The San Francisco call., 1896-07-09
SILVER REPUBLICANS.

We have received from various parts OF
the State letters from silver Republicans
asking how they can support the st.
! Louis ticket and platform without being
adverse to the great cause of bimetallism
and free silver. These letters attesti in every
| line the earnestness which marks the
character of the true patriot who desires
to vote right, and they are. therefore, de-
serving the attention of the public gen.
orally.
Those who are in doubt on this issue
have not read the st. Louis platform
clearly, nor do they understand existing
conditions rightly. The st. Louis platform
does not declare for the gold standard.
On the contrary. it pledges the party and
its candidate for the Presidency to pro-
mote international bimetallism. This
declaration is certainly not adverse to the
| movement toward the free coinage of
silver. AS a matter of fact some OF the
most earnest advocates of silver have long
advocated just such a course, and all free
silver men can consistently support it as a
first step toward the accomplishment of
what they SO much desire
The issue becomes better unders TODD,
however, when we consider it IN relation
to the whole situation. A vote against
the st. Louis ticket and platform would be
vote against not only bimetallism by in
ternational agreement but against the
protective tariu system and American in
dustry. 1t would be a vote against the
party of efficient government in favor OF
the party of bungling and mlsgoyern-
ment. 1t would be to turn away from the
soldier candidate Mckinley and all that
his heroic record in war and peace repre-
sents, to ally ones self with the crowd
ruled by the anarchist Altgeld of Chicago,
or the ignorant and sectional Tilman OF
South Carolina.
If we turn from the Nation at large to
this State we shall see abundant reasons
why all intelligent and conservative busi-
ness men and workingmen should remain
true to the Republican party and give an
earnest support to the st. Louis ticket.
In California the silver question is not an
issue. All parties are pledged to it. Re-
publicans, Democrats, Populists and Pro-
hibitionists are agreed on that issue.
Every candidate for Congress from this
State, no matter on what ticket he runs,
will be favorable to free coinage. The di-
viding issues with us are those of protec.
tion against free trade ana of capable men
against incompetency and bungling. The
Democratic administration failed as much
from weak men as from bad measures.
The party could not act together on any
subject, and the result was fissco in
every branch of the Government and in
every administrative department..
The first issue before us is the restora-
ton of prosperity, the revival of industry,
the employment of idle men and the re-
establishment at Washington of Govern
ment capable of dealing with great ques-
tions in q statesmanlike way. When we
have provided work for the people, en-
acted tariff that will yield revenue to
the Government, turned the balance OF
trade in our favor and have at the Ma
tional capital body of able, resolute and
united men to manage the affairs of the
Republic, we will be in a position from
| which we can go forward to bimetaIlism
without danger to our finances or disturb
ance 10 our industries, and it is to that
end therefore that all true bimetallists
should work during the campaign and
vote on election day.