The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1896-06-25
TELLER'S FAREWELL.
Speech of the Colorado Senator With
drawing From the Party

Speech of the Colorado Senator With
drawing From the Party.
Senator Teller, as he stood on the plat
form to make his final proposition to the
gold standard policy, was a striking
figure. Tall, gaunt, he wore the old-fash-
Toned frock coat Of the old time states
man. His face is deep furrowed with lines
of thought, and no one who beheld him
as he stood and surrendered all his old
associations for a deep conviction on a
single topic, doubted his honesty Of pur-
pose His face is thin, his eye grey and
his forehead high. His beard and hair
are iron grey, the hair brushed straight
back from his forehead and falling back
ward like a cataract He was evidently
deeply aroused by the emotions that
stirred him, and his gestures at times were
almost fierce But his general tone was
one Of sadness and regret. He was given
most respectful hearing by the delegates,
was no demonstration on the floor in the
early part Of his address. The galleries,
however, were at times vociferous, and
when he asserted the power of the United
States to control their own affairs without
dictation from Europe in the matter of
finance or anything else, many of the dele
gates were drawn into the display Of en-
thusiasm by the Wild tumult about them,
but the Colorado senator made no effort
at dramatic effect. He spoke in clear,
sounded through the halls Of the United
States senate. 1t was not until toward
the close Of his, speech that he became
beth impressive and pathetic. His review
Of his long service In the party visibly
affected him. AS he realized the step he
was about to take, he drew himself to-
gether for. a final appeal, and declared,
with an earnestness that impressed those
who heard him, that in his opinion the
morality, the religion and the salvation Of
the country were at stake. He spoke as
follows: - g..
I will not attempt to inflict upon you
discussion of the great financial question
which is dividing the people, not only of
this country, but of the world. The few
moments allotted to me by the convention
Will not enable me to do more than state
In the briefest possible manner our objec-
lions to the financial plank proposed for
our consideration. I am q practical man
and recognize the conditions existing in
this convention. foreshadowed as they were
by the action Of the committee selected by
the representatives assembled from the diff
ferent states. This plank or the PROPOSE
tion was presented to the whole committee
and by it rejected. Loyalty to my own
opinion and consideration for the great in
terest that Is felt in this country compels
me In the face of unusual difficulties to pre-
sent this plank for your consideration, not
with that bounding hope or with that cour-
age that l have presented this in other
bodies with greater measure of success
than can hope for here. The great and
supreme Importance of this question Is
alone my excuse for the few words that I
shall say to you. represent state that
produces silver. but I want to say to you
here and now that my advocacy Is not in
the slightest degree Influenced by that fact.
I contend for it because believe there can
be no sound financial system in the coun-
try or the world that does not recognize
this principle. I contend for it because
since 1873, when 1t was ruthlessly stricken
from our statutes, there has been a con-
tinued depreciation of all products of hui
man labor and human energy. contend
for it because in this year of '96 the Amer
lean people are in greater distress than
they ever were in their history. I contend
for 1t because this is in my judgment the
great weight the great incubus that has
weighed down enterprises and destroyed
prices in this favored land OF ours. con-
tend for 1t because I believe the welfare
OF my country is dependent on it. con-
tend for 1t because believe the civilization
OF the world is to be determined by the
rightful or the wrongful solution of this
financial question. 35
nm tolerant of those who differ from
me. I act from my Judgment, enlightened
{ as best have been able to enlighten it By
my years of study and my years Of thought.
3 In my judgment the American people In
the whole line Of their history have never
u
greater Importance to them than this. The
great contest in which many Of you partici-
pated, whether we should have two flags or
one, was not more important to the Amer
lean people than the question of a proper
solution Of what shall be the money sys-
tenn Of this land.
tried to show that this was not a
question Of politics, but question of rrin-
ciples. It Is not mere idle thing, but
one, on which hangs the happiness, the
prosperity, the morality and the indie
pendence Of American labor and American
producers. Applause) Confronted for the
Arst time in. the history of this glorious
party Of ours, confronted for the first
time with danger of financial question
that In my judgment will be destructive
d al the great interests Of this land, we
ere called upon to give to this provisioa Of
4 sNr platform our adhesion rejection.
Nj. President, do not like to say I'm.
Kind or unfriendly things, and will touch
~ pQmept aud only a moment upon
~ 1bjtdt q this provision Of our plat,