Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-18

a practical man, and 1 recognize the con-
ditions existing in this convention, fore
Swallowed as they were by the action of
the committee selected by the representa-
tives assembled from different states.
This plank ana the proposition was pre-
scented to the whole committee and by 1t
rejected. Loyalty to my own opinion COM
pels me in the face Of unusual difficulties
to present this for our consideration not
with that bounding hope or with that cour-
age that 1 have presented this in other
bodies with greater measure of success
than 1 hope for here. The great and
supreme importance of this question is
alone my excuse for the few words that l
shall say to you.
I'm conjunction with this subject in
public capacity l have dealt with 1t, how
ever, twenty years. I represent state
that produces silver. but want to say to
you Here and now that my advocacy is not
in the slightest degree influenced by that
fact. applause and a voice. 'Good!D
Il am for 1t because 1 believe tina: there
can he no sound financial system in any
country in the world that does not recog-
nize this principle. 1 contend for 1t be-
cause since 1873 when 1t was ruthlessly
stricken from our statutes, there has been
a continued depreciation of all product of
human labor and human energy. 1 Contend
for it because in this year of 1896 the
American people in greater distress
than they ever were In their history. l
contend for it because this is. in my judg-
ment. the great weight, the great incubus
that has weighed down enterprises and de-
stroyed prices In this favored land of ours
contend for it because l believe the prog
reSs of my country is dependent on it. l
contend for it because 1 believe the civili-
cation Of the world is to be determined by
the rightful or the wrongful solution Of
this financial question. 1 am tolerant of
those who differ with me- 1 act from my
judgment, enlightened as best l have been
able TO, enlighten it. by my years of study
and my years Of, thought. In my judg-
ment the American people in the whole line
OF their history have never been called
upon to settle question of greater i'm
portance to them than this
Importance of the Money Question.
THE great contest, in which many of you
participated. for whether we should have
!. two flags or one. was not more important
to the American people than the question
of proper solution Of what shall be the
money system of this land.
Il have said enough to show that 1 think
question Of principle. 1t is not a mere idle
thing, but one on which hangs the happi-
ness the prosperity, the morality and the
independence of American labor and Ameri-
can producers. (Applause)
Confronted for the first time in the his
tory of this glorious party of ours, con-
fronted. l say. for the first time with the
danger of a financial system that in my
judgment will be destructive of all the
great interests of this land, We are called
upon to give to this provision of our plat
form our adhesion or rejection.
Republicans and Monetary Standards
Mr.. President, do not desire to say I'M
kind or unfriendly things and 1 will touch
for a moment. and only for moment,
upon why l object to this provision of the
platform. The republican party has never
been the party of a single standard. Gap
plause.)
1t was bimetallic party in its origin,
In all its history. In 1888 it declared for
bimetallism. In 1892 it declared for BIZ
metallism. In 1896 it declared for a single
gold standard. In 1855 we carried the state
that here represent for the republican
nominee; we carried it on bimetallic plat
form. We carried 1t with a majority that
Is equal, considering vote, to that Of
any other state in the Union. F'aint ap-
plause) 1t has been a republican state
from the hour of its admission. 1t has
Kept IN the Senate republican Senators and
In the House republican members.
Mr.. President, 1 promised you that
Would not discuss the silver question, and
Will not, except to say that this Slatform
Is such distinct departure from every
thing heretofore done by the party that it
challenges our republican name to accent
it.
International Conferences.
The platform contains some platitu6es
about international differences. 1t pro-
vldes that we will maintain the gold stand
ara IN this country until the principal ma
tions Of the world shall agree that we may
DO otherwise. This is the first gathering of
republicans since this party was organized
that has declared the inability of the
American people to control their own af-
1airs. (All the silver delegates arose in a
oody at this and howled their approval of
the sentiment.9 To my horror. this decla-
ratlon comes from the great political party
OF Abraham Lincoln and U. s. Grant Do
you believe that the American people are
100 weak to actually maintain a financial
system commensurate with the business of
the country Of their own fruition? Gentle
men OF the convention, you will have no
bimetallic agreement with all the great
commercial nations of the world, and it
cannot be obtained
$50 this Isl declaration that the gold
standard is to be put upon this country
6