The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-04-02


vote together, while the gold standard
Republicans and the gold standard
Democrats vote together. What then
may we reasonably expect to be the
outcome Of the whole matter? Since
the Republican party and the Demo-
cratic party are both divided on the
money question, is 1t not reasonable
and fair to expect that both Of these
parties will make concessions in their
national platf0Sms to both gold and
silver advocates, and allow the matter
to be settled by the people at last
through their representatives in Con-
gress 1t looks that way. Certain it
is that neither of these great parties
will Intentionally cast away any great
part Of its following by disrogardipg
their demands. 10 expect any now
party under these circumstances to
draw recruits enough from these two
great parties to enable it to succeed, is
most unreasonable and without prob
ability.
Now, the question arises, what shall
be done by us here in our State? We
have among us gold standard Demo
Gratis (monOmetalists(, and Democrats
who believe in both gold and silver
(bimetallists.) The one is, or should
be, as true to the Democratic party as
the other. So far as loyalty to Demo-
cratic principles If concerned, there
should be no difference even though
we do ditfer on the financial policy
The Democratic party of this State
should go on record on this question in
tho coming State Democratic Conven-
tion which meets early in May to elect
delegates to the National Democratic
Convention. If q majority of the Dem
ocrats of this State favor gold
standard, then we should send dele
gates to the National Dem ocratic Con-
vention who will represent that senti-
ment. But if q majority of the Demo
Gratis Of the State favor @ gold and sill
then we should send delegates to the
National Democratic Convention who
will represent that sentiment. This is
fair, it is Democratic, and it is the
only safe course. 10 do otherwise
simply means the disntegration of the
Democratic party Of the State and it's
loss of power at home, and u forfeiture
Of the right to recognition by the Ma
tional Democratic party. BY all means
let evcry Democratic bimetallist in the
State stand by the Democratic party,
and let us make our fight for what we
want within the Democratic ranks, and
take our chances with our brother De-
mocrats who favor single gold stand
ard by this course we will preserve
it tact our State Democratic organiza-
tion, which is Of far more Importance
to our people than tho success of any
national party. Attempt will doubt
less be made during the year by Ge-
signing persons to form coalitions Of
parties in order to Overrun the Demo-
cratic party OF the State, and get pos
session Of the State government. It is,
therefore, Important that you remain
untrammclled. Stay out Of tho Third
party, stay out Of the silver leagues,
and stick to the Democratic party,
which is the only safety you have for
homo protection.
do not know what steps the single
gold standard Democrats Of the State
will take to ascertain their strength,
or to send delegates to the National
Democratic Convention. But | beg to
urge upon you and through you every
Democratic bimetallist in your com
munity to be active and energetic in
presenting the cause of bimetallism.
There is no necessity at this time, that
| can sec, for the formation Of bime-
tallic clubs. Certainly there is no
necessity for any Democratic bimetal-
list to join Third party, or become q
member Of q silver league. All that
the Democratic bimetalists need now
do is to rally their forces at the Dem
ocratic club meeting, and poll their
strength for bimetallic delegates to the
county conventions, and to see to it
that only bimetallists are sent to the
State Convention. Let me urge you
not to be lukewarm in this matter, but
to be active and enthusiastic. We may
reasonably expect the single gold
standard men to do all in their power
to send their delegates to the State
Convention. This is politics, and we
should not think hard of them if they
give us The best fight they can; but we
and if we beat them, they should not
feel hurt with us. Make the fight for
the delegates to the finish, but let it
be fairly and openly done.
Remember that the clubs will be
called to meet in April to elect dele
gates to the county convention. BE
sure to have every bimetallist to at
tend the club meetings regularly.
Urge this for all it is worth upon
everybody interested.
Every bimetallist who receives tb is,
Ct would send it to every one in the
State if | could) and every one who
hears of it, is respectfully requested to
drop mo line and inform me of how
the himetallic cause stands in his COM
munily, and to make any suggestions
that will advance tho cause. Let no
friend to bimetallism hesitate to drop
me q line, for ] assure all that it will
be appreciated, and will greatly en-
courage and aid me in looking after
the interest Of tho cause. Without
the cooperation and help of all the
friends to bimetallism we may get
beaten in tho contest for delegates.
Most respectfully,
w. d. MAYTIELD,
State Bimetalic Dem. Committeeman.