Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-09-12
FLY A SILVER FLAG
Big Demonstration in South
Rock Island.
DEMOCRATS TURN OUT EN- MAssE.

Z ,usinE Speeches by Able Orators Who
Define the Principles of the Party
Of the People whose Leader L. william
}. Bryan.
South Rock Island resounded with
democratic enthusiasm last night,
and today the stars and stripes bear
ing the names Of Bryan and Sewall
are waving in the breeze in the high
way between the residences of Philip
Ding-ldine and Ed Jens.
1t was q real old-fashioned rou sing
democratic demonstration. The
Bryan and Altgeld clubs. of this city,
accompanied by Bleuer's brass band
were in attendance. The Rock ISL
and delegation formed on Second
avenue in front of the Bryan club
headquarters where cars were taken to
Center station, where the march was
resumed to the scene of the demon
stration. Thomas Dougherty, presi-
dent Of the South Rock Island Bryan
CLUB, was chairman of the meeting
Farmers from far and near came and
there we're at least thousand voters
present. Charles Bufcrd. of this
city. was the first speaker. He re-
viewed briefly the history of the
democratic and republican parties
and contrasting their accomplish
ments illustrated in q convincing
manner that the party which Will
liam Jennings Bryan was leading in
the present campaign, was the one
that would bring prosperity and
happiness to the door of the common
people. MIR. Buford was enthu-
sisstically received. Lively selec-
tions by the band interspersed the
speeches.
Another Ringing Talk.
A ringing talk by William Nc.
Entry followed. He said in part:
both parties agree that bimetalli m
that is the free and unlimited coin
age Of both gold and silver-is the
proper thing for this government.
The only real difference between the
money planks of these parties is,
how and by what method we are to
remonetize silver end place it buck
where it was in 1873, side by side
with gold. The repu blican parry in
sists that the only proper way in
which to remonetize silver is to ob
tain the consent of the foreign ma.
tions; while the democratic party
maintains that the proper way to re.
monetize silver is to do it ourselves,
and pay no attention to the DISPOSE
ton of any other nation on earth.
For the first time in the history OF
American politics have we the spec
tacle of a political party going before
the American people and admitting
that certain legislation is for their
interests. but must not be had until
we have first obtained the consent of
foreign nations.
at has always been the policy O
this government to enact such laws
as it saw fit. without any regard for
any other government on earth
Three million people drove the Eng
fish lion from this government over
one hundred years ago. and from
that time until the republican party
met in st. Louis no party ever con-
sidcred that it was necessary to per-
nit the lion to return that we might
enact laws for ourselves.
| "In 1873 one-half the redemption
money of this country was stricken
down by the demonetizing of silver.
The republican party at this sine
as in power and was responsible
for the demonstration Of silver.
| Opponents' Howl.
"Our opponents delight to howl
and charge the democracy with be-
ing in favor Of an unsound dollar.
| here assert and challenge contra
diction. that the democratic party
has always been for sound money,
and never in the many years it has
had control Of this nation. has it
placed upon the statute books law
except for sound currency.
"Some OF our opponents say we can-
not remonetize silver and maintain
the parity Of the metals at a ratio of
Is to l. from the fact that the o.
put Of silver has increased 40
rapidly since 1873. 1t has incl els, d
but in 1873 silver was meas
ured in gold and today silver is
measured in gold. and if the output
OF gold, that which silver is mea.-
ured in. has increased as rapidly as
the output OF silver. the parity is
maintained, that is the increa. e out
d put of that in which silver is meas.
ured, namely, gold, is as great as
the increased output Of silver; hence
the cause of the decline Of silver
measured in gold is not due to the
increased output. but due to the de-
cline in the demand, which was
brought about by the decentralization
OF silver. The output OF silver since
1886 has increased s5 per cent. while
that of gold has been 80 per cent.
and since this is true. il the great
increase in the output Of silver has
occasioned this decrease. the great
output in gold should also cause it's
decrease. But we know by expert
ence that the purchasing power of
gold instead Of decreasing like silver
has it has increased. and will TODAY
buy more of the necessaries OF
life than IL would ever before"
Mr.. McEniry was frequently inter-