The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-06-25

this late day the task seems gigantic, but
it is not hopeless. If ever there should
be campaign of education, it is now.
1T is the duty of the Democracy in the
present crisis to speak clearly on the finan-
cial question. The party of Jefferson
and Jackson, of Benton and Tilden has
always favored the best money in use-the
money adopted as the standard by the
most enlightened nations of the earth.
Neither consideration of eXpediency nor
the selfish interest of those who own sill
yer bullion should lead us to depart from
the safe and secure path. The people
have not forgotten that the silver purchas-
ing law bearing the name of another Ohio
statesman was the work of Republican
congress and of Republican president
That law made of silver commodity and
untitled it for its true mission, a medium
of exchange. Nor have the people for
gotten that the repeal of that law was
the work of a Democratic congress and of
Democratic president. If it had done
no other thing in its four years of power
and responsibility our party should have
the gratitude and confidence of the coun-
try for thus stopping the coinage of
5O-cent dollar
Mr.. Thatcher's speech was freely ap-
plauded.
During the call of the roll of delegates
there were enthusiastic and prolonged
cheers when the name of William G.
Whitney was reached, and a demonstra-
ton of almost equal fervor greeted the
name of David Bennett Hill few min
utes later.
The contest of the Shepard delegation
from Kings county was referred to the
credentials committee. Other contests
were from Queens, Richmond and Wayne
counties.
After the appointment of committees
the convention took recess until 3
o'clock.
On recOnvening the temporary organiza-
tion was made permanent.
The committee on credentials reported
in favor of the sitting delegates in every
case. and upon the report being adopted
the Shepardites from Kings and Wayne
counties walked out of the convention
amid Kisses from the delegates. The
platform, which was read by Senator
Hill, was adopted as follows:
1T would be folly to ignore and i'm
possible to eXaggerate the gravity of the
conditions under which this convention
assemblies. Most of the other states of
the Union have selected and commission
ed their delegates to the national Demo-
cratic convention. By a movement evil
dently concerted, but, as we believe, i'll
advised and ill-considered, instructions
have been given to the delegations of a
large number of states having for their
purpose the adoption of a new policy and
a new platform for the Democratic party.
mo opportunity for fair and deliber-
ate consideration of such policy and plat
form has been afforded the Democracy
of the state of New York Upon such
new matter thus proposed to be incOrpo-
rated among the tenets of the party it
becomes the duty of the Democrats of
New York, representing their people, to
speak in no equivocal terms. Gold and
money of the constitution and
of our fathers-each at parity with the
other in purchasing power, has been the
platform of principles proclaimed by every
Democratic convention, which
has thus adopted and reaffirmed to each
declaration of party faith for century
the wisdom of Thomas Jefferson, who
said: The money unit must stand on
both metals.
''The action of a Republican congress
and a Republican president deprived
silver of its equality with gold From
this act (for which the Democratic party
was in no way responsible) and from the
action of other nations following IN the
same course, it has resulted that silver
has greatly declined in commercial
value and there now exists wide de-
Darture of the two metals from the coin
age standard of value, bringing disturb
ance to the financial system of European
countries as well as to our own and
awakening there as here the earnest ap-
of statesmen and hnanciers.
The restoration of the equilibrium of the
two metals thus disturbed is problem,
the solution of which is of the least con-
sequence to the prosperity of both TINS
and of Europe, but is wholly be-
hind our power without the cooperation
of other nations. Such cooperation by
the united efforts of statesmen and wage
here and elsewhere is believed
to be near at hand. Free coinage of sill
yer by the United States alone can have
no other effect than to change our pres
ent standard to one of silver-nOw de-
preciated coin-and to retard, perhaps
destroy forever. the success of the move
ment now general throughout civilized
countries for the restoration of silvei
bimetallic coinage in the principle mints
of the world. The proposition 70 sepa-
rate ourselves from the great nations of
the world, to adopt the monetary stand
ard of Mexico and China does not com
pare with the pride and financial abili-
ty of the state of New York or the
United States. 1t should be resisted
with the fervor of both partisanship and
patriotism by Democrats everywhere
when the adoption Of such a course
threatens, as it does, untold evils to our
nations commerce and industry.
"For these reasons and with these con-
victions the Democrats of New York in
assembled, make the follow