The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-15
DU BIeNoN AND THE DOLLAR.
a SPEECH AT HOMERVILLE IN IA
VOR OF SOUND MONEY.

The Voters of CIInch County Turn
Out En- Mass TO Hear the Eloquent
OratOr-The Audience Thoroughly
in Sympathy With the Speaker.
The Crowd shows It, Enthusiasm
by Frequent Applause.
bonneville. Ga. April 1.-THE speech of
Hon Fleming G. duBignon this afternoon
and the splendid reception given him made
up an important political event In the
history Of Clinch county. The disting-
uished speaker was met at the depot by
a delegation of prominent citizens and
after dinner he was escorted to the Elem
ing duBignon Institute building. which has
the largest auditorium in the county
The room was hastily decorated. all the
pillars being wrapped with vines. while
the name Fleming C. duBignon" was
prettily worked in cedar and draped across
the stage. The building was crowded TO
its utmost capacity, many standing in
zhe halls and others. who could not gain
entrance looking through the windows
from the outside. 1t is estimated that
there were over thousand present There
was fair sprinkllng of ladies' and many
distinguished gentlemen. from this and
other counties. occupied seats on the
stage.
Mr.. duBignon was introduced by Prof.
s. P. Settle and a splendid reception was
given him.
The speaker opened his remarks with
pretty acknowledgement OF the greeting
given him. and then prefacing his speech
with an eloquent tribute TO democracy
which fairly lifted the audience to its
feet, he went into a discussion of the
money question. His advocacy of sound
currency was strong throughout. and he
had the sympathy of the crowd in all he
said. His tribute to the congressman
from this district, Hon. Henry G. Turner,
evoked a storm of applause.
Mr.. duBignon stated that his discussions
of the currency question was solely in the
interest of truth, and he aVerred that he
had rather preach the truth than hold any
Office in the peoples gift. The noble senu-
ment was warmly applauded.
He favored state banks, with the proper
safeguards around them, and he expressed
the belief that the free, unlimited ana IN
dependent coinage of silver at a rate OF
10 10 1, would bring untold miseries to the
common people of the country.
His speech throughout was chaste and
eloquent, and added to his reputation as
an orator and statesman 1t is said that
there is not free silver democrat in this
county. The populist are few, and are
losing strength and enthusiasm daily.
The following are some OF the points
made by Mr.. ,duBignon: In certain sec
tons of this state, he said linen are pre-
claiming views and opinions in advance
of party action that would be ruinous to
the people and democracy. Such a
course, need not say, would be the death
of the party. As have remarked before,
though South Georgia may not carry off
any honors in this contest, l proclaim
that she is the home and hope of pure,
unalloyed and rock-ribbed democracy.
A large and respectable element Of the
democratic party favors the free, unlim-
tied and independent coinage of silver at
he rat ia Of 70 NG.Tr hot h.,
better able to present my argument 10
you, will admit that gold is coined free
of mintage, and l do not see why silver
should not be coined free of mintage.
But, he continued, the unlimited and in
dependent coinage of silver would give
us deprecated currency, ana our inter-
ests require sound and stable money. True
money is that which can always proclaim
in joyous confidence: Il know that my
redeemer liveth."
The silver argument, he said is the ar
gument that appeals TO prejudice and not
10 reason.
The free silver policy is a great scheme
of protection. 1t would protect the silver
mine owners to the extent Of 50 cents on
every silver dollar coined. If the free sill
yer advocates Will show that this govern
ment can coin silver free at the minis In
unlimited quantities and independently of
other nations and say 81 cents is 100 cents
ghe Sllverites are right in their argument
but II the government cannot say 81 cents
is worth 100 cents, and make it true in fact
then the stvertes are all wrong" zone
nation, said Mr.. duBignon, can no more
live without another nation than one man
can live without neighbour
If were asked for my remedy l would
offer as my first this suggestion, stop
your talk about 80 cent dollars. (Applause)
Restore confidence
My second suggestion would be to repeal
the ten per cent. tax on state banks The
repeal of this law would do the people of
the south more good than all the free sill
yer laws that can be passed from now I'M
Ill dooms day.
Mr.. duBignon then discussed fully the
report of Secretary Carlisle made in 1891
and which all Georgia members of congress
approved.
MIR. dIBignon, in conclusion made an elo-
quent appeal for pure democracy and the
salvation of the state from cheap appeals
10 prejudice and passion. When he finished
the audience applauded most enthusiast
ideally. Prof. Settle proposed three cheers
Tor duBignon, and the audience responded
enthusiastically. Mr., duBignon spoke one
hour and half.