The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-14

/ Ny opinions and my public acts have
Deen an open book, to be read by my
contemporaries. have been at all
uInes controlled by my own convictions
OF outy, and have no one whom can
properly invite to share my responsible
titles.
Taught by Jefferson, I opposed sIav-
cry When 1t existed Inspired by Jack
son, oerended the union of the states
20 the extent of my ability and, inf1u-
enceo by his example when nv con-
quot as military officer as challenged
as Violative Of law, 1 voluntarily sub
civil courts
" lille governor of my adopted state,
while opposed, and by peaceful means
successfully resisted, the interference
OF the United States by its military
FORCES in the purely local concerns of
the stated distinctly conceded the right
ana asserted the duty of that govern
ment to enforce within the states or
elsewhere its own laws by its own agen-
cies-
The convention which assembled in
chicago in July of the present year, in
demanding the unlimited coinage of sill
yer at the ratio of 4121a grains of silver
to 25 $40 grains of standard gold with
full legal tender quality for all debts
ana dues, public and private, offers to
the country a scheme from which every
voter may expect whatever advantage
to the country or himself his reason or
even his Imagination can suggest The
full legal tender silver do not agree as
to what will be the consequence of the
adoption by the United States of their
IaVor1Ce measure. The more intelligent
know that it is impossible, by law, to
give to silver bullion, or silver coin, a
loci value in the United States; and
therefore, Mr.. Bryan, who must be re-
garded as the official interpreter of the
free silver dogma, asserts his belief
that the unlimited coinage of legal ten
der silver by the United States alone
he limo of h.
lion, which is to say 81 cents per ounce
to $1.29, and he asserts his belief that
under unlimited coinage the silver dol
lar, containing 41212 grains of standard
silver, coined by the authority of the
United States, would be Of equal ac-
ceptability and value with the dollor
containing 25 $40 grains of standard
gold in all the markets of the world
1t is something that this opinion has no
support in the experience of mankind
It is enough for present purposes to
say it has no foundation other than the
confident assertions of those who share
in that belief
mo party in the country ever under
took much as do the advocates of
the unlimited coinage of silver They
not only undertake to maintain COM
mercial parity in value of about 434,-
5O2,O41 silver dollars already coined by
the United States under the authority
of the acts of the 2Sth of February,
1878, and of July IA, 1890. and of all the
silver dollars that hereafter may be
advancing the value of the silver coin
age of all the nations of the world to
an equal acceptabilfty and value with
coins of gold. If the expectations of
such of the advocates of free coinage of
silver are realized it would be difficult
upon their own premises to perceive
what would be gained by those who ex-
pect cheap money. Accepting their claim
silver would become of equal accepta-
bility and value, and equal power in
the markets, and in the payment of
debts throughout the civilized world.
the silver dollar would then be diff
ficult to procure as the dollar of gold
is now. They complain now that the
dollar of gold has too much purchasing
power and is too difficult to obtain.
But the real expectation of the great
body of supporters of the free coinage
of silver. and one much more in har-
mOny with the experience of mankind,
is that the unlimited coinage of silver
would give to the country a deprecated 4
and cheaper dollar which would en-
nance nominal values and be used in /
the payment of debts, but would be at
tended and followed by the ruin of all /
industries, the destruction of public /
and private credit, and irreparable mis- /
chiefs.
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen: Our /.
platform commits us to the mainten- /
ance of the Democratic faith. Many of +.
our associates, deluded by deceptive +
sophistries, are supporting a coalition (
which disaVOWS the traditional faith of :
the Democratic party. me best we .
can hope for them is that they may be !
defeated, and when defeated, they may /
return to the safe paths that they have /
heretofore trOdden."
The playing of MY Old Kentucky /
Home" followed Gen. Palmer's sDeech
and then Chairman Bynum introduced
John r. Fellows, who was greeted by
a remarkable ovation. When the ora
tors voice was first heard quiet was
instantaneously restored.
In deliberate and well turned senten-
ces Mr. Fellows began his speech notf-
tying Gen. Buckner of his nomination
for vice president. When Mr.. Fellows
had finished, Gen. Buckner was intro
duced by Chairman Bynum, and the
ex- confederate was given the reception
to be expected in the home Of his
friends. He spoke extennora nan11slH