Evening star., 1896-08-18
Its production. Instead of recognizing these
facts, 1t appeals to the prejudice of the

Idcts, II appears 10 the prejudice OF the
people.
1t demands the free coinage of silver at
the arbitrary and fictitious ratio of l6 to /,
although the ratio established In the world 8
market Is about 81 to Land although neither
experience nor reason warrants the belief
that the commercial ratio between the
metals can be reduced. by the action of this
government, to any ratio even approximate
ing that proposed.
1t threatens, in certain contingencies to
increase to an unlimited extent the volume
of legal tenders issued by the federal gov
ernment, the ultimate effect Of which would
be to force the withdrawal of all coin from
circulation and to compel public and private
business to be transacted in deprecated
paper currency constantly fiuctuating in
value and to invite the ruin and confusion
that have always followed the adoption of
such a policy.
Its declarations invite and have almost
produced. financial panic and many Of its
proponents announce that to ACCOMPLISH h
.ieir purposes. they are prepared 10 involve
theif country in disaster comrarabIe TO
nothing in its history save the calamity of
civil war. 1T assails the independence of the
!uiiciarv py covert threat to rcorganize
.iie courts whenever their decisions contro-
Vehe the DEGREES of the party caucus
1t seeks to allure office seekers and sno;,s
men 10 It's support by attacking the existing
civil service laws. which good men of ali
parties nave iabored so long to establish and
10 extend to all departments of the public
service.
Democrats Authorized to Bolt
The Chicago platform, having thus de-
parted from the recognized democratic faith
and promulgated doctrines new and strange
tc the democracy. all democrats are alb
solved from obligation to suppor, its pro-
gram. More than this. IS the doctrines an
nounced are destructive of national honor
ana private obligation and tend to create
sectlonal ana class distinctions. and engen-
uer discord and strife among the people,
all good citizens of the republic are bound
10 repudiate them and exert every law full
means to insure the defeat of the candi-
oates that represent these false doctrines
Democrats are told that they must accept
tne platform enunc!ated and the ticket nom-
mated at Chicago because submission to
the Will of the majority is a fundamental
principle of democracy. 1t is true that
when majority of the people had express
ed their will at legal election the will of
such majority must be respected and obey
ed. this being essential to the peace and
existence of the nation
but II is monStrOuS perversion of the
doctrine to apply it to a political party
which exists only by virtue of d common,
voluntary assent to its principles.
When a democratic convention departs
from the principles of the party no demo.
Crat remains under any moral obligatio
TO support Its action nor is there any ira
dition OF the party that requires him so to
do. On the contrary, 1t is evidence of moral
weakness for any free man to vote to en-
force policies which, in his opinion, are in
lm.cal to the welfare of the people or TO
the integrity of the nation.
The duty of the hour is to stand stead
fast in the defense of our ancient faith.
In this crisis there is stake more than
the possibility of temporary victory. The
honor and perpetuity of the democra tic
party are at stake.
political organization that is untrue 10
itself. its principles its history and tradi-
tions is disgraceful and dishonored
The existence of our great historical party
that has wthstood the assaults of every
foe is threatened by reason of the recre-
anry of many of its members.
That this party. we have known II,
may not die. let the faithful of years rally
round It's historic banner, reform its broken
lines. and. with abiding faith in the final
triumph of its principles. unite to restore.
the name democrat TO its former meaning
and proud distinction
To this end we request all democrats who
are opposed to the platform adopted and
candidates nominated at Chicago to organ
tZe in their several states and to send repre-
Sentatives to the convention of the national
democra tie narty, to he held a India napo-
lis. on Wednesday. September . 1896 IN
accordance with the call heretofore issued
10y tie national committee
w. -. BTNJM. Chairman
John r. WILSON Secretary.
G'tRLES TRACY,
!. NJ FALKNER
r NJ. CTTCHE,ON
ELLIS II. USHER,
s. II. HOLDING,
F. ". LEHMAN,
W. 3. HALnE,MAN.
i.,-. JOHN i. HOPKINS
Executive Committee of the National Dem
ocrat;C Party