Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-10-08

sschesoh oAes oi'ccShs
The State campaign of the Sound
Money Democrats Of Delaware was in
augurated most auspiciously by the
massmeeting at the auditorium, Thurs
day night. Despite the efforts OF bitter
partisans to keep Democrats away, the
gathering was large in numbers and
representative in its personnel. 1t was
an assemblage of the best thought and
sentiment of the Democratic party of
Delaware, and convincing demonstra-
tion Of the spirit and purpose of the
Sound Money Democrats in this State.
Senator Gray's speech,a verbatim re-
port of which is printed elsewhere in
to-day's paper, was eminently worthy
OF the occasion. The cause OF honest
money was never better presented. We
commend his address TO the careful
consideration Of the voters of Della
ware.
No doubt many OF those who were
present at Thursday nights meeting
will take issue with Senator Gray in
his announced intention to support the
regular Democratic nominee for Con.
gress, in connection with the Palmer
and Buckner electors. With due con-
sideration for the principle involved, it
il hard to recognize the consistency OF
supporting, upon the same ticket. the
national representatives OF the cause of
sound money, and nominee for Con-
gress who, although nominated upon a
platform which declares specifically
in favor of the existing monetary
standard and against the free coinage
of silver at any ratio, persists in going
upon the rostrum and preaching the
doctrine of free silver coinage with all
his power.
Aside from this, tho speech OF Sena-
tor Gray was all that could be desired.
1t was mastery effort, and presented
the cause Of sound money in the most
convincing manner. 1t was a speech
that all citizens, regardless of their
political predictions, may read with
profit and instruction.
In the course of an editorial allusion
to Senator Gray's speech, that ster-
ling advocate of the cause of honest
money, the Baltimore Sun, says:
The speech OF Senator Gray of Della.
ware, demonstrates convincingly the
weakness and the danger of the free
coinage proposition. Mr.. Bryan has
declared that the financial issue is the
question Of paramount importance in
this campaign, and Senator Gray, there
fore, makes it the principal topic of
his address. His dissection of free
coinage is keen and searching, and no
candid man who is honestly looking
for light upon this vital issue will
deny, after reading the speech, that
Senator Gray is justified as Democrat
and patriotic statesman in condemning
the Chicago platform. Mr.. Gray points
out that this is not question of bolt.
ing, but OF principle, and he also adds
that while acquiescence in the will OF
the majority is usually sound rropos
ition, the majority cannot control the
convictions of the voter In his
opinion the financial issue rises fai
above mere party considerations and
expediency, while it can be easily
proved that the Democracy Of the Chi
cego platform is not the Democrat,
of Jefferson, jackson, Tilden, Marc,
and Cleveland. Mr., Gray discussel
free coinage not only with grea
thoroughness, but he states his argu
ment5 SO clearly and simply that they
can be readily understood by thu
average reader. The Senator's higf
character and his commanding position
among the opponents OF true DemocI ac,
will add weight to speech which i
one of the most effective discussion
of the issues involved in the presen
campaign.
Another cold fact that turns up t
disconcert and confound the advocate
of FREQ silver coinage is thus illustrate
in the current weekly letter of Ham
bleton & Co., of Baltimore:
Why, what is this Cotton up $40 ne
bale and wheat up Ii cents per hushel
and silver down from 80 to 65 cents a
ounce. Well! Well! Well! Wonder
never will cease. just as wo are tryin
10 persuade ourselves that the declin
in silver has been solely responsible fo
the fall in products, up 90 product
and down goes silver, and we have [
begin all over again to work out tn
problem. Those wicked bankers an
business men have been telling us a
along that the decline in silver ha
nothing to do with the decline i
products But, then Mr.. Bryan say
bankers know nothing about finance
and business men are ignorant of com
mercial matters, that the conmo
people are the only ones who know
all, and are capable of understandin
bimetallism, the appreciation of colo