The record-union., 1896-07-10

form in himself, and to whom they in
stinctfvely turn as the logical exponent
of their hopes.
1.-The people are not iconoclasts nor
false to their convictions. They fol-
lowed jefferson when he assailed the
centralizing and monarchial doctrines
of the old Federalists and was de-
nOunced as communist and leveler by
the wealth and culture of New Eng
land and New York. They followed
Jackson when he took the United States
Bank by the throat and was proclaimed
tyrant and ruffian by ths usurers and
money kings. They followed Lincoln
when he attacked the slave power and
declared that this country could not ex-
ist half slave and half free
The great movement for bimetallism
the free and unlimited coinage of gold
and silver at the ratio of IL to land
the restoration Of silver to its constitu-
tional status is no sapling chance sown
by the fountain, blooming at beltane,
in winter to fade 1t has come to stay.
l. is a protest against the wrong and
outrage of 1873, when. without debate.
and with the knowledge of only a few
men in Congress, the silver dollar was
-
despot of gold made supreme as to all
values. 1t is a declarat tion by the free
men of America that the United States
plust withdraw from the conspiracy
which was formed to destroy one-half
the metallic money of the world, in or
der to establish the slavery of greed
and usury, more degrading than the
tyranny of armed forces. 1t is the stern
n md tnd tot inf
enterprise and ruined homes for
change in the money system which for
years has brought disaster and desola-
ton.
I'm this crisis of our country and our
party we must take no step backward
in platform nor candidate. We want
no uncertain nor doubtful leader No
laggard in peace, or bastard in war.
No latter-day silver saint, but a griz-
zled and SCARED veteran who has borne
the heat and burthen of the day, and
whose breast is marked from the edge
of sword and point of lace on a hum
dred fields.
Twenty years ago the battle for sill
yer was begun in the halls of Congress
by a modest, unpretending, brave man,
not an iridescent or meteoric states
man, but of the people and from the
people, who has never faltered for an
instant in the great struggle. Others
doubted and wavered; some yielded to
Establishment and patronage, and are
now holding Office under the gold pow
er; others miSrepresented their cOnstit
uentS, and have been provided for in the
national infirmy of the present admin
istration, but Richard Parks Bland
stands now where he stood then, the
living, breathing embodiment of the
silver cause.
He struck with steel point the gold
en- shield of the money monopolists, as
did IvanhOe that of the proud templar
in the lists at Ashby, and has neither
asked nor given quarter.
Nor is he a narrow, one-idea man.
For twenty years in Congress he fought
in the front ranks for Democratic prin-
ciples and policies as taught by Jeffer-
son. He stood by the side of Randall,
and risked health and life to defeat
the first force bill. He opposed ably
and earnestly that crowning tariff in
fanny, the Mckinley Act, and was again
among the most foremost opponents of
the last force bill which passed the
House, but was defeated in the Senate.
He introduced the first free coinage
measure in Congress, and was the au-
thor of the seigniorage bill, which
passed both Houses and was vetoed by
President Cleveland. If this be an OBJ
scure record, where can be found the
career of any public servant which de-
serves the plaudits of his country
men?
The Democrats of Missouri, who have
passed through the fiery furnace of Re
publican prescription seven times heat
ed, and whose State flag has always
been placed beneath the great oriflamme
Of the National Democracy. make no
apology nor excuse when offering such
candidate for the residency.
IF it is, Whence comes our candi-
date?' we answer: Not from the
usurer's den, nor temple of mammon,
where the clink of gold browns the
voice of patriotism, but from the farm,
the workshop. the mine-from the hearts
and homes of the people,
ITO reject him is. to put a brand upon
| rugged honesty and undaunted courage,
and to chill the hearts and hopes of
those who during all these years have
waited for this hour of triumph To
nominate him is to make our party
again that of the people and to in
| sure success.
Give US Silver Dick and silver quick,
And we will make Mckinley sick
In the ides of next November"
| The voice Of the Missouri Senator,
never at any time very robust, was
quite lost in the vaStneSs of the hall.
His mention of BANDS name was fol-
| -.
of applause, not half so loud as the
clamor of the delegates fighting their
way into the convention.
Mr.. Comstock of Rhode Island COM
planned to the Chair that he had been
almost torn to pieces" in forcing his
way in through the force of police. A
similar complaint was made delegates
| from New York, and instructions were
given to the Sergeant t-at-Arms to rem
coy the evil. The Chairman and the
| Sergeant-at-Arms appeared to be ut
| terly unable to cope with the situation
and Vest went on with his speech NOM
mating Bland. The only part of his
speech that stirred the crowd was the
| closing:
Give us Silver Dick
And silver quick,
And we make Mckinley sick"
This brought down the house, and
hats and flags were waved and great
uproar made, which lasted for some
minutes. The band came to the help
of the crowd. striking up 'The Bat tie
Cry of Freedom" All the silver dele
gates rose to their feet cheered and in
dulged in all the usual manifestations