The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1896-08-15
GOV. STONES SPEECH.
The Formal Address Notifying the
Democratic Nominees.
Eloquent Tribute Paid to a "ModeI Gentle
man and Peerless Leader"-The Plat
forms Contrasted-Advantages of
BImetaIIIsm Clearly Defned

man and Peerless Leader"-The Plat
forms Contrasted-Advantages of
BImetaHism Clearly Defined.
Following is the address of Gov.
William J. Stone. of Missouri, delivered
at Madison Square garden, New York
city, on Wednesday evening, August
IL. formally notifying William J. Bryan
of his nomination for president by the
democratic national convention:
Mr.. Chairman, we are here this evening to
give formal notice of their selection to the
gentlemen nominated by the national demo-
CRITIC convention as candidates for president
and vice president OF the United States.
Hitherto, by immemorial custom, the pleas
ing duty of delivering notifications OF this
character has devolvcd upon the perma-
nent chairman of the national convention.
acting, by virtue of his office. as chair
man OF the notification committee. Elk
cept for unfortunate circumstances, unex-
pccied and unavoidable, tho usual custom
would not be parted from in the present in
stance. 1 regret to say, however, that unfore-
seen events OF n personal nature have arisen
which makes it practically impossible for the
chairman OF the convention. Hon. stephen M
White, of California. to be in New York at this
time. A few days since he telegraphed me to
that effect, and did me the honor to request me
to represent him on this occasion While l
greatly appreciate the compliment cOnleTTeu ny
this designation, l cannot but deplorc the en-
forced absence of the distinguished senator
from California. and L am requested by him to
express his deep regret at his inability to be
present and participate in the interesting cere-
moaies OF this hour.
Mr.. hartman, the convention which assem-
blcd at Chicago on the 9TH day OF July last was
convened in the usual way, under a call issued
in due form, by the national democratic COM
mittee. There was nothing out OF the ordinary
IN Hhn nnnnns ~ q nGGnrah1fn0 md Nht
In the action OF the under which au-
thority II. was convoked to distinguish 1t from
its predecessors. 1t was in all respects a reg
ular national convention of the democratic
party. Every state and territory in the union,
from Maine to Alaska, was represented by a
full quota of delegates, and 1 may add with
perfect truth that a moro intelligent and thor
oughly representative body Of democrats never
assembled on the American continent
The convention was called for two purposes:
First, to formulas a platform declaratory of
party principles, and secondly, to nominate
candidates for president and vice president OF
the United States. Both the purposes were
fully accomplished, and accomplished accord
ing 20 the usases that have been recognized
and the methods Of procedure which have OBJ
tained for 80 years. The acts of the convent
tion, therefore were the acts OF the democratic
party. Its work was done under the sovereign
authority Of the national organization; and
that work was the direct outgrowth OF the
calm. well matured judgment of the people
themselves, deliberately expressed through
their Representatives chosen from among the
wisest. most trusted ana patriotic OF the cit
liens in all the states.
Although all have said is literally true, yet
the fact remains. OF which everyone is con-
scious. that there were extraneous circum-
stances leading up to the convention which at
tracted unusual attention to its deliberations
and which invested them with unusual inn
To such an extent was this true,
that 1 may say without exaggeration that no
q y rolfffral - lon hna haan ocuaunT1oA |
in this country since the civil war upon which
public attention was rivetcd with such in
density. or in the outcome OF whose delibera-
lions not only the American people, but the
OF the earth, felt such deep concern.
We arc all familiar with these circumstances
to which 1 refer.
The national administration was created by
tho democratic party. 1t is the result OF the
great victory won in 1892. The campaign Of
that year was fought almost wholly on the
tariff Issue. 1t was n war waged against the
monopolistic. trust-breeding sched-
ule of tho Mckinley Law. The democratic
party was united almost as one man against
that law. and thousands of those who believe
in the policy OF protection conservatively ad-
for the public good, and not for pri-
Tate enrichment, protested agntnst this mon
strous extortion for indivi .ual and corporate
emolument- Opposition to the Mckinley law
was the dominant issue OF that campaign and
the measure was condemned by an ovcrwhelm-
ing majority OF the American people.
But, Mr.. Chairman, l desire to say that al
though the tariff was made tho issue OF 1902,
there were thousands of democrats who then
that a reform in our monetary sys-
tenn was OF far greater importance than reform
In our revenue policies. / was among those
who so believed. Those holding to that belief
did not In any degrcn underestimate the inn
OF the tariff issue, but they believed.
nevertheless. that the control OF Our fiscal
affairs by u mercenary combination of Wall
street bankers. dominated by foreign in
wEao 80 a 70 A. q
and more pernicious in its effects on the ma
Lional prosperity than all the tariffs the mtserly
hand OF gluttonous greed could write.
However. We acquicsced in the decision OF
our party convention, accepted the issues as
and as one man rallied with loyalty and
llacrity to the standard o. revenue reform.
We rejoiced in Mr.. Cleveland's election and
expected. AMI we had "A right to,
hat he would bring the tarin question to q
speedy settlement and strip monopoly of its
to pluuder the poop Q. But this
expectation was doomed to disa ppoint-
nent. Instead of d~eyoting himself to prompt
ind wise solution OF the issue upon which he
elected, he incontiEcntly thrust it aside
md began, almost at the threshold OF his ad-
ninistration. to exercise the great powers of
1ls onice to commit the country to a financial
,ystcm inaugurated by the republican party,
Ind which the democratic party had time and
lgain condemned in both state and national
In the beginning OF this attempt
The masses Of the people. disappointed and dis
ressed, looked on in amazement With abb
,orbing interest and with constant increasing
they watched the rapid develop
neat of events.
As these events passed before them one by
In quick succession. and when they come
o understand their full meaning and effect, re-
eminent turned To wrath. and protest rose
revolt. Then began within the democratic
party one OF the most remarkable struggles
hat has ever occurred in the political history {
u this country. II was a struggle for mastery
N.-n Nko V.ffOFuI I'D U1fnfefraf ion and the
'reat masses OF plain PEOPLE who constitute {
he party which created that administration
rhe prize they fought for was the national
That convention was to determine
the dem ocratic party should abide by
he traditions of the fathers and adhere to its I
ncient faith: whether it should obsequiousiy
the principles Of true democracy A1d
,ecome q plant agent to advance the ler3e-
larry ends OF an iusolent plutocracy. The &
'eople won. They won n glorious victory. 4
The full Significance of their triumph cannot 1
re estimated at a glance. Suppose they had I
what then? Suppose the Chicago conven- '
ion had followed the servile example OF tho {
convention, what theny If that I
ad happened. what hue would the sky now /
cveal to the uplifted eyes OF anxious millions?
Would the star OF hope then have risen lumt-
Gus to the meridian or have fallen with waning I
I2ht upon q clouded horizon? Upon what I
would the toilins millions In field and !
hop then have rested their tired hands? What
ulwarks of defense would have hen stood I
'etween the great Industrial and producing ]
lasseS who constitute the solid strength ana {
afety of the state. against the combined ag- {
ressions of foreign money-changers and /
American millionIfres? Upon =
hat rock would the defenders OF the t
institution, the champions of American ]
ieas, and the friends of American institu- :
.ons, have anchored their hopes for the fu- ' !