The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1896-05-15
OUR PLATFORM.
Continued from First age }


free and unlimited coinage of both
gold ana silver, at the ratio of Is to
|, independent Of amy empire on the
face of the earth.
II would not ilfully advocate any
policy which would mislead the peO-
pie, or which would be detrimental
to my country, nor would | for a
moment doubt the sincerity and pa
triOtism of those who differ from me
upon vital issues, upon which the
people must pass Judgment at the
ballot boxes. In these distressing
times we must not deal in intoler-
ance and denunciation, but we must
reason with each other, and with
the people, and in the spirit of con-
servatism, for we are all one people
with common hopes and common
] destinies, and we are all striving to
reach the same goal of national hap
piness.
II am for the free and unlimited
coinage of silver because there is not
enough gold in the world TO have
such for standard, and therefore,
we cannot have sufficient volume of
money TO meet the demands of bust
ness and commerce and to give a
fair reward to labor. / am for the
free and unlimited coinage of silver
because | believe that the adherence
to the single gold standard will fast
en- upon the American people gold
interest bearing debt which never
can be paid. | believe that the re-
establishment of the double standard
of gold and silver at the old-fash-
Toned ratio of Is to is the necessity
of the hour. believe it would avert
bankruptcy and beggary, and pre-
vent actual suffering. 1 believe it
will prevent riots, and abolish and
smother the spread of anarchy, and
L believe it will result in "A glorious
period Of prosperity and happiness
throughout the length and breadth
of the country. Gold and silver are
the money of the Constitution, and
they are the money of the people.
Then, why should the twain be put
asunder? Together they tunnelled
mountains and built the cities of the
world, and they have bridged the
rivers and cabled the ocean. Down
through the centuries they have
walked hand in hand, converting
deserts into fruitful fields and aid.
ing in the enlightenment of the
world. (Applause.)
while | am well aware that it il
not within the province of the Gov
ernor or the Legislature of any State
to shape financial legislation or t.
coin money, |, as the standard.
bearer of the Democratic party OF
Tennessee-camot withhold from
the people my honest views upol
public questions which involve the
happiness and peace of the Who'll,
nation. (Applause.)
There are questions of Stat,
policy which propose to discus
,, fully before the people in the com
ing canvass. We must preserve til,
credit of the State by the promp
payment of the interest on its debt
We must equalize the taxes imposed
upon the people, and we must pro
: vide for the equal and just dstribu
l ton OF the revenues. We mus
strengthen and broaden our schoo
, system until it shall reach ever,
neighborhood, so that every child ii
the land may have the opportunit,
of enjoying the blessings of educa
: ton. (Applause.)
y The most serious problem tina
: confronts us is how we shall sustai
. the penitentiary of the State with
4 out increasing the burdens of taxa
! ton upon the people. Upon thi
= and all other important State pol
cles l will present my views whe
= the proper time shall have arrive
. for their fall and definite discussion
4 "Fellow-citizens, this nominatio
. comes to me from the people of m
beloved State, and by the grace {
n God, | will stand for the people.
n Continued applause.)
The convention then adjourne
4 sine die.