The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-07-09
Address Of the Republican Committee Il
Indiana Republican BimetalIists.
INDIANAPOLIS, IND, July /, 1897.
Republican Bimetallists of Ind. -


INDIANAPOLIS. IND, July l, 1897
Republican Bimetallists of Ind. -
In response TO a call there assem-
bled in Chicago on the Sth day OF
June, last, large number Of repre-
sentative Republican Bimetallists.
The meeting was necessity, and
thirty-two states responded to the
call. The action OF the last Nation
al Convention of the Republican
party, and the policy Of that party
uEder the influences that have since
controlled it have made it impossible
for any bimetallist to remain in its
ranks or support its candidates. By
the platform of 1896, the party has
been committed to new and dan
gerous doctrine never before held by
it or by any other party in this
country. Many of its members re-
fuse to assent to this new doctrine,
that is not Republican but is un-
American in all of its tendencies
and full of danger to our institutions.
Measured, however, by the history,
the purposes and the platforms Of
the party, by the sentiments of its
greatest and purest leaders from
1857 to 1892, they are still Republi-
cans. Taught by history, they rec
ognize in the falling prices Of all our
productions and of our property, in
labor unemployed, in individual
want, in business depression and
our decaying industries the natural
economic results of the abandon
ment of bimetallism and the substi-
tuition for it of the gold standard as
a national policy. They regard as
of paramount importance, outweigh
ing every other political considera-
ton or question, the restoration Of
true bimettal.ism, when every ounce
of silver shall have, as it had prior
to 1873, free access to our mints,
the same as gold; when every coin
shall, by law, be clothed with the
full money quality and, like gold,
be receivable for all debts, public
and private, at the option Of the
debtor.
In response to a widely expressed
desire to do something to bring
about this result, the meeting was
called, and the response was graft
flying and encouraging. The pur-
pose of the meeting was to consider
the propriety Of organizing into one
body all those who have hitherto
acted with the Republican party,
and who have been proud Of its past
great purposes, but who now refuse
10 remain with it longer, when to do
so is to become party to the be-
lrayal oftheir country into the hands
1f organized selfishness, symbolized
by the gold standard. There was
no difference in opinion in regard to
he advisability of such an organiza-
ion. While it was determined to
separate organization of
hose who had been accustomed to
work together and who have touched I
elbows in many contest, it was
he hope and confident expectation
hat all who join in this organization
will be ready at all times to lay aside
Ill minor differences and be willing|i
when the cause can be advanced by
20 doing, cooperate with any other
POLITICAL organization that shall
march under the bimetallic Standard
md have for its battle-cry, "Hu-
nanity first, property afterwardsr"I
A National organization was ef-
ected, and Hon. Chas. A. Towne,
veil known 10 the people Of this
ountry, was chosen chairman. Al
eady, there is some organization in
ONE of the states. In many, it is
ar advanced. In Indiana, our or
,anization must be perfected and
xtended. The number of Republi-
an bimetallists ip the state is great
nd is increasing every day. They
an be dep nded upon to do their
ull duty when they see clearly what
is. To me, has been assigned, (
responsibility in the
accomplishment of the work in the
tate. | ask the earnest co-opera-,
ion OF every friend Of the cause l.
nd | believe / shall receive it.
For the present, the plan Of or
is State committee oil
ne member from each Congression-
! district, with the member of the /
Committee for State chair.
nan; Congressional committee Of
ne member from each county, with
he member Of the State committed
rom the Cong ressional district az
hartman; County committee OILY
ne member from each township
nd city ward, with the member Oh
he Congressional Committee FROM
be county rs chairman; a Town.
hip or Ward Committee of one