The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-07-15
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Without discrimination against either met
al. Thus you see that both parties de-
clared in favor OF gold and silver as the
money OF the country.
-Four years have passed since those plat
forms were written and those four years
have been years OF nomentous events. The
two great parties have now arrayed them
selves on opposite sides Of this great ques-
uon- The Republican party at St. Louis
declared that the gold standard should be
maintained until il could be changed by in
lernatloIal agreement. Note the language.
standard is good thing. because that
platform pledges the party 10 get rid OF
the gold standard and substitute for 1t
something better as soon as IL can be done
This better substitute could not be re-
ceived until the world should help. Q-ong
and continued applause.) The Democratic
party met in Chicago and IL adopted a
platform which is in direct opposition 10
the platform adopted at St. Louis. The
st. Louis platform declared that the gold
standard should be maintained until it
could be changed by international agree
ment-until something else could be done.
The Democratic party declared itself un-
alterably opposed TO A single gold standard
(Applause.) And. more than that. the Re
complete monetary system. The Demo-
cratic party outlined what IL desired 10
have done. 1t declared In favor of the inn
mediate restoration Of the free and unlim-
tied coinage OF both gold and silver at the
present legal ratio OF Is 10 ! (applause)
without waiting for the aid or consent of
we also declared that the silver dollar
should be legal tender for all debts. public
and private. and that snch legislation
should be enacted as is necessary TO pre-
vent for the future the decentralization OF
any kind of legal-tender money. More than
that. the platform declared that the gov
ernment should exercise the right TO re-
deem its coin obligations in either gold or
silver
THE ISSUE FALSELY STATED.
'.The issue is drawn and we have to make
our choice In this campaign between an
American financial system for the Ameri-
can people and an English financial system
to be forced upon us. (Applause.) Those
who believe in running this government on
the European plan should go and legslate
with the Republican party. Applause and
laughter) If 1 mistake not the patriotism
of the people. whose patriotism has never
been appealed TO in vain, there can be but
one issue in this campaign and but one re-
suit (ApplaUse) If they ask us what
about other questions we tell them that
so long as the right Of self-government is
in danger there is no other question. (Ap-
plause) Why discuss things if be not
powerful enough TO act when We have the
power? I've not the time nor disposition to
talk to you at this time, but / want TO i'm
press upon your minds two things. I want
you to ask two questions which ought to be
asked over and over again in this cam
pdlSn edc0 time Win increased emphasis.
and the two questions are these: If the
gold standard is good thing why ought
we to try to get rid OF it?' and, If il is a
bad thing why should we keep ii until some
other nation helps us TO get rid OF it?' CAP
piause)
Il thank you. friends and fellow-citizens
for the interest which you have manifested
and for the compliment which you have
paid us by your assemblage here to-day.
L can but beg OF you that you shall do your
duty as citizens. We who stand upon the
platform adopted at Chicago do not come
to you as suppliants begging for your
votes. Those votes are your own. You are
free men, and no man should stand in the
attitude of petitioning for a free man 10 do
anything but what Is according to his con-
science, but We come before you standing
upon platform and pledging its enforce
ment If elected, and we beg YOU TO study
the questions all the questions presented
by the issues involved, and then let your
ballots register a freemans will. | thank
you" Great applause and enthusiastic
cheering.)
There was tremendous applause when
Mr.. Bryan ceased speaking. Even those
who had come to hear Mr.. Mason Joined in
the demonstration of apparent approval.
The visitors were then escorted to a car
riage and driven to the railway station
where they took the train for Salem
Extensive preparations have been made
for the demonstration at Salem tomorrow
The placards advertising it announce that
Governor Altgeld will be there and speak
in behalf Of the national ticket