The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-08-18


the parity Of gold and silver. II pro-
poses to reduce the country to q condi-
ton OF silver monometallism with Its
vacilliating and unreliable standard OF
values. and tends to bring the farmer,
the wage Garner and the salaried men
to the wretched condition of the same
classes In countries In which the silver
standard prevails and where the re-
wards OF agriculture and labor are
lower than anywhere In the world.
With what seems to be q deliberate
attempted to mislead the people. II as
serts that In the coinage act OF 1878 the
United States abandoned the use OF sill
yer as money and that gold has appre-
ciated and commodities have fallen In
price solely by reason OF this legisla-
tion. II ignores the fact that the prices
of commodities have fallen because OF
the enlarged use OF labor saving ma
chinery. increased production and re-
sulting competition. II suppresses the
fact that a potent reason for the de-
cline In price Of silver has been the
discovery Of new and cheaply worked
mines, resulting In an enormous In
crease In its production. Instead Of re-
cognizing these facts. It appeals to the
prejudice Of the people. 1t demands
the free coinage Of silver at the arbi-
trary and fictitious ratio OF Is to !. al
though the ratio established In the
worlds markets Is about % to I. and
although neither experience nor reason
warrants the belief that the CONNER
cial ratio between the metals can be
reduced by the action OF this govern
ment to any ratio. even approximating
that proposed. II threatens in certain
contingencies to increase. to an unlim-
tied extent. the volume OF legal tenders
issued by the federal government. the
ultimate effect OF which would be 10
force the withdrawal Of all coin from
circulation and to compel public and
private business to be transacted In de-
preciated paper currency, constantly
huctuating In value. and to invite the
ruin and confusion that have always
followed the adoption Of such a policy.
It's declarations invite and have almost
produced a financial panic and many
OF Its proponents announce that to ac-
complish their purpose they are pre-
pared to involve their country In dis
aster comparable to nothing In Its his
tory save the calamity of the civil war.
1t assails the independence Of the ju-
dietary by a covert threat to reorgan-
ize the courts whenever their decisions
contravene the DEGREES OF the party
caucus. IT seeks to allure Office seek
ers and spoilsmen to Its support by at
tacking the existing civil service laws.
which good men OF all parties have la
bored so long to establish and to ex-
tend to all departments Of the public
service. The Chicago convention has
thus departed from the recognized
democratic faith, and promulgated
doctrines new and strange to the dem
ocracy. All democrats are absolved
from obligation TO support Its pro-
Sramme. More than this. as the doc
trines announced are destructive Of ma
tional honor and private obligation and
tend to create sectional and class dis
tinctions and engender discord and
strife among the people. all good citi-
zens of the republic are bound to re-
pudiate them and exert every lawful
means to insure the defeat Of the cam
didates that represent those false doc
trines. -.
Democraks are told that they must ac-
cept the platform enunciated and the
ticket nominated at Chicago because sub
mission to the win OF the majority In a
fundamental principle OF democracy. II
10 tfut that Wucu = uiaJoIity VI ut peo-
pie have expressed their will at legal
election the Will OF such majority must
be obeyed. This Is essential TO the peace
and existence OF the nation. But II is a
monstrous perversion Of this doctrine to
| apply " to q political party which exists
| only by virtue OF q common voluntary as
sent to Its principles.
When q democrattc convention departs
| from the principles Of the party no DEM
ocraf remains under any moral obliga-
ton to support its action, nor In there
any tradition Of the party that requires
him 10 do 20. On the contrary. II 10 svi-
| dence of moral weakness for any free
man TO vote to enforce policies which,
| IN his opinion. are inAmical to the welfare
of the people or the integrity Of the a-
| tion.
The duty ofthe hour In to stand stead
| fast IN the defense of our ancient faith.
| In this crisis there Ia az stake more than
the possibility OF temporary victor. The
honor and perpetuity Of the democratic
party are at stake. A political orsa nixa-
| ton that In untrue to itself. Its princi-
pies, dts history and tradition is dis
graced and dishonored. The existence Of
our great historical party that has with
stood the assaults OF every foe ID threat
| cned by REASON OF tne recreancy OF many
Of It's members. That this party. a. we
have known H. may not die. let the faith
full Of years rally around Its historic
banner. reform Its broken lines. and
with abiding faith In the final triumph of
It's principles. unite to restore the name
democrat TO IT'S former meaning and
proud distinction.
To this end we request all democrats
who are opposed to the platform adopted
and the candidates nominated at Chicago
to organize In their several states and
to send Representatives to the convention
Of the national party to be held at In
dianapolls on Wednesday. Sept. .. 1896. In
accordance with the call heretofore Is
sued by the national committee. tsigned)
w. D. Bynum. Chairman.
John r. Wilson. Secretary.
Charles Treacey.
r. w. McCutcheon,
@. II. Olding.
W. d. Haldoman,
j. NJ Faulkner.
Ellis Usher.
r. w. Lehman.
| John p. Hopkins.
ExecutIce Committee Of the National
Democratic party.
Il