges to none, the United
States should be example in all that is good
and the leading spirit in every movement
which has for its object the uplifting OF the
human race.
When Mr. Bryan concluded, after speak
ing an hour and forty minutes, there was
another demonstration, but it was brief.
The far galleries had perceptibly dwindled
and the crowd had shouted itself into the
same condition of voice that Mr. Bryan
was. Governor Stone, at the conclusion
of the cheering, turned 10 Arthur SeWall,
the Vice Presidential candidate, and in a
few words formally notified him of his
nomination.
Governor Stones remarks were not
audible even TO those who sat near the
platform. The audience had become rest
less and were in great disorder. 1t was
evident that the people had sat out the
great speech of Mr.. Bryan, and were
anxious to get out in the fresh air. The
chairman raped many times for order,
bit could not quiet the assem- blage. Mr..
Sewall was obliged to begin his speech
amid noise that made it difficult for him
to be heard ten feet away. The speaker
was compelled to stop several times while
the chairman urged the audience that or
der be restored. People were now moving
out IN great numbers, and the noise in the
hall drowned his voice. Mr.. Sewall said
in part:
The Democracy of the country realizes that
all the great principles of our party as
potent and essential to the we'll being of the
country to-day as they have always BEEN and
as they always will be, but the overshadoWing g
issue before the country now, made dominant
by the distressed condition prevailing through
out our land, is the demand for reform in our
existing monetary system
Our party, and we believe a great majority
OF the American people, is convinced that the
legislation OF 1878, demonetizing silver, was q
wrong inflicted upon the country which
should and must be righted. We believe that
the single gold standard has so narrowed the
base OF our monetary structure that it is un-
stable and unsafe and so dwarfed it in its de-
velopment and in its power to furnish the
necessary financial blood TO the Nation that
commercial and industrial paralysis has fol-
lowed.
We believe that we need and must have the
broad and expanding foundation of both gold
and silver to support monetary system
strong and stable, capable of meeting the de-
mands of q growing country and indus
trious, energetic and enterprising people; q
system that will not be weakened and panic
stricken by every foreign draft upon us;
system that will maintain parity of Just
values and the Nations money and protect us
from the frequent fluctuations OF the day, so
disastrous to every business and industry of
the land.
We demand the free coinage of silver, the
opening of our mints TO both money metals
without discrimination, the return to the
money OF our fathers (the money of the con-
stitution)-gold and silver. We believe this is
the remedy and the only remedy for the evil
from which are now suffering-the evil that
is now so fast devas tating ana impoverishing
our land and people, bringing poverty to our
homes ana bankruptcy TO our business which
If allowed to continue Will grow until our
very institutions are threatened.
The demonetZation of silver mas thrown the
whole primary money function on gold, ap-
preciating its value and purchasing power
Restore the money function to silver and
silver will appreciate and its purchasing
power increase. Take from gold its monopoIy
It's value will be reduced and in due COURSE
the parity OF the two metals will again obtain