The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-08

IOWA GOLD DEMOCRATS
HOLD A STATE CONVENTION AND
NOMINATE A TICKET.
Letter from President Cleveland
Speech by Judge French DenOunc-
ing Free-Silver Agitation.

National Democrats met in State conVen-
ton to-day and nominated a State ticket.
Judge Nathaniel French, of Davenport, was
made temporary chairman. When in his
address Grover Cleveland was referred to
in connection with the Pullman strike there
was the widest enthusiasm. The conven-
ton was also addressed by eX-Congressman
Frost, of ST. Louis.
Letters were read, addressed to Paul
Kersch Davenport, from Grover Cleveland
and Henry Watterson. kilograms in reply
were ordered sent to Messrs. Cleveland and
Watterson and to the Kentucky conven-
ton. The letter from Mr.. Cleveland is
dated Gray Gables, Buzzard's Bay, Mass,
June 30" 1t follows:
MY Dear Sir-My love of true Democracy
is so intense and my belief in the necessity
of its supremacy to the welfare of the
country is so clear that l cannot fail TO SYM
pathize with every effort to save the prin-
ciples of my party from threatened aban-
donment. 1 believe the very existence of
true Democracy is an agency of good to the
American people is in the hands of those
who are willing to be guided by the dec
laration of principles announced by the Ma
uonal Democratic party. 1t is a high mis-
sion to thus have in keeping the life and
usefulness of the party which has deserved
so well of our coCntrymen, and the impor-
tant considerations involved should surely
stimulate TO patriotic effort. The work be-
fore us rises above partisan triumphs and
its immediate rewards. The question is: Are
we doing our duty to our country and TO
worth the name can be reached except in
the path of principle. | hope the National
Democrats of Iowa will not fail to exhibit
to their fellows in every State the bright
light of true democracy
JUDGE FRENCH'S ADDRESS.
Judge French, in his address as tempo
rary chairman, said in part:
THE faith of the Democratic party in
the Individual in his right to personal lib
erty, in his ability to care for himself ana
the government has made it strong with
the people and won its greatest triumphs.
1t has at times wandered from the faith
and met deserved defeat but, though the
organization may have gone astray tenn
porarily, there always remained steadtast
a body of true Democrats guarding the
temple and ready to welcome back the err
ing brothers to the worship of the true
faith True Democrats were on guard at
Indianapolis-true Democrats are here on
THE best thing that can be said of pro-
lection is that it is not necessarily fatal.
The country has prospered and may again
in spite of protective tariffs. The free coin
age of silver at a false ratio to benefit the
mine owners is the twin sister of protec-
ton. Both were born of misconceptlon or
the duties of government; but are OIL
springs of paternaHsm and class legislation.
Free coinage is infinitely worse than pro-
lection only because of the direr conse-
quences it entails, the destruction of the
Nations honor and the peoples welfare.
For a time the Republican party invited
the silver-mine owners to join in the grab-
bing and gave them millions upon millions
through the Bland-Allison and Sherman
acts. Its only excuse for the panic brought
on the country by tbs vicious leglslatloh
is that some men calling themselves Dem
ocrats favored even worse laws. The panic
and the resulting hard times nave caused
the Republicans to shut out the mine own
ers from their game, but can we be sure
that the banishment is more than tempo
rary? 1t was only after a close contest at
St Louis that the Republican party de-
clared for honest money.
Honest money was the all-important
issue in the last campaign. speclal seS-
sion of Republican Congress mas oseI n
been in session for months. Has II acted
on the currency question? Has It MADE
certain to the people Of TINS country 3b yntnd apd
States will pay it's debts in dollars worth
100 cents? That the debts Of the people Will
be paid according to the gold standard on
which they were contracted and that peo-
pie may safely engage in business, Lending
and selling with full confidence that the
obligations received will not be discharged
in a deprecated currency? Have any of
these things been done by the Republican
party in redemption of its pledges? Or has
the whole session been spent IN playing
the old game of grab?
ITO what party can we safely look for
relief? Can any good come from the the dls-
cordant elements which met in Chicago
and, in the name of the Democratic party,
denounced the doctrines of Jefferson and
JaCkSOnI
tive only in teaching how free government
should not be carried on. We cannot look
for relief to men capable OF such an un-
paralleled mass of heresies neither can we
look for guidance to any convention which
indorseS such a platform.
SILVER AGITATORS,
''The real stock in trade of the free-silver
agitatorS is the hard times which he him.
self largely caused. The hope that some
change on the statute book may make
better times causes many men to vote for
any quack remedy proposed. Take away
from the agitator the calamity cry and his
occupation is gone. The country's misfor-
tune is his opportunity and its prosperity
will be his defeat. Every candid observer
has seen a substantial. though slow i'm
provement. since Bryans defeat. While
thousands of men made idle by the Chi
ca go convention have found employment
yet the hard times have forced a reduction
of wages and there are stilf many thou
sands unable to find work.
THE silver men say our money is too
good and too scarce. They would make ii
poorer and plentiful. The trouble, however,
is not due to scarcity of money, but scar
city of confidence. Silver has its proper
use in the minor transactions of commerce
and when maintained at q parity with
sold through Limitation of coinage and
other safeguards, serves as a useful tool
which no one would discard. The use of
silver with gold in this way furnishes the
only practical bimetallic currency. With
our financial standard made secure and a
safe and flexible system of banking estab-
lshed the people will do the rest. With
restored confidence. they will again show
their unequaled powers of production. The
present business will grow in volume, old
enterprises will grow in volume, new enter
prises will be undertaken. labor will be
employed and general prosperity restored
"One party. both by its traditions and
principles, is peculiarly adapted 70 the
work of reforming cur currency. 1t is the
old Democratic party. Last year ii saved
the people from disaster and the Nation
from dishonor The same battle is on
again and. like true soldiers. you have
answered the call Standing on the plat
form built by fearless patriots at Indian