Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-10-23

peace. l am simply 10 you, my IflendS,
plain David Crockett Richardson. OF the
common people" Laughter and APP
plause)
A CONFIRMED DEMOCRAT.
The speaker then referred TO his change
Of views upon the currency ques-
ton, saying that some OF his newspaper
friends had chosen to refer TO him as n
convert TO the silver cause. He explained
the meaning Of the word converted -
which, he said, in n religious sense.
meant that a man had been changed
from one in the service of the devil 20
one In the service of the Lord. He added
that he had never been in the service Of
the political devil-the Republican party;
but had rather been confirmed" He
stood before that audience as one con-
irmed in those principles which had been
proclaimed throughout the length and
breadth OF this great land by william
Jennings Bryan. Applause)
Mr. Richardson paid high tribute TO
the Democratic nominee, and then took
up the platform expounded at Chicago
last August. He said that the first
charge made in that platform was in that
clause which declared against Federal
interference and government by injunc-
ton, and expressed his hearty endorse
ment Of this part of the platform.
The next count in the Indictment
continued Mr.. Richardson, was the one
which condemned Cleveland for Issuing
bonds 81 do not know that the language
of the platform is exactly to that effect
but If the President was condemned, and
he did issue The bonds, then
say that he was entitled TO and de-
served the severest condemnation that
could be heaped upon him by an Ameri-
can people" Great applause) Mr.
Richardson went into a brief history Of
the bond issues OF this nation, and then
paid his attention TO Boilers. who, he
said, were headed by the late Democratic
Governor of the State OF Virginia.
Oaughter) He read TO the audi
ence certain extracts from Governor
O'Ferral's financial letter which was
published in the Richmond Times some
weeks ago. and recited the caption, when
began; THE Virginia State Fair" Mr.
Richardson said he did not know but
that some one might have supposed that
the farmers were not much interested in
anything but agricultural matters, and
that to head the letter in that way might
cause them to read it.
THE COUNTRYS ONLY HOPE.
The speaker next took up the currency
question, but said he had gone 10 the
polls at the last Democratic primary ana
voted for gold delegates 10 be sent 10
Staunton. The Staunton convention sent
a silver delegation TO Chicago, and the
silver Democrats had the Chicago con-
Vention by a two-thirds vote. The silver
Democrats adopted their platform, and
that became his platform; they noml-
mated their candidate. one of the noblest
sons America ever produced, and William
j. Bryan became his candidate. Mr.
Richardson discussed the early history OF
the money of the country, spoke OF the
contraction of the currency. and asserted
that he believed the only salvation OF the
American people was In the free and UNI
limited coinage Of silver at the ratio OF 1G
TO i. Great applause) Silver and gold
were ordained the current money OF this
country by our fathers. and. the speaker
continued the whole history of the world
showed this TO have been the case
throughout all time. 'lf this was good
for our forefathers, can 1t not restore
prosperity 10 us pow?' he asked. cit has
remained for the monopolists and capt.
talists of this time to say TO us that we
must have only gold money. Silver, at
the proposed ratio, is the only thing on
earth which can bring happiness and
bugs say you mustn't say such things as
that; you are arraying the masses against
the classes l say that this Is not true.
They have been arraying the classes
against the masses. and it is time for the
masses TO arise and fight Great ap-
plause) ] have the utmost contempt for
man who would pile up his money in
government bonds and railroad bonds,
and lives half of his time in Europe ana
the other half at some fashionable resort
In America, but doesn't pay a cent OF
taxes: for a man who would sell his own
daughter, bone of his bone and flesh OF
his flesh, for an empty title" lCheers.)
DOWN ON THE TRUSTS.
The speaker made a vigorous onslaught
upon the corporations and trusts of the
country He said he saw In paper yes
terday afternoon a statement milde by
recently distinguished so-called politician.
known as Mark Hanna, In which he said
that there should not be any coercion by
any of the corporations "Oh no. there
isn't going to be any coercion" comment
ed Uncle Davy, "but they have very
nice way OF getting the employees TO
vote for William Mckinley or have them
discharged The Chesapeake and Ohio
railway was spoken OF In connection with
this matter OF coercion. and Mr.. Richard
son said that while, of course, that COM