Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-10-15
FOR BRYAn AND sEwALL.
Vice President Stevenson Stands Up at st.
Louis for Free Silver.


the National Association of Democratic
Clubs. 1t was about 10: 80 in the forenoon
when the delegates and visitors began
TO assemble at the Auditorium, where
the convention was held, and it was al
most an hour later when President E.
Black called the meeting to order. At
least 300 delegates were present, and
the vast hall was well filed with visit
ors. President Black delivered his
quadrennial address, in which he de-
clared that the cause the democratic
party was supporting was that of no
class, no section, but of the people as a
whole.
Mr.. Black was frequently interrupted
by applause. When he had finished he
introduced Vice President Stevenson,
who said:
For what DO the real candidates for the
presidency stand? Will the public inter
ests-the interests of all the people-best
be subserved by the success of the demo-
cratic party. or by the return of it's an
taSonfst to power? 1t must be remembered
that during the SO years Immediately pre-
ceding the Inaugural ton of President Cleve-
land on the 4th of March, 1893, there was
no single moment that the democratic
party controlled the presidency and both
houses Of congress: never a moment that
1t could place single law upon the stat
ute books. For all the legislati during
that period. which has brought in it's train
financial disasters, monopolies' and trusts
the republican party alone is responsible.
During the period I have indicated the
monetary system of the founders of our
government was abandoned and silver de-
monetized.
1.-The sad results to all kinds of business
to all conditions of men, that have fol-
lowed, as the night the day. the demon
etlzatfon act of 1873 have never been, will
never be adequately told. Something of
the evils that have followed in it's train
can be found in the enforced id1eness of
those who vainiy seek employment, in
the wrecked fortunes of men once pros
porous in business. and in the deplorable
condition of the finances of the nation. But
we are told that the real isSue-that upon
which this election is to turns not the
monetary, but the tariff question. Our
opponents place this in the very fore front
of the struggle. Meeting them for mo-
ment upon their chosen ground, judging
from their past history-what are their
promises, what their intentions, in the
event of success?
Regarding the Tariff.
1.-THE nomination al ST. Louis of the dis
tinguished author OF the last republican
tariff law empha sized the determination of
our opponents, when in the full tide Of
power, to reenact the Mckinley law and re-
store to our statute books the most I'M
just, the most odious tariff schedules
known to any period of our history. Can
it be forgotten that the democratic vic
tories of 1890 and of 1892 were the result
of the revolt of the people against the
'protectionisTn run mad, which found its
perfect work in the Mckinley law? Is
1t possible that the lessons of history
so soon to be forgotten? Can it be that
the legislation under which the protected
monopolists thrived as never before under
which the articles of daily necessity in
every home were taxed as never before; and
by which the government was deprived of
revenue absolutely necessary in meeting
its expenditures-iS so soon to be condoned
and it's authors. after repeated condemna-
ton at the polls, again to be intruSted with
supreme power?
The return of the republican party to
power means the repeal of the Wilson
tariff law! It means the reinforcement of
the Mckinley law, or one even yet more
odious in its provisions. Let no man de-
ceive himself touching the issues in
vOlved in this contest. If, in the interest of
the favored few, you desire the burdens
OF high tariff taxation again to come to
your hearthstone, your place is with the
followers OF the Mckinley law. You can
have no lot or part with those who seek
to lessen to the people the cost of every
article of prime necessity. The election of
a republican president and congress por-
tends the renewal of tariff agitation, not
in the interest Of the consumer, but in
the sole interest of monopoly and greed.
1t means the turning back of the hands
upon the dial, the undoing of all that has
been accomplished. 1t portends ceaseless
agitation and the consequent arrangement
of all business. 1t means that the McKin-
ley law. with it's class favoritiSm, it's or
gained greed, it's horrors of depleted treas
ury shall again find place upon our statute
books.
1.-The income tax provided for by the Will
son tariff bill has by the court of last resort
been declared unconstitutional. With
many others deeply regret this decision of
the supreme court.
Considers the Financial Question.
1.-The financial question overshadows all
others in the present contest. Upon this
question. the difference is irreconcilable
between the two great parties now con-
tending for supremacy. Shall the single
gold standard be maintained, or shall there
be a return to bimetalliSm? The success
of the republican party means the one
that of the democratic party the other.
Believing as do that gold and silver
find equal recognition in the constitution
of the United States: that by their joint
use in effecting exchanges and performing
the other functions of money have
prospered in the past; and that the evil
days now befailen are in no small meas
ure the result of the characterization of
silver, I have no hesitation in maintaining
my party allegiance and casting my vote
for Bryan and Sewall, the nominees of the
democratic convention. I deeply regret
that many of those with whom have been
associated in former contests now oppose
the election of the candidates nominated
in accordance with the time-honored
methods and usages of the democratic
party.
Position of the Two Parties.