New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-14
cuEEHAN WON'T STAND 1T.
- TIE NEw-YORK DEMOCRATS INDORSE
FREE SILVER HE WILL RESIGN.

~r,. NOT SERVE LONGER AS THEIR REPRE-
SENTATIVE OF THE NATIONAL COMMIT
1rE-rHE EN- X-LIEUTENANT- GOVERNORS
VIEWS OF THE CHICAGO PLATFORM.
rvIleutenant- Governor William f. Sheehan
.,sterday made public letter written to one
:, his former constituents Of Buffalo. in which
:, saws that II the Democratic State Conven-
,,0r which meets on Wednesday in that city
hall reverse the declaration Of the Saratoga
nsrocratic Convention in June in favor Of
.mnd money and shall indorse the Chicago
,,atform or It's nominees. he will Immediately
rsssn his place member of the Democratic
National Committee fer the State Of New-York
Mr. Sheehan. In giving his reasons for this de-
,.r,nination scathingly reviews the action OF the
chicago Convention. and shows that II is not
hndng upon loyal Democrats; that the Chicago
,atform advocates a course of dishonesty and
rsnudiation which all honorable and patriotic
men must conden. n, ana that the adoption Of
tho scheme for the unlimited coinage Of silver
,nust result in unexampled disaster TO American
industry and trade.
Mr. .Sheshans letter although 1t does not say
that he will support the Indianapolis ticket. is
Generally interpreted to mean that he will join
,he ranks of the Sound Money Democracy and
enter the canvass for Palmer and Buckner.
MR. SHEEHAN'S LETTER.
The communication is as follows:
New-York September y. 1896.
,,ssph B. Mayer. esq. Buffalo. y. Y.
Dear Sir: Replying to your recent letter of in
oulry as to my attitude IN the present campaign,
beg leave say:
The proceedings of the recent Chicago Conven-
,lon we're unparalleled I'm Democratic history. Rad
icallsm. and not patriotism. dominated its course
The guiding and in a large measure the controlling
spirits OF that body Republican United States
senaors-men whose votes made it possible to en-
graft upon the statutes OF this country the ohjec
tlonable and disastrous Mckinley law. When be-
fore we're rock-ribbed Republican protectionists
given In q Democratic convention seats of honor
and permitted 10 dictate and shape the policy OF
our party? The patriotic advice of men who had
grown gray in Democratic service was spurned
and the Judgment of these newfound apostles OF an
undemocratic creed was enthusiastically accepted
Its arst official act in refusing TO allow the Ma
tonal Committee TO exercise without reversal the
functions heretofore uninterruptedly conferred
upon them Of selecting temporary chairman. was
re, olutionary act from which conservative Demo-
Gratis might well have held aloof
It's next step was more revolutionary sun. "hen
the sovereign State Of Michigan was invaded ana
her rch; to cast her votes in accordance with the
wishes OF her people denied FOR the purpose OF CIV
ing these IN control Of the convention two-thlrds
Condemning without warrant the Executive
Of the country for an alleged violation OF the doc
urine OF state rights in sending Federal troops into
the State Of Illinois TO protect interstate commerce
and United States mails. they themselves, ruin
lessly trampcd the doctrine under foot and estab-
lshed precedent that sooner or later VIII return
10 torture those responsible for ii.
A POPULIsT PLATFORM
Mex. platform was adopted under the guise of
Democracy from which all thoughtful Democrats
nould recoil There never has been moment since
rs adoption that could support II. except by
los Of my own self-respect. What Is This pat
form? There H. not d line in 1t that is Democratic
that is not good There Is not word IN 1t that Is
bad, and therefore undemocratic that has not been
stolen or taken from the Populist platform. Bad
as Republicanism is subversve as it has generally
kin ~ ssoci,lisrn Ne should examine our past
platforms in connection with the teachings OF the
founders and statesmen Of our party TO ascertain
what is the test OF party faith Democratic prn-
are as sound and lofty to-day as they were when
first cvpounded by Jefferson All Democrats should
gi,e their hearty support to candidates who stand
upon a platform which reaiiirms and upholds these
rucipes. But when these principles are aban-
with National honor ana National progress are
edopted. 90 we not cease 10 be Democrats II we
fai 20 repudiate that which Is unpatrotc ana I'M
When WAS It ever a tenet Of Democracy that by
the fat Of Government 81 cents worth Of silver
should be made equal TO 100 cents Of gold in
payment Of public and private debts? What Demo
cratic Convention has failed in recent years 10 just
ly condemn Republican paternalism? Where Is
there more wicked form Of paternalsm than for
rnjne-owner g cents worth of silver bullion
as IN coin? Where Is Democracy in propo-
be coined at our mints free OF charge ratio far
beyond its intrinsic commercial value, and com
pes citizens to accept this false and dishonest
coin a its face value in extingushment of their
debts and I'm payment for their labor? The advo-
Gates OF this platform hazard everything on the
single proposition that the enactment OF law for
the free coinage Of silver at the ratio OF l6 to l.
without the aid assistance Of other nations VIII
bring gold and silver to a parity, but Mnat WoulG1
be the result to American labor INDUSTRY ana
trade II the enactment Of this law should not have
metals II might also he interesting TO ascertain
what Is the standard OF Wages IN MfTco EXEC n@
and the other staenant nations where lree colndse
obtains We consider our SILVER uoiiai to-od! az
good gold because II has PACK OF II ine creGis q
parity with gold Under free coinage this credit
and faith will be withdrawn from the new coin
The Government will have no interest," III OF Iespon. .
slblity for It, These propose. however. that
the power OF Congress shall be exercised to com
pc citizens to accept in payment OF thelr uepts
a dollar that Is ntrinsically worth but % cents
without being able to compel corresponding r.ned
10 the American debtors when foreign credltorS
demand Of them payment in gold How long VIII
the hum Of industry continue. no" IONS VIII thc
workshop remain open. how long VIII the manu-
facturer continue to turn out the product OF Amer
lean genius and skill If we nave no loreisn uaue @
selves? We received for the year ending June 80
last for goods exported from this country to other
nations ss3 200 4s7 This enormous sum OF money
represents American capital. product. labor. IN
our dealings with all people We should receive ana
pay the best money of the world No law has yet
been able 10 make all men honest; but no Ia"
should compel men 10 be dishonest
THE HONOR OF THE NATION.
But more sacred to every citizen than the ho"o'
snd business interests OF individuals Is the hohor
VI 'he Nation itself. The United States is oeD'oi
oy Virtue Of the bonds 1t has issued II Tor these
oohos gold was paid. justice. morals ana Na'ioh"i
honor all cry out for redemption. principal and IN
'erest in the same coin. But it is claimed that Oh
'he face Of these bonds the Government IS given
me legal right TO redeem them In coin ana thereio
may redeem IN silver coin. question OF it ihoiaI'
ror the $50D)0OOO Of Government bonds now Vut- y