The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-10
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
DEMocRAcY's BLUNDER.
SEEKING PoPUEsr voTEs THROUGH DELUsIyE
MONEY PLANKs.

SEEKING PoPULIsr YoTEs THROUGH DELUsIyE
MONEY PLANKs-
To the Editor of the San francisco Cdlt-SIR:
Assuming the correctness of the telegr aphlc
reports OF the Democratic platform adopted at
Chicago to-day. in which the attempt IS
boldly made to construct a platform whlcn
will win Populist votes, desire to point out
the blunder thus made and suggest some OF
the consequences which viii follow as the re-
suit of that blunder.
The particular plank in the new Democratic
platform TO which wish 10 direct special at
tention at this time is thus reported by tele-
graph:
Congress alone has power to coin and
issue money, and President Jackson declared
that this power could not be delegated to cor
porstions or individuals. We therefore de-
nounce the issue OF notes as money by National
banks as in derogation of the constitution, and
we demand that all paper which is made legal
tender for public and private debts, or which
is receivable for dues 70 the United States,
shall be issued by the Government of the
United States and shall be redeemable in
coin."
The reference TO the National banks is weak
and perfunctory compared with the clean-cut
and decisive declaration on this point in the
plank as first adopted by the COMMITTEES. which
said simply: owe demand that the power 10
issue notes to circulate as money be taken from
the National banks, and that all paper money
ment landl be redeemable in coin and receiy-
able for all debts, public and private" The
dread power OF the NATIONAL banks (pTivate
banks, in fact, with a NATIONAL name) IS
sadly revealed in the change from revoking
their power to issue ''noteS'' to circulate as
money to merely 'denouncing" such issue.
Already the new Democracy has ignobly
yielded to the pressure of the bank power,
even before IL had adopted its platform. am
not much surprised, but l am mortified and
alarmed, for these ''silyer" Democrats are my
countFymen and they know the right, as we
have seen in their first declaration, demanding
that the power 10 issue notes now granted to
these banks shall be abrogated; but though
they know the right they dare not maintain ii.
This fatal and pitiable weakness, disclosed in
the yielding to bank influence, is notice to the
country that the Democracy is still ruled by
the fatality which always leads il to do the
wrong thing at the right time.
But why should the old historical s'haFd-
money" party take up and NEEDLE with the
question OF paper money ct this time of
trenzied devotion to silver? The need and the
hope OF obtaining Populist votes and of hold
ing back those who are ready to go over to the
Populists compelled the Democracy to ven
ture on making this radical departure in first
demanding" the revocation of the authority
uneonsttutionally granted to these falsely
called National" banks ana then in "de-
nouncing" them s'as in derogation of the
constitution" but ignominousiy failing to de-
mand the repeal Of that unconstitutional grant
OF power which they sonorously and preten-
themT Their empty denunciation simply
points TO the fact that they recognize gigar-
tic and overshadowing evil permitted to stand
and thrive under color OF law, but which they
dare not undertake 10 destroy by repeating
the iniquttous law which created and sus-
tains it.
such is Democracy in 1s96-that is. what is
LETT on 1t. As usual, it has committed a fatal
blunoer. At first in express terms, and then
py oetuslye lndlrecuon, 1t comedies the JUS
ice OF the Populist contention, heretofore o
much rtdiculed by both old parties that the
National banks are founded in a dangerous
grant OF power, which, under the consti tuition
can only be invoked by the National Govern.
ment, and that these banks have grown so
rich and powerful to control the Govern
ment In Its executive, legislative and judiciary
departments, as well as TO dictate the plat
forms and nominations of the dominant politi-
cal parties, control the news service and edi-
torial columns Of the great newspapers and
opinion.
Having conceded this contention of the Pom
ulsts, who from the first have proposed TO
destroy this gigantic evil, root and branch we
behold the Democracy too impotent 10 declare
with the Populists that this evil power must
be destroyed. but it is only denounced" Is
the Democratic party, with all its new zeal and
resounding professions, in a position to COM
nand the confidence OF the people in the pres
emit crisis and universal alarm I think NOT
The Nation will now look to the Populist and
silver conventions about to meet in ST. Louis
Tor such stand against the money and mon
opoly powers as will insure the overthrow of
these powers at the polls in November.
me democracy has unwittingly done good
service al the Chicago convention. 1t has con-
fessed that the Populists are right in their
night against the money power. and thus has
pointed 10 the open door of entrance TO the
Populist party where men of Courage and CON
viction may be found who will fight for their
rights and never lay down their arms till vic
tory IS won and the people are free
look Tor large accessions from the Democ-
raey TO the Peoples party. There are genuine
patriots in the ranks of the poor old party VINO
can IND no assurance that they will be able TO
save their country by voting the present Demo-
cratic ticket and they will now turn to the new
and dehantpar ofthe people with the certain
viii =
pointed, and that there is no danger now fbsst
they will lose their votes. More blind partL
sans, million or two perhaps, will vote for
in the coming election.
JOSEPH AsBURY JOHNSON.
San Francisco, July 8. 1896.
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