The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1896-04-17

| Ihe democratic state convention
adopted free silver platform, and
instructed its delegates to the ma
tional democratic convention to
vote for free silver candidate for
president.
The one bone of contention was
whether the convention should de-
clare for the free coinage Of silver,
or whether it should be left to the
national convention. In spite of
the fact that it was generally con
ceded by the delegates opposing
such a course that they had an
unmistakable majority against
them, not stone was left unturned
in an attempt to avoid the newt
able.
CALLED TO ORDER.
The convention had no sooner
been called to order by Chairman
d. w. Sears than Mr.. j. K. Wealth
erford placed in nomination for
temporary chairman Mr.. P. H.
Darcy, of Salem. Mr.. J. N. Teal
seconded the nomination, and
moved further that the nomination
be made unanimous by acclama-
tion. The result was as Mr.. Teal
had desired, Chairman Darcy
then climbed upon the platform,
and, when the plaudits ceased, ad-
dressed the convention as follows:
Gentlemen Of the Convention:
I thank the convention for the
honor which it has conferred upon
me, and appreciate it to the fullest
extent. / am much pleased to
notice the large attendance of the
democracy of the state, and the
earnestness of feeling which seems
to prevail to bring about renewed
confidence in our party on the part
of the people. You represent all
sections of the state, and all its
diversified interests. It is essential
we should act in harmony and
with discernment in our delibera-
tions.
"While our party has made mis-
takes, yet we can point with pride
to the past history Of the democra-
tic party. It has been the great
conservator of the rights of the
| people. It became a part of the
governing force 10 the early days
of the republic. 1t was present at
its birth, suggested and carried out
measures which gave our country
strength and power, and enabled it
to obtain the standing among the
nations of the world unthought Of
by its founders. The democratic
party has at all times been friend
of popular government. 1t has
endeared itself to the people by
opposing in every way the intoler-
ance of those who have been actu-
ated with proscriptive spirit,
that would deny one the right to
worship God according to his own
individual opinion.
when the federalist party un-
dertook to force upon the people
the alien and sedition laws, the
democratic party opposed such
measures. When the anti-Masonic
excitement seized the country, the
democratic party took a stand
against the fanaticism that carried
everything before it for the time
being. When the American or
know nothing party obtained SO
much prestige in 1854, 5 and 6,
and threatened the peace and
prosperity of our country, the
democratic party, in county, state
and national conventions, de-
nounced the know-nothing party
and destroyed its power, and it
ceased to be a menace to our insti-
tutions.
THE democratic party has ever
been friend of the people. 1t has
opposed the wishes Of the aristoc-
racy and despotism on the one
hand, and commune and anarchy
on the other. Its purpose has been
to arrive at a golden mean in the
| government of the republic. 1t
has been an earnest and sincere
advocate of the privileges and
principles wrung from King John
at Runnymede, and as contained
in the bill of rights and the Declar.
alton Of Independence.
This being the case, the demo-
cratic party of Oregon is called
upon to take a stand upon vital
question, which is occupying the
attention of the American people
at the present time. If the demo
cratic party wishes to survive, il
must declare itself in favor of the
free coinage Of silver and gold. L