The Indianapolis journal., 1896-10-11
An Address That Was Full of Reason,
hut Witty Enough to Keep His
Audience Always Laughing.
JOHN H. HOLIDAYS REMARKS
PATRIOTIC DUTY CALLS HIM TO
LEAVE HIS OLD PARTY.
Compares Present Crisis to that of
'61. when Party's Loyalty Claimed
None Against Principle.

the eloquent words of Albert j. Beveridge.
In logical, convincing words he rent asun-
der the fabric of the banner of false doc
trines under which Bryan and his followers
are marching, showing the folly of each
proposition they are advancing. and point
ing out the disaster that must befall the
Nation IL their cause triumphs. He was re-
peatedly interrupted, now by the wild
cheers with which William McKinley's
name was greeted, and again with shouts
of laughter when he sent forth shafts of
sarcasm against the Populistic triumvir-
ate-Altgeld, Tillman and Bryan The meet
ing was presided over by John FL. Holiday.
About two thousand people were in the
theater. Down stairs ever seat was filled,
and many stood behind the rail. In the
balcony sat the Wholesale District En-
ployes' Sound-money League and the Big
-Four Republican Sound-money Club. The
house was well filled when the former or
ganization marched into the balcony behind
a drum corps, and the appearance of the
clubs banner was the cue for the applause
TO begin. A. little before o'clock the Ma
rion Club escorted Messrs. Holiday and
Beveridge to the stage. After music by a
large glee club Mr.. Holiday made short
address. During the course of his remarks
he took occasion to refer to his former an
tagonism to Mckinley, and when he de-
ciared that he must bury the hatchet in
the face of the present crisis he was loudly
applauded. He closed by introducing Mr..
iBeveridge. Mr.. Holiday said:
"a famous Latin poet is authority for the
sentiment, now crystallized in proverb,
that times change and men change with
them. Doubtless there are many here to-
might. who, If asked the reason for their
<sfy
ions, would respond in the spirit if not the
Language of that proverb. That is my own
attitude. When the prophet Elisha pre-
dicted to Hazael that he would become
King of Syria and commit awful atrocities
,pon the children of Israel, he replied is
thy servant a dog?' 1 frankly confess that
II an angel of light had appeared to me
few months since and prophesied that
should stand before you tonight as an ad-
Vocate of the election or W1lilam Mchlhiey
j should have answered him IN the spirit
If not the language of the treacherous
Syrian But times have changed. The Is
sues are not what they were expected to
he a great danger imminent and perilous,
has arisen suddenly and confrontS us with
a boldness and ferocity that, IKE a vast
cloud have hidden all other political OBJ
iects and made it the supreme and absorb
ing issue of the campaign The old nneS
are broken. As at the outbreak Oh me the re- re-
before would have secuted the luea, IouId
themselves under arms TO sustain the gov
ernment so we stand with you tonight
shoulder to shoulder. regardless OF the past,
in defense OF the national honor ana the
Integrity and well being of the American
people. The times have changed, ana we
have changed with them
ut is a grave question which we have to
consider t6rngn1 o.. Nation IS sound financial
system, which will place all men on an
eaualty of fairness: under ;ft Which steaddy
earnings conserved and rivulets of wealth
combined in great streams that VIII carry
on all forms of industry small ana great
Sueh n system produces prosperity, but
without n fixed standard of value there can
be no such system. Gold is the stahdaTd
years it has been our standard. 1t is the
standard of civilization. which always en-
ploys the most effective tool, and II we
make a change we go back half a century.
We might as well give up the steam engine
or electric motor and use morse power II
would be lust as logical to- abandon all I'M
rroyed tools and return to the methodS OF
our fathers as to give up gold for silver
The world is not going to 40 TINS; ,'t we may NAY
not change the time. and II we mike TINS
silver experiment we shall pay dearly Tor
it. We have a-foretaste now OF "hat Small
come. s..o,.,,, A.. +o
the attempt TO force large amounts OF sli-
yer into our currency. We are now reapnS
what we sowed. and is the crop SO iine that
we want to raise more of it? Talk about
The crime of 1873. Impartial history, when
narratine the events of this period will ap-
prove the legislation of 1873 and oenounce
the crime of 1878, when silver was renion-
etized. That was the beginning and fruit
ful mother of all our woes. which can be
cured only by patiently retracfng our steps
and redorming pnr sEsse To debase m our cur
rency by change Of standards will be the
most short-sighted, vicious and ruinous
policy ever devised. and is as certain to DO
fncaIculable harm as powder is to explode
If live coal is put into 1T: 49,
but if we begin with silver viii we stop
IQ,-xrn IN
last Tuesday. said that money Is the crea-
flIre of law That is the fiat idea. 1t is not
cessitv the outgrowth of human wants. 1t
exists without law. Law may regulate,
and should regulate 1t, though generally It
has done so to the harm of the world. put put
it cannot create 1t. The experiment has
been tried a thousand times ana mas always
failed 1t always Will fall. But IN TINS uec-
tion 1T is for less valuable money. Silver
to-day: tomorrow ii viii be paper. Stripped
of all its confusing verbiage. the silver agi-
tation means fiat money, and the expert
Ance of the world. the experience or q liv-
ing generation, both North and south, has
demonstrated the terrible cost and danger
OF appreciated and f1uctuating currency.
This question affects tne life and interest
O; every citizen. More than that. it affects
fne lives and interests of countless millions
vet to be- More than that. it affects the
Gestinies Of countless millions in other lands
across the seas. Joined to us by the fndiS-
eoIuble bonds OF civilization, which make
ia as impossible for nation to have an in
AAnendent existence as IL Is LOT an lnu1Vlu-
Oa1 to live tc himself In modern society.
with the exception of the national exist
hnce. it is the gravest question that has
ever confronted our people. one fraught
with gigantic injury. And this injury will
rot be material alone. 1t will demoralize
rs 1t will lower the standard Of individual
as well as national honor. II will debase
manhood as well as money. 1t will check
the progress of democracy, the faith in the
ueopie to govern themselves, which is to-
sIay the hope of the world. Our example
with q hundred years Of successful national
life will lose its force. and our mistake or
crime will be received with joy by every
unbeliever in free institutions. who will
point to it in derisive triumph as convinc-
ing proof that popular government is
failure.
But do not believe we snail take this
step: that we shall make this mistake. /
have faith in the good sense and honesty
of the American people. believe that in
the providence of God this country has
great mission to perform In developing a
higher form of civilization, in solving the
probIems that have made the world weep
IN agony for hundreds of years: in upbuild-
ing man and bestowing upon him q glorious
heritage: in becoming a sun OF liberty and
progress whose beams shall warm and fer
tilize the whole earth.
we are supporting is the cause that makes
for righteousness, and that is why / and
Others like me with you tonight. feel
fng that in our mutual desires and objects
we are at home with you and net In an