Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-08-26

nv duty to fight for have made the
fight on my record, even that which
Won endorsed two years ago. You
have gone in advance of me. l have
no feeling under Gods earth against
any of YOU for it. But when | look
into the faces of men here who have
been nv friends, and when listen to
their regrets that cannot stand with
them. it gives me the keenest pangs of
sorrow. / know this is not a personal
fight, but on an issue about which we
honestly differ. l am unfortunate in
this that with the best thought l can
give it, could not altogether agree
with you.
They say am gold bug, but if any
man can point out to me, from my
votes in congress. a single one that is
not for silver, except as to the change
of ratio, 1 would like for him to do it..
I was not alone in the belief that the
ratio should be changed. Our NOM
inee for president has expressed that
view most emphatically and it is here
in a line. In a speech delivered in the
house of representatives on the 10th
day of August, 1898, he said: "Among
those in favor of bimetallism and in
favor of independent action on the
part of the United States, there is,
however, an honest difference of opin-
ion as to the ratio at which the I'M
limited coinage of silver should be
undertaken 1.-The principle of bi-
lnetallism does not staud upon any
| certain ratio, but may exist at to 30
as well as and to 49," Following on the
same line received a letter dated
June Sth, 1894, from one of our most
distinguished advocates of silver,
written me about the time we were
voting on this question. saying this:
ut will never do to be discouraged. |
advise you now to offer a flat -footed
bill for the free and unlimited coinage
of silver at the ratio of IS to 1, and
have q vote taken on it." Long and
patient reflection has made me come to
the conclusion that IS to is the right
ratio. The divergence in the value of
| the two great metals, brought about
by natural causes, has induced me to
advocate this change of proportion y
Brought about by natural causes and
not by the crime of 1878, as is now said.
Have you any idea who could have
written me such a letter as that!
| Voice from crowd-Camm Patteson.)
| Who7 Surely you do not mean Captain
Camm Patteson? On the 8th of June,
1894, that letter came to me from a
distinguished advocate OF free coinage,
recognizing the fact that the ratio
ought to be Is to 1.
Mr.. Patteson. All that I ask is why
did you not vote for IL to 1 when l
asked you. - -" --s---
/ Mr.. Tucker. Because I wasa proph-
ct, ana saw that before very long you
were going to stand on 16 to 1 or
"bust." Great laughter.)
Fellow citizens, you will pardon me
I am sure, for when l am addressing
you for the last time think there
should be no doubt in your minds as
to my position and no differences be-
tween us. AS l started out to say.
would like for any one to point out in
my record, if they can, a single vote
against silver, except for the change of
ratio, which is endorsed as l have
shown you. by two OF the most emin-
ent and distinguished authorities in
the United States, namely, Bryan and
| Camm Patteson. Let me say to you in
conclusion, that have been advised
most strenously that it was my duty
to take position on the Chicago plat
form and make the race for congress.
made speech in congress on this
issue in which l said that did not
believe that such ratio would bring
the two metals together and if they
did not come together it would be
disastrous to the people, and So believ-
ing, how could tell the people any
thing else; and, this position l have
taken all along. My friend Button,
who stands before me, asked me at the
Stanton convention if l would stand
on a Is to platform it nominated. to
which replied that I would not. Is
not this correct? Ito which Mr.. But
ton replied in the affirmatiye.) Aud
i the man who, for political reasons, is
willing to stifie his honest convictions.
with the hope of gaining popular ap-
plause will receive. as he deserves, the
unstinted contempt of his fellows.
Now my friends, l bid you goodbye,
and l part with you with untold feel
ings of regret. Voice from crowd-we
can't part with you.) Well am pack
gage at any rate. As I look into the
faces of SO many before me; men who
have been my friends for SO long,
hardly know what my valedictory can
be to them. There are the representa-
| tives of the true old county of Fluvan-
ma. Where on Gods green earth can
you find such a homogeneous people
as the people of ''old Flu. ?" When I
think of your many virtues, l could
almost wish that all of the world
produced only persimmons. Such
kindness; such cordiality as is shown
by the good people of Fluvanna to
strangers can never be described. 1t
must be experienced to be realized
can not say too much for this great
county, in which we are assembled
here today. Words would fail me to
speak of the people of Nelson, Buck
ingham. Cumberland and Appomattox
| counties; and when I cross these Blue
/ hills, and look over into that smiling
valley whose sturdy, thrifty people
have ever been faithful to my cause
what can say of you-my first love,
my best?
In the rock-ribbed county of Rock
race of natures noblemen, whose rug
ICED character defes deceit and com
mands the respect of the good every
where. Their men have ever been in
| the first rank Of our political battles,
where the fight waxed warmest.
To the Empire county of Augusta I
shall return. To her partially l am
indebted for my first entrance to public
life. On her broad bosom have ever
rested secure amid the varied storms
OF political life. In private life l ask
no greater boon han the affection of
her generous people. Their approval
has always been my highest reward
and their criticism my seyerest rebuke.
Whatever betides me in the future,
the honors which you have so freely
bestowed upon me in the past will
exact my undying devotion to your
| interests.
| have thus stated frankly and freely
To I1Osifi1,r, il %