San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-06-18
SILVER DELEGATES PROTEST.

SILVER DELEGATES PROTEST
In announcing the purpose assert
ed in this paper, it is due to our con-
Stituents and to ourselves that there
shall be public showing of vindicat-
ing facts. The sole authorized eX-
preston of national Republican facts
from June 8, 1892, until this date,
has been the platform adopted in nat
tional convention at Minneapolis.
Neither the numerous state conveR
tons nor the protests of individuals
could change that platform nor abate
the sanctity of the bondholders. Ev-
cry delegate to this convention was
elected as its adherent and its sup
porter. True, two of the most i'm
portant paragraphs. have been sub
jected to such a divergence Of con-
structiOn as to make its language I'M
satisfactory during the Intervening
time and dangerous, If continued in
the future; but of the intent con-
tanned within that language there
never has been a doubt. 1t is the
rightful province of this convention
to revise the party tenets and an
nounce anew the party purpose. The
maiorityof this convention in the eX-
ercise of such authority has this day
made official enunciation of Republic
can law and gospel. With much of
the platform we agree, believing that
in many essential features that it
compasses the needs of humanity, IA
yors the maintenance of right and
proposes, the just remedy for wrong.
But it declares one element, princi-
pie. not only in direct contrast to the
expression of party faith in 1892, but
in radical opposition to our solemn
conviction. We recognize that in all
matters of mere method it is proper
and perfectly just that the minority
should Weld to the will of the ma
jority lest we have chaos in parties
and in government. But as no pro-
nouncement by majorities can change
opposing knowledge or belief, when
entertained. so it cannot Oblige min
critics to abandon or disavow their
principles. Assuredly, as it is requi-
site for peace and progress that min
critics shall yield tomajorities in mat
tiers of mere method. just so surely
is it necessary for that same peace
and progress that minorities shall not
yield in matters of fundamental
truth.
The Republican platform of 1892
affirmed that the American people
from tradition and interest favored
bimetallism and demanded the use of
both gold and silver as standard
money. This was accepted by us as
declaration in behalf of the princi-
pie upon which rests the interest OF
every citizen and the safety of the
United States. In such terms the
platform was then satisfactory to the
believers in bimetallism in our party.
ONLY because of equivocal construc-
ton and evasion hasit since been dem
onstrated to be insufficient. The plat
form adopted today in the national
Republican convention at st. Louis
SAYS: "As the platform of 1892 has
been taken by a majority Of one party
to justify a single gold standard for
our monetary basis, and as the recent
power of the party has been in that
direction. we can but assume that the
money plank of the new platform
being much more favorable to perpet-
uate gold recommendation, will be de-
terminedly used in behalf of that
idea. The Republican party has won
its powers and renownby pursuing its