The Charlotte Democrat., 1896-08-06
FREE SILVER THE GREAT ISSUE

The National and State Democratic
conventions have both declared in plain
terms for the free coinage Of silver at
the ratio OF 16 to |. They have nomina-
ted candidates to defend and protect
those platforms. The national Free-silver
party has endorsed the Democratic ma
tional candidate, and the national Popu-
list convention, also endorsed the Demo,
cratic candidate. This is manifestation
enough from the masses of the people
TO prove that the main, ia fact the only
issue, of this campaign is the free and
unlimited coinage of silver 1t proves
that the people are sincere in their fight
for the money of the masses. Why then
continue to fight among ourselves? Why
not give the party a phalanx to fight
with2 Most Southern Democrats have
lccepted the Chicago platform and can
iidates. The only way 20 get free sill
YER is to get the silver forces united a
gainst Mark Hanna. Why dicker with
the Populist, or any other free silver fac
tion, when silver is the one thing that
the South and the West are almost unit
ed on against the Republican party. The
Republican and the Populist parties are
diametricaly opposed to each other.
But the Populist party has been made
up from the Democratic party and the
only issue with the Popullst now is free
coinage. So it is with the Democrats
Therefore if the people as q mass in this
State arc sincerely for free coinage they
should unite forces and make an undi-
vided stand for it. Make the election of
Bryan and SeWell certain. All factions
do as the boiting Republicans have done
Join the fight for free silver Show
that you are sincere in the fight for sill
yer. The Popuiists are now face to face
with what they have been fighting for
will they take the advantage of their op.
Dortunity and cast their votes for Bryan
and Sewell? Or Will they by voting
some other ticket show their insinceritY
for silver? Will electoral fusion bring
about what The masses want? The Ex
ecutive Committee of the Democratic
party has past resolutions 10 favor oil
electoral fusion. Can we have electoral
fusion? Will Boss Butler permit il? He
will If ho can get enough for it. He
wants the earth and wire to fence it in
Will not the election of Bryan be more
certain if the battle be carried on b7 the
Democratic party alone? The SiIve,
forces are in favor of him, they are going
to vote for him and for Sewell. He will
be elected regardless of fusion. But the
duty OF the party is to follow the lead o.
the executive committee. 1t is lead by
Mr.. Watson, our candidate for Governor
But we do believe that Butler will rur
from you every timo you 60 to his de-
mands. He wants all The issue is sill
yer against gold nometallism. The
sentiment is daily growing in favor O
the white metal. Why then make thous,
andS OF voters sick by asking them t.
support fusion? We do not endorse cleo
toral fusion but will follow the lead of tb,
party. We are anxious to see the mass
es relieved. 1t is a trying time will
them. The laboring men ar,
united in behalf of silver and they are de
termined TO have it. If they do not oe
it now they will have it later. If the,
cannot getit by peaceful revolution the,
will have it BY some other means. TIL,
election of Bryan and ACongress to SUP.
port him is what the people want. W,
firmly believe that nothing human Ga,
stop the free coinage revolution that /;
now sweeping the land throughout thes,
United States. We firmly believe tba
Bryan will be elected without the aid q
the Populists, bnt as they are fighting fo
the same cause as the Democrats, VIII,
not have united vote and make his cleo