The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1896-08-15


Der of nations have demonetized silver
nothing can be done until ali of those ma
lions restore bimetallism. This is also
Illogical. 1t is immaterial how many or
how few nations have open minis, pro-
vided there are sufficient open mints TO
furnish monetary demand for all the
gold and silver available for coinage.
International Bimetallism
In conclusion permit to say word in
regard to International bimetallism We
are not opposed to any international
agreement looking to the restoration of
bimetallism throughout the world. The
advocates of free coinage have on all
occasions shown their willingness to CO.
operate with other nations in the rein
statement of silver, but they are not will
ing to await the pleasure of other govern
ments when immediate relief is needed
by the people of the United States; and
they further believe that independent
action offers better assurance of m,er-
national bimetallism than servile depend
enee upon foreign aid. For more than
twenty years we have invited the as
sistance of European nations, but al
progress in the direction of International
bimetallism has been blocked by the OPP
position of those who derive a pecuniary
benefit from the appreciation of gold.
How long must we wait for bimetallism
to be brought to use by those who profit
{ by monometallism? If the double
standard will bring benefits to
our people, who will deny them
the right to enjoy those ben
efits. Ii our opponents would admit the
right, the ability and the duty Of our peo-
pie to act for themselves on all public
questions without assistance and regard
less of the wishes of other nations, and
then propose the remedial legislation
which they considered sufficient, we
could meet them in the field of honor
able debate; but when they assert that
this nation is helpless 10 protect the right
OF Its own citizens we challenge them
to submit the issue to the people whose
patriotism has never been appealed to
in vain.
We shall not offend other nations when
we declare the right of the American
people to govern themselves, and, with
out let or hindrance from without, decide
upon every question presented for their
consideration. In taking this position
we simply maintain the dignity of sew
enty million citizens who are second 10
none in their capacity for self-govern-
ment.
The gold standard has compelled the
American people to pay an ever increas-
ing tribute to the creditor nations of the
world, tribute which no one dares to
defend. | assert that national honor re-
quires the United States to secure Jus
tice for all its citizens as we'll as to do
justice to all its creditors. For people
like ours, blessed with natural resources
of surprising richness, to proclaim them
SplVpC imnntpnt IN fran al
tenn suited to their own needs, is humili-
ating beyond the power of language to
describe We cannot enforce respect
for our foreign policy so long as we con-
fess ourselves unable to frame our own
financial policy.
Accept the Principles.
Citizens of New York, have travelled
from the center of the continent to the
Seaboard that l might in the very be-
ginning of the campaign bring you greet
ing from the people of the West and
South, and assure you that their desire
is not to destroy but to build up. They
invite you to accept the principles of a
living faith, rather than listen to those
who preach the gospel of despair and
advise the endurance of the ills you
have. Advocates of free coinage believe
that in striving to secure the immediate
restoration of bimetallism they are la
boring in your behalf as well as in their
own behalf. A few of your people may
prosper under present conditions, but the
permanent welfare of New York rests
upon the commerce of the Nation and
must suffer # that commerce is impaired
You cannot sell unless the people have
money with which to buy, and they can
not obtain the money with which to buy
unless they are able to sell their products
at remunerative prices. Production of
wealth goes before the exchange OF
wealth; those who create must secure
profit before they have anything to share
with others. You cannot afford to join
the money changers in supporting a
financial policy which by destroying the
purchasing power of the products of toll
must in the end discourage the creation
of wealth.
| ask, expect your cooperation. 1t is
true that few of your 1naneiers would
fashion a new fgure-representing
Columbia, her hands bound fast with
letters of gold and her face turned
toward the East appealing for assistance
to those who 1--we beyond the sea-but
this figure can never express our idea
of this Nation. You would rather turn
for inspiration to the heroic statue which
guards the entrance TO your city, a
statue as patriotic in conception as it is
colossal in prOport ons; it was the gra-
cious gift of a sister republic and stands
upon a pedestal which was built by the
American people. That figure, Liberty
Enightening the World, is the emblem
of our Nation among the nations of the
world With a government which de-
rives its powers from the consent of
the governed, secures to all the people
freedom of conscience, freedom of
thought, and freedom Of speech, guaran-
tees equal rights TO all and promises
special privileges to none, the United
States should be an example in all that
is good and the leading spirit in every
movement VIII CHI has for its object the
uplifting of the human race.
The delivery of Mr.. Bryan's speech
consumed nearly two hours and the fin
ish was greeted with hearty applause
The chairman then introduced Mr. Ar
thur Sewall and Gov. Stone presented
him with the formal nomination docu-
ment
ARTHUR SEWALL.
His Speech Accepting the Democratic NOmina-