The San Francisco call., 1896-06-20
Declare Their independence and
Fealty to the White Metal
Only.
READY TO AFFILIATE WITH
THE DEMOCRACY.
The Coloradan Offered as the Chicago
Sacrifce-Mantle Joins the
SecederS.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. June 19.-Several acces-
sions to the ranks of the bolting silver men
were received this morning, the most not
able being Senator Lee Mantle of Montana,
who had refused to leave the Convention
Hall with Senator Teller and his followers
yesterday. The boilers held conference
late last night, and as a result an address
so the voters of America was issued, de-
elaring their independence and readiness
to affiliate with any party that would go
into the campaign on free-silver plat
torn.
The boom of Senator Teller for the
Presidency has been growing hourly.
Messages have been pouring in upon him
from white metalists-Democratic, Re-
publican and Populist-pledging support
il he were placed at the head of any party
ticket launched on free coinage platform.
The belief is growing that before the
Chicago conventions overtures which will
result in the choice OF the Colorado states
man as the Democratic standard bearer
; will be made.
The address issued by the boilers fol-
lows:
To the People Of the United States: obeying the
call OF duty, and justified by the common citi-
zenship of this Republic, we address this CON-
munication TO the people and forthcoming
convention OF the United States In doing so
we claim no authority or right other than that
which belongs to every man to express per-
sonal convictions; but we respectfully solicit
tine cooperation OF all who believe that the
time has come for return to the simpler and
more direct method OF naming men for Ma
tional service than has obtained in recent
years.
Political party organization is necessary, be-
cause without it the individual voter is dumb
but the party is only the means not the end
il is the voice and not the sense. As the world
advances to this wonderful epoch of intellec-
tusl development and physical improvement
there is a constant requirement for better
things. The individual feels that require ment
and heeds it or falls in life's endesvor. Par
ties must also obey the same law. 1t follows,
therefore, that the moment a party shall
choose to stand still or retrogress it also be-
comes inefficient to achieve the end to which
> the people are necessarily destined. There is
no sanctity in mere party name, and the mark
of decay is set on individual strength in the
Nation when the absolute rule of political or
ganization coerces man from the truth for The
sake of expediency and establishes insincere
submission 10 partizan rule for the sake of
power.
Recognizing the value and the splendid
achievements of political parties in this coun-
try as elsewhere, we are yet constrain ed to be-
lieve that for more than twenty years no one
OF them has been entirely sufficient for the
needs OF the people The great trend TO better
things resting in the heart and purpose of all
men has been stayed during the latter part of
this generation by the failure OF parties to ex-
press in their achievements the highest hope
and aspirations of the mass of the people who
constitute the parties. And there has been
growing in this country, swelling with each
recurrence of National elections, great mass
of independent thinkers and voters, which
failing within itself to control, has gravitated
between the two great parties.
Since 1872 excepting possibly the election
of1S76) the pendulum has swung from side to
side with each four years. In 1872 the Repub-
Ican party elected the President; in 1876
the Democracy claimed the election; in 1880
the Republican party elected; in 1884 the
Democrats elected; in 1888 the Republicans
elected; in 1892 the Democrats elected; in
1895 until within few weeks) it has been
conceded that the Republicans would elect.
What has been the cause OF this mighty
oscillation of mass which this year has prob
ably obtained controlling proportions? Every
man can answer to himself. If he has been
an observer, if he has had interests that were
affected; If he has felt hope to see a greater
justice done and has seen that hope blasted
if he knows that the general dissatisfaction
promises made were broken to the people By
party performance, he knows that as soon as
the election was over and successful candidates
installed they became the servitors of the
party and the advocates of a narrow and non
progressive policy within which alone there
seemed to be an assurance of selfish safety and
partisan approval. During all this period VIC
have lacked great constructive administr
ton. No new social truth has been put for
ward in an effective way. While in all the de
partments of physical life there have been de
velopments and achievements of ease anc
comfort to the favored OF mankind, in the
still greater and more important domain o
social reform we have stood still or retro
gressed.
II is not that the people have not felt the
STRINGS of determination that this inactior
has endured, but because of the rule of party
which has largely controlled men IN and ou
of Office. 1t has been q source of reproach tt
any man that ne should renounce allegiance
to organization. Men have been expected tC
submit their views to the dictation OF conVen
tions, although it is common knowledge thai
conventions have been swayed to views ano
declarations not the most approved by the
mass of people, nor conducive to their vel
fare.
We do not arrogate to ourselves one iots
more Of intelligence, patriotism or courage
than is possessed by other of our fellow-citi
zens, but we feel that the time has come fol
the performance of duty to the country, and
for our part, though we shall stand alone, we
will make an endeavor in the direction of that
duty. Parties may outlive their usefulness,
but truth never becomes obsolete. Every gen.
GRAFTON of free men has the right to affirm the
truths OF past knowledge and present acquire
ments. and if the enforcement of these truths
shall make necessary a departure from party
organization the people have this right and
will exercise it until old parties Shall return to
the truth or new parties shall be created to ef-
feet il into law