The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-06-26
A PROTEST.
Document of the Silver Men Read
in the Convention.

in the Convention.
Senators Teller. Cannon and Others Enter
Their Objections to tho Republican
PIatform-The mexican Peo-
PIE Favor Bimetallism.
ST. LOUIS, June 1Q-After the adop-
ton o. the platform by the convention
Senior Teller asked that Senator
Cannon be allowed to read q personal
statement prepared by the silver men,
which was granted The statement
was as follows:9
To the Republican National Convention of
the United States: In announcing the purpose
asserted in this paper, it is due to ccnstit-
dents and to ourselves that there shall be q
Authorized expression Of national republican
faith from June g. 1890. until the present date
mas been the platform adopted in the national
convention at Minneapolis. Neither the utter
ances Of state conventions nor the attitude of
individuals could change the tenor of that
platform, or abate the activity Of its binding
force. Every delegate to this convention was
elected as its adherent and its advocate. True
one OF its most important paragraphs has been
subjected to such a divergence Of construction
% " ihdhC us ious uuSO uuSdtlSlGSIOEy ouEiuS
the intervening time. and dangerous IL con-
tinued in the future, but of the intention con-
tanned within that language there has never
beena doubt.
1t is the rightful province of this convention
to revise the party tenets and to announce
anew the party purpose The majority Of this
convention in the exercise of such authority
has this day made official annunciation OF re-
publican law and gospel With much Of the
platform we agree, believing that in many es-
sential particulars it compasses the needs OF
humanity, affirmS the maintenance OF right and
proposes the just remedy for wrong But it
declares one elemental principle not only in
direct o7ntravention of the expression of party
'sith IN 1892. but in radical opposition to our
solert conviction.
We recognize that IN all matters Of mere
method it is but just and helpful that the mi
nority shall yield to the will of the majority,
lest we have chaos in parties and in govern
ment But as no pronouncemelt by ajori-
ties can change opposing knowledge or belief
sincerely entertained, so it cannot oblige mi
norities to abandon or diSavow their princi-
pies. Assuredly, as it is requisite for peace
and progress that minorities shall yield to ma
jorities in matters OF mere method, just so
surely is it necessary for the same peace and
progress that minorities shall not yield in
matters of fundamental truth.
The republican platform of 1892 affirmed that
the American people from tradition and inter-
est'favored bimetallism and demanded the use
Of both gold and silver standard money.
This was accepted by us as declaration in be-
half Of the principle upon which rests the In
terest of every citizen and the safety OF the
United States. In such terms the platform
was then satisfactory to the believers in BIZ
metallism within our party. Only because Of
equivocal construction and evasion, has it
since been demonstrated to be insufficient
AS the declaration OF 1892 has been by a ma.
jority Of the party construed to justify single
gold standard for our monetary basis, and az
the recent trend of the official power of the
party has been in that direction, we can but
assume that the money plank Of the new plat
form being much more favorable to perpetuate
gold monometalliSm, will be determinedly used
in behalf Of that idea. The republican party
has won its power and renown by pursuing its
purposes courageously and relentlessly. 1t is
therefore only in accordance with the partys
history to assume that II it shall come to
present authority in the United States it will
crystalline into law and administration under
this tempting platform the perpetual single
gold standard in our finances This, If long
continued, will mean the absolute ruin Of the
producers of the country and finally of the ma
tion itself
The American people not only favor bimetal-
lism from tradition and interest, but from that
wise instinct which has always been manifest
in the affairs of people destined for the
worlds leadership. Under the operation of
our great demand for advancement have
DtCOluc 10 OLutT uutlOUS Inc greatest QGDtOT
nation of the world. We pay the vast charges
which every year accumulate against US in the
clearing house of the world with the money OF
the world, procured by the disposal of our COM
modities in the markets of the world. We are
a nation of producers. Our creditors are ma
lions of consumers Any system of information
al or national finance which elevates the price
of human product makes our burden lighter
and gives promise of that day when it shall be
entirely left and our country freed financially.
as it is politically, from the domination
of monarchy and foreign autocracy. Any
system Of finance which tends to depre-
ciate the price OF human productions which we
must sell abroad but in so far adds to the bur-
den of our debt. and conveys threat of the
perpetual servitude of the producers Of our
de btor nation to the consumers Of creditor ma
lions. To us it is q folly without parallel that
this country. any political party therein,
should deliberately accept money system
which enricheS others at our expense.
History, philos ophy, morals, all join with
the commonest instinct Of self-preservation in
demanding that the United States shall have
a just and substantially unvarying standard
composed Of oil available gold and silver and
with it our country will progress to financial
Acknowledgement But with single gold
standard the country will go TO worse de-
struction; to continued falling prices, until our
people would become the hewerS Of wood and
drawers Of water for the consumers in creditor
nations of the earth.
To such an unholy end we will not lend our
selves. Dear as has been the repu bile an name
to its adherentS, that name is not dear as
the faith ITSELF And We do not sacrifice one
jot or little of the mighty prin CT Piles by which
republicanism has uplifted the world when
say that at the parting of the ways, We cling to
the faith let the name go where it will We
hold that this convention has seeded from the
truth: that the triumph of such secession
would be the eventual destruction OF our free
dom and our civilization. To that end the peo-
pie will not knowingly follow any political
party; and we choose to take our place IN the
ranks Of the great mass of citizens who realize
that the hour has come for justice.
Did We deem this issue less important to hui
mainly, We would yield since the associations
of all our political lives have been intertwined
With the men and the measures Of this party
OF past mighty achievements. But the people
cry aloud for relief: they are bending beneath
q burden growing heavier with the passing
hours endeavor no longer brings its just
ward fearfulneSs takes the place of courage
and despair uSurpS the throne of hope and un-
less the laws of this country and the policies
Of political parties shall be converted into me-
diums Of redress, the effect Of human despera-
tioE may sometime be witnessed here as in
other lands and in other ages.
Accepting the fat OF this convention as the
present purpose of the party, we withdraw
from this convention TO return to our constitu-
entS the authority with which they investei
US, believing we have better discharged thei
trust by this action which restores to them
authority unsullied. than by giving cowardly
and fnsincere Endorsement to the greatest
wrong ever willfully attempted within the
publican party-once redeemer of the people,
bet now about to become their oppressor, un-