The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-07-15


We believe that that power Of sovereign
ty can 90 more with safety be delegated
to private corporation than the power
to enact penal statutes or to levy taxa
tiop Mr.. Jefferson, who was once
regarded as good Democratic authority,
seems to have different opinion from
the Senator from New York. They
tell us that the issuance of paper money
is the function of the backs and that the
Government ought to 60 cut Of the
banking business. | stand with Jefer.
son and tell them, as be did, that the
issue Of money is function of Govern
ment, and that the banks ought to 60
out of the governing businss (Cheers
aud laughter. }
THE Senator from New York says
he will offer an amedment providing
the proposed change of law shall not
affect contracts already made. Let me
remind him that that is not the inten-
ton where. under the present law,
contracts are made payable in gold.
But if be means to say that We cannot
change our monetary system without
protecting those who have loaned mon
ey before the change is made | want to
ask him where, in law or 10 morals. be
can 6ud authority for rot protecting the
debtors when the Act of 1873 was pass
ed The Senotor from New York also
asks about the consequence Of failure
to maintain parity. My reply is that
We cannot couple the platform With
doubt as to our own sincerity. He
says he want this country to try secure
cure an International agreement Why
does he not tell US what he is going to
do if they fail to secure it? (Applause.
They have tried for twenty years to Sc
cure an international agreement for
bimettallism, and those are waiting for
it most patiently who do not want it at
all. (Applause and lauGhter.
"1f they ask US why it is that we
say more on the money question than
oD the tariff question we reply that if
protection has slain its thousands, the
gold standard has slain its tens of thou
sands. (Cheers.) If they ask US Why
not embody io this platform all those
things that We believe, my reply is ths5
when We have restored the money Of
the Constitution all other necessary re-
forms will be possible, and that until
that is done there is no reform that can
be accomplished (Cheers.) Why is
it that in three months such change
has come over the sentiment of this
country? Three months ago it was
confidently asserted that those who be-
licve in the gold standard would form a
platform and nominate and elect can
didate. And they had good reason for
the assertion, because there is. scarcely
State here to-day asking for gold
standard that is not within the absolute
control Of the Republican party. Mr..
Mckinley vas dominated at St. Louis
on platform which declares for the
maintenance Of the gold standard until
it shall be changed into bimetalism by
international agreement. Mr.. McKin-
lev was the most popular man among
the Republicans, snd taree months ago
everybody 10 the Republican party pro-
pbesied his election. How is it to day?
"He who used to boast that be looks
like Napoleon Caughter) shudders to-
day when he thinks that be was uomi-
uated on the anniversary of the battle
of Waterloo (Cheers.) He can
fancy that be hears in the distance the
sound of the waves as they beat on the
lonely shores of St Helena (Cheers.)
Why this change? All. My friends,
the change is evident to anyone Who
looks at the matter 1t is because DO
private character, however pure, 90
personal popularity, however great, can
protect from the avengiug @rath Of an
indignant people. The mau who would
declare that he is in favor Of foisting
the gold standard on this people. or
who is willing TO surrender the right
of selfgovernmept aud to place legis-
lative cocsrol in the hanes of foreign
potentates and Powers. cannot hope for
an election to the Presidency Of the
United States (Cheers
eve 60 FORTH said the orator,
confident that we shall win. Why :?
Because there is not spot of ground
upon which the advocates Of the gold
standard can meet US. You tell US the
great cities are in favor of the gold
standard. Burn down your cities and
leave your farms, aud your cities will
grow up again. But destroy our farms
and the grass will grow in every city of
the Union. (Great cheering)
"My friends he continued, "we
shaIl declare that this nation IS able to
legislate for its people upon every ques-
ton without waiting for the consent of