The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-03-11
Silver Men.
Called Together For the Cam
palgn.
In an Address, Mr.. Rowden, of the
National Silver Party, Calls on
the People to Line up
FOR the Fight.

To the People of South Csroliaa.
With the presidential campaign Of
1896 the time has agaiu come in the
history of civiilzation when men are
compelled 10 take determined stand
with a courage and 6fnness that
knows 90 defeat-for the rights Of
humanity against the greed of 40 ln-
trenched money po8er. This year
may prove tbe ast opportunity for the
cause OF the people TO win peacefully
by the ballot.
Bondholders and their cohorts Of
centralized wealth are rapidly rivetiug
the shackles Of a degraded serfdom 90
she producers Of the whole world.
Men of all classes of business--in pro-
duction, manufacture aod distribution
are feeling more heavily every day
the burden Of tribute they are paying
to banking and bondholding classes
the plutocra,ic socialists. The iutelli-
geuce of the citizens Of this republic
renders it necessary for our people to
lead the natloos in the fight for cur
rency reform. Through the discus
sions Of the last few years the iutelli-
gent voter has come to understand
much better than formerly, bow the
profits Of all industry are absorbed by
the drones Of the creditor classes, by
controlling tine issue and volume of all
mouey aud continually increasing its
purchasing power.
The period Of educational agitation
and theoretical discussion is rapidly
passing. The time for action has
come The united action Of the people
on the financial issue is the only
means Of success for the reforms
necessary. All patriotic citizens
especially the producers of the raw
material. the farmer and miner the
producer of the finished artic'e-tbe
manufacturec-and the distributors
the merchant and commercial men-
should equally bear the responsibilities
Of this grand fight for humanity
against the Sbylocks of England and
Wall street.
We caunot daily with the danger
nor longer be deceived by the dllatory
tactics of party politicians. That both
parties 10 charge of our government
now are servile tools of the money pow
er is notorious fact known of all men.
Shylock has already led out the Repub-
licau party as the wiuner this year.
The Democratic leaders themselves con-
fess that there is no hope for their party
10 the coming elections. lis national
convention will only be held to give the
pretended friends Of silver,
but really the slaves of Wall street
goldoatcrs-a chance to try their hands
at keeping some of the Southern States
10 line with another platform straddle
and milk.a cd cider candidate Going
into the natiooa convention of either
one of the old parties only means
deception aud division Of the silver
forces and final defeat to the cause Of
currency reform. The people must
take charge OF this fight themselves
from the begiuiog-make it open, hon.
est and straight, and resign none of
their vital interests into the hands of
party leaders. who ouly work for party
success
4 conference of silver men of all
parties, was held in Washington, D c.,
on Jan. % % ultimo. 1t was the
unanimous opinion of that conference
that the friends of silver coinage must
at ouce prepare for independent action
4 National Con vention was called to
meet at St. Louis on July 22d. In
adoption platform and aominatiag g
candidates, this convention is to CO.
operate with the Peoples party and all
other friends OF currency reform. a
national commmittee was selected aud
headquarters established at Washing
ton and the work oi organization viii
be rapidly pushed.
After consultation wit > friends OF
the cause in this State, aud feeling it
nv duty as member OF the National
Comr,ittce of the Americau Silver Par
ty from Scush Carolina, | have decided
TO issue this address-appealing to all
paif:.''H s;.i1a':, 'H'ia rcallz TIC u
pra;ue Importance OF the nouey isaac