The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-07-15
Tho congregations, con,e,,.
Franklln Va, July 10, lSs

Franklin va, July 1S, 1895.
Editor of the Norfolk yirginian:
III clip The following from an editorial In
inst.:. @
southern and Northeastern Demo-
crafts who are IN favor of sound money
have the recourse OF nominating and
clecting men of their own persuasi sion to
represent their respective districts in
Congress. They can thuS cast their bal
lots FOR q free silver President without
giving up the ghost completely. The
States which were against free coinage
In the convention are entitled to 1873 rep
resentatlves in the House. which, togeth-
er With scattering sound money men
elected by smothered Democratic dis
tricts in free silver States (the Second
Virginia district for instance) would cas-
lily make up the rest. This suggestion Is,
we think. worth serious considerations 1t
shows how conservative Democrats who
are not for free silver can vote for the
national candidates of their party and at
the same time lessen the chances of tho
passage of silver law"
The same idea was repeated In the
Landmark in an editorial of the 18th.
Nov, if ! understand these editorials
Alright. 1t Is practically call upon the
gold Democrats OF this district to organ
lie for the nomination of n gold candidate
for Congress- while voting (perfuncto-
rily) for the candidate for President OF
the Democratic party which has declared
unequivocally for free coinage. In other
words 1t calls upon the gold men of the
district to vote for q President to sign q
free coinage law, and at the same time
elect Congressman who will do all he
can to keep the said President from hay-
Ing an opportunity to sign such law.
Is that consistency? Perhaps I have
not the proper understanding, but 1t
seems to me that standing by the party
means not ony voting for its candidates.
but also defending its principles. or at
least keeping silent for that campaign
where the principles do not accord with
our own views. There is no use irving
to Disguise the fact that the financial
question is the great and overshadowing
Issue of this campaign. / am frank TO
admit that man can be a Democrat
and yet not believe in free coinage. be-
cause there are other issues, and possibly
they may think greater issues, at stake.
upon which he does agree with the pa rty
But when. as In this campaign this
question has been made the great nara,
mount issue, and the overwhelming ma
Jority of the Democrats of the State, in
convention at Staunton. has declared for
free coinage of silver and two-thirds of
the Democracy of the nation assembled
at Chicago, have declared the same way
then. for this campaign at least that
ought to be accepted as the doctrine OF
the party and we ought 10 stop fighting
among ourselves and not seek, so far as
we can do IT by The election OF .he mem
Der of the House of Representatives, to
defy and defeat the wishes of q great
majority of the party.
l nave always been Il warm advocate
of the free coinage OF silver but had the
Chicago convention declared for gold
should have supported the nominees and
have been In favor OF the Nomination for
Congress OF a man In accord with the
platform, and l believe that the gold
Democrats ought to act in the same man
ner when their Views are turned down
on this question as,I1would have acted
had mine been turned down. If a Dem
ocrat who stands on the platform cannot
be elected in this district. then let us be
beaten, but for consistency's sake let us
be beaten standing square on the plat
form.
] believe that upon sober second
thought the Landmark will see the i'm
propiiety of the position II has taken
and will recede from it. But If It should
persists in making this fight as / hope
1t will not, then | shall be glad that 1t
has made these editorial utterances. 1t
will serve TO put the silver Democrats of
the district on their guard and will
arouse them to organize and see to 1t thai
the silver sentiment IN the district is
fully represented in the coming Congress
sional convention I cannot speak for
but one county in the district-my own
but believe this county will support the
nominee for Congress. whoever he may
be- whether for silver or gold. SO he be
a Democrat.
But we believe that while in this.
Southampton, county there are true,
tried and lifelong Democrats who do not
believe in free coinage of silver, still they
will loyalty bow 10 the will OF the major
ity and will place no obstacle in the way
of the nomination for Congress of man
In accord with the platform of the party.
and that this county VIII send delega-
ton TO the Congressional convention in
structed, without a dissenting voice, to
support for the nomination a Democrat
who will support the platform.
j. G.. PARKER
rhn oil " 4 90 A