Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-07-04
ANCIENT AND T1ME-HoNoRED PRIN-
GTPT.FS

C1PLES.
With the exception of Mr.. Carlsle's
vigorous and graphic portrayal of
the disastrous effects of gold in
1873, when he declared that de-
strueton of from three-sevenths
to one-half of our standard
money would be worse than war, pes
thence and famine" we do not recall a
stronger and more vivid presentation of
the unmitigated evils of the gold stand
ard (Which has become, by the declara-
ton of it's highest authority, doctrine
of the republican party than that made
by the free silver republicans of Mime
sofa in their manifesto published yes
terday morning. After quoting James G.
Blaine, the idol of and the ablest man in
the republican party, as declaring sever
al years before his death: II believe the
struggle now going on in this country
and in other countries for a single gold
standard would, if successful, produce
widespread disaster in and throughout
the commercial world" the document
proceeds as follows:
1.-THE action of the national republican
convention at st. Louis has repudiated
this fundamental doctrine of our party.
The single gold standard has been IN
dorsed. The republican party no longer
stands for both gold and silver as prl-
mary money, but for gold only. We can
not accept the new faith and we will
hold steadfastly to the old. The pohcy
of gold recommendation means prolonged
and intensified depression and endless
and hopeless era of falling prices Tor our
farmers and other producers; continued
uncertainty of employment for our work
ingmen, with 1essening wages, following
the fall in prices of the products OF labor;
encouragement of all enterprises ana IN
the end universal bankruptcy ana graVl-
tation of all money into the handS OF
money brokers'. 1t means the obltera-
ton of the great middle class, the yeo-
many of the nation, and the DIVISION
of the people into the very rich and the
very poor Those republicans who be-
lieve in the use of both gold and silver as
the money of ultimate payment ana
their free coinage in our minis eitner
must submit in silence or speak out poiu-
ly in condemnation of this policy, so dis.
astrous to the people. On matters OF
vital principle no man can reasonably pe
asked to submit to party sdlctation.
Every man who places country dpoNe
party and whose sympathles are Win
the producers as against the hhohey
brokers and bondholders owes DUTY TO
his conscience and to his country when
can only be discharged by putting iortn
every effort in his power that the pnght
of the single gold standard may not De
fastened upon this people"
The prophecy of Mr.. carlisle anu NIL
Blaine have been fulfilled and their Juos-
ment verified by the experiences Oh near
" a quarter of a century. In the hght
and under the teachings of these expert
ences the people of this country nave
risen up and demanded the relief that
comes only from a complete and hnal
overthrow of the most pernicious ana
damning monetary system that has ever
cursed mankind; and we find the patriots
of every section, the men who love their
fellowmen and their country, irrespec-
tive of past party ties and affiliations,
however strong these may have been,
joining, just as the Minnesota republic
cans have done, in the demand for the
defeat of the national republican party,
because they know 1t has become the
ally the agent, the tool of the plutocratic
classes, the combine. trusts and monopo-
lies, the money gamblers and bond
pirates, and the open foe of the people
who produce the wealth Of the nation
pay the taxes and bear the burdens of
government, and because they know
that no relief can ever come to the
masses from this party. They have re-
pudiated the doctrines to which the re-
publican party in its national convention
has irrevocably pledged it, because those
doctrines are inherently dishonest and
| unpatriotic and lrreconcilably antago-
| nistic to the welfare of the people, the
prosperity of the country and the per-
petuity of the republic.
| 1t Is fortunate that at this crisis the
| democratic party has gone back to it's
| ancient and time honored principles, and
| that its ranks afford a place of refuge to
all honest, liberty-loving men who place
country above party" where they can
aid, under common flag, in restoring to
the country and it's people the national
prosperity and glory which, under the
beneficence and mercy of Providence, is
it's inalienable heritage. With the aid of
such re-enforcements the principles of
true democracy must and will prevail,
and the cause of the people, the cause of
financial freedom and human liberty in
its broadcast and best sense will win sig
nal triumph in November.