The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1896-08-01
naiority Rule.

Thomas J. McDermott, Chairman OF the
Democratic state central committee, mas
been carrying on some vigorous cofIe-
spondence with bolting members OF the
party. The following letter is a sample OF
the ammunition he is firing into their
camp:
ST. Paul, Mimi, July "a, 1s96.--Williaan
H. Hamlin, Postmaster, Pine Island,
Mimi: Dear Sir--Rep1Ying to your lette,
Of the 23d inst. I first wish to say that the
only way to maintain party organization
and party discipline is to allow the major
ity OF that party to govern and the minor
ity, whatever their ideas may be, should
acnuiesce to the decison Of the majority.
Now, there is certainly no question but
what the national convention was con-
trolled by the majority, nor is there any
question but that the convention was
fairly called, due notice given to all Dem
ocrats throughout the country to appear
and participate in the primaries and select
delegates from the town meetings to the
national convention. In view of this fact
it seems to me to be the veriest nonsense
for any one claiming to be Democrat to
fail to give his support to the regular
nominees. --....-.
There is only one question paramount In
this campaign, and that is the question to
finance. Regarding that, I wisl, to say
a few words in answer to the statement
in your letter where you say: when the
ture from Democratic principles and prece-
dents.' Now, infer that this refers to
their attitude upon the money question,
because you further say: Tn view Of
existing conditions, this country is not
ready to enter upon the experiment OF
free coinage Of silver"
To see whether this is departure from
Democratic principles it is necessary to
refers to the official action Of the Demo
cratic party I'm years gone by. | main
tain that it is not a departure In, any
sense but it is simply going forward
upon the same plan and precisely in the
same direction that Democrats have
pledged themselves to go both by their
platforms and votes in congress, in years
past The Forty-fourth congress was the
first having Democratic majority in the
house after the demonetization OF silver.
One hundred and ten Democrats Of that
body voted for the free and unlimited
coinage Of silver, and sixteen voted
against it, Again in the Same house
when the matter was brought up, 123 DEM
ocrats voed for and passed the free COIN
age bill and only seventeen Democrats
voted against 1t.
In the following congress-the Forty
ffth-in the house, ninety-seven Demo-
Gratis voted for free coinage and only ten
voted no; and, later, when the same bill
was vetoed by a Republican president, lis
Democrats voted and passed it. over his
ttlO, anu tWcIllvSlWV dSdllSI IL. 1"CAly0
five Democrats voted for free silver and
line against it in the senate the same ses-
sion In the Forty-sixth congress 100
Democrats, including our present secre-
tary of the treasury, who was then MEM
ber Of congress. voted for free silver, and
nine against it. In the Forty-ninth con-
gress ninety-six Democrats voted for and
seventy against it. In the Fjfty-first con-
gress 101 Democrats in the house voted for
free silver and twelve against 1t. In the
senate in 1891, twenty-four Democrats vot-
ed for free coinage and one against It, In
the Fifty-second congress, twenty Demo-
Gratis voted for and nine against free sill
yer in the senate, and in the house the
same session 118 Democrats voted yes to
sixty-four no on the same question.
So you will see, by reference to the
actual facts. that the Democrats have time
ard time again favored the present plat
form of the Democratic party. And be-
sides what have the gold standard people
to offer to better the condition of the
ordinary everyday people? They do not
pretend to say. there will be and change
for the benefit OF the people. yet not
peace, in the most resourceful and bounti-
full country on the face Of the globe, peo-
pie are reduced to almost a state OF starva-
ton, and we are obliged to call upon a.
London Jew to stand by and sustain the
credit Of the United States. 4
Is this not a hnmiliating position for
the American people. especially Demo-
Gratis? It matters not to the great mass
Of people, whether a few persons in the
pay Of those interested III maintaining
this condition calling themselves leaders,
and few other honest but misguided
people. differ from them. I sincerely be-
lieye.. that the wave Of reform rs coming,
and that no power on earth can prevent
Mr. Bryan election. and am looking
forward with pleasure to the ma gniflcsnt
majority that I feel certain he will Re-;
ceive9 III Minnesota. Yours truly. l sas
T1dOMAs As3s ] :. M'DERMC1,.;l5sas III
Chairman Democratic state Central E1a pllls