The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-06-26

1oEH. iue lhspuOicah party mas never Deeu
the party Of a single standard. (Appause,l
1t was a timetable party in It's origin, In
all its history. In 1888 1t declared for
bimetalIism, in 1857 1t declared for binlet-
allism. In 1S06 1t declared for single
gold standard. In 1883 we curried the state
that l here represent for the Republican
nominee; we carried 1t OF q bimctallic
PLATFORM. We carried 1t with a majority
that c,lualled. considering our VOTE that
Of any state In the Union 1t has been II
Republican state from the hour Of It's ad-
mission. 1t has kept In the senate Itcpub-
Hcan senators. and In the house Republi.
can members. -
arc too weak to actually maintain a flnan-
cial system commensurate with the bust
ness OF the country or their own fruition?
Gentlemen OF the convention, you will
have no b!mctallic agreement with all
the great commercial nations Of the world
and 1t cnnnot be obtained. So this means
a declaration that this country Is to be
put upon the gold standard for all time.
Do you believe that Great Britain, that
great commercial nation of the world our
powerful competitor In commerce end
trade. VIII ever agree to open her mints to
the coinage Of silver. or that we shall open
ours? We are the greatest. nation Of the
world. Great Britain Is the great creditor.
We pay every year millions and hundreds
OF millions Of dollars us income on her
investments In this country on her loans.
The gold standard, iu my Judgment,
lowers prices and decreases values. And
she buys of US millions and millions more
than she sells us. She buys upon a gold
standard, lower and deprecating stand
ard. How long do You think it will be
before she will agree to n system of values
That raises the price of the products Of our
mines In this country? 1t is solemn dec
iaration that the Republican party intends
to maintain low prices aud stagnated bust
ness for all time to come.
There Is q beautiful provision in this plat
form about the tariff. l subscribe to that
lApplause and cheers from all over the
house,. believe in a protective tariff
more applause.) l have advocated 1t for
forty years (applause), but it is my SOLEMN
conviction that protective tariff cannot
be maintained on a gold standard Under
existing conditions, we undoubtedly have
the gold standard. I do not deny that, but
what have sought for twenty years is to
change 1t to the bimetallic system. have
believed and yet do believe that when the
almighty created these twin metals he in
tended that the world should use them for
the purposes for which they were created
applause from the silver mem, and when
ne blessed this land with more gold and
silver than any other country in the world
he meant that we should use them for the
purposes for which they were intended,
W.
We to-day reverse the traditions of our
country and declare We will use only one.
II the American people are In favor of
that have nothing to say. l must submit
to the majority vote and the majority
voice In this country Of ours. do not be-
polled. is in favor Of the gold standard.
believe that nifty per cent Of the people
are in favor Of bimetallism Of the old
fashioned system that existed In this coun-
try up to 1873.
NY friends. am sustained In my view Of
the danger that is coming to US and coming
to the world by the adoption Of the gold
standard, BY the intelligence Of the world.
Let me tell you that the best part of the
world IL with the advocates Of bimetallism
Az the great political teachers of Europe,
with the exception Of i've or six, are the
pronounced advocates Of bimetallism. un.
restrained bimetallism. All Of the great
teachers Of political economy In the Euro
pean colleges. without exception, are IN
favor of bimetallism. My own Judgment.
based. o. I have said to you, on careful
preparation and careful study for twenty
years bears me out and puts me in accord
with them. and would be truant to my
trust II failed to protest here and IL I
failed when the Republican party makes
this one Of the tenets OF Its faith, to sever
my connection with that party applause
and cries Of no).
81. Mr President raI 4t;n ask your permission to
and when have said them, having told
you what my conscience demands that I
should do, will leave this question for
your consideration. Do you suppose that
mySe.:: or any of my associates who act with
me and take the same view of this ques-
ton that do; do you suppose that we can
take this step without distress? Do YOU
suppose that we could take 1t for any per-
soma. advantage or any honor that could be
conferred upon us? We say 1t is a oues-
tion OF duty. You may nominate In this
convention any man you choose; IL you
R n9n 4ets g r. right 81, Kind Of
DDS to nominate him that you see proper.
I will defer to your Judgment and support
him, II the platform is a right one; but
when you ask me to surrender to you nv
principles, as an honest man, cannot do
that. realize what it will cost us.
realize that the contumely that will be
heaped upon US; but, my fellow citizens. I
have been through this before,-before the
political party to which you belong had o
being. I have advocated a cause more un-
popular than the silver cause. have stood
for the doctrine of free homes and free
speech. I am used to detraction; I am
used to abuse and have had it heaped up
on me. without stint. When the Republi-
can party was organised was there. with
Its distinguished leaders, its distinguished
men of forty years. I have been in close
communion and close friendship. I have
shared In Its honors. and In its few defeats
and disasters. Do you think that we can
sever our connection with a party like this
unless 1t be matter of duty-a duty to
all people Of this great land? (applause).
Mr.. President. there are few men in q
political party that have been honored more
than l have by the people in the state in
which l live. There are few men in this