The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-09-14

erly invite to share my responsibilities
Taught by Jefferson. i opposed slavery
when 1t existed. Inspired by Jackson, l
feIended de the union union of the states to the ex- M
example, when my conduct as mill
tary officer was challenged as vlolative of
law, voluntarily submitted myself to the
jurisdiction OF the civil courts.
when governor of my adopted state
while opposed and by peaceful means
successfully rested the interference OF
the United States by its military forces in
the purely local concerns of the state,
distinctly conceded the right and assert
ed the duty of that government to en-
force within the states or elsewhere its
own laws by It's own agencies.
THE matters to which | have advorted
are but "reminiscences they relate and be-
long to the past our duties as lovers of
our country are present, and we must meet
and deal with existing conditions, and to
these the late national Democratic con-
vention addressed itself. Its platform as
serts truths which can be demonstrated:
and 1t correctly defines Democratic prin-
ciple.
THE SILVER ISSUE.
THE convention which assembled in
Chicago in July of the present year in de-
manding the unlimited coinage OF silver
dollars on the ratio of il2is grains of stand
ard silver to 25.S grains OF standard gold,
with full legal tender quality for all debts
and dues, public and private, offer to the
country scheme from which every voter
country ar himself his reason. or even his
imagination, can suggest. The advocates
OF the unlimited coinage of full legal ten
der silver DO not aSree as 70 what viii he
the consequences of the adoption by the
United States of their favorite measure.
The more Intelligent know that 1t IS i'm
possible by law to give to silver bullion or
silver coin local value in the United
States; and therefore. Mr.. Bryan. who
must be regarded as the official interpre-
ter of the free silver dogma, asserts his
belief that the unlimited coinage of legal
tender silver by the United States alone
would increase the value of silver bullion,
which is today IL cents per ounce, to Sl.29,
ana he asserts his belief that under uniim-
tied coinage the silver dollar containing
ll2l. grains of standard silver coined Of
equal acceptab!lty and value with the
dollar containing 25.S grains of standard
gold in all the markets of the world
at is something that this opinion has
10 support i'll the experience Of mankind.
It is enough for present purposes 10 say
1t has no foundation other than the con-
iidcnt assertions of those who share in
that belief. no party in the country ever
undertook so much as DO the advocates
of the unlimited coinage Of silver. They
not only undertake to maintain CONNER
cal parity in value of about i3i5O2,nl Sil-
Yer dollars already coined by the United
States under the authority Of the acts of
the 18th of February. 1873 and of july II.
1890 and of all the silver dollars that here
after may be coined, but they assume the
ldSk OF advancing llt NlINc OF IIt SllNGt
coinage of all the nations of the world to
an equal acceptabiity and value with coins
of gold. If the expectations of such of
the advocates of free coinage of silver are
realized it would be difficult upon their
own premises to perceive what would be
gained by those who expect cheap money.
Accepting their claim that under free
coinage the dollar Of silver would become
of equal acceptabi,ity and value and equal
power in the markets and in the payment
of debts throughout the civilized world,
the silver dollar would then be as difficult
to procure as the dollar of gold is now.
They complain now that the dollar Of gold
has too much purchasing power and Is too
difficult to obtain. But the real eXpecta-
tion of the great body OF supporters of
the free coinage of silver, and one much
more in harmony with the experience OF
mankind, is that the unlimited coinage OF
silver would give to the country dtpre-
ciatod and cheaper dollar which would
enhance nominal values and be used In
the payment of debts, but would be attend
cd and followed by the ruin of all indus
tries, the destruction of public and private
credit and irrcparable mischief.
MI Chairman and gentlemen, our plat
form commits us to the maintenance Of
the Democratic faith. Many of our asso-
ciatcs, deluded by deceptive SophiStr!os,
are supporting a coalition which disavows
the traditional faith of the Democratic
party. The best we can hope for them Is
that they may be defeated. and when de-
feated, they may return to the safe paths
that they have heretofore tro1den."