Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1897-05-26
BIMETALLISM,
Is a Solid Basis of Union.
Silver Republican Who Wants a
Party of Patriots,

lows:
Can union of the reform forces be
effected in this state? If not, why
not? If so.called reformers are all
sincere, and in earnest, there is no
reason under the sun why they cannot
unite upon some common ground, for
the common good. A union of all the
forces of reform, including all Inde-
pendent Bimetallists, is absolutely
necessary if success at the polls in the
coming elections is desired. 1t will
be the height of folly for these forces
to enter the fight under several differ
ent names, each having separate
ticket in the tield'without a shadow of
a chance to win. If any large per-
centage of the Populist party follow
the declarations of the Populist state
central committee as enunciated by
resolution at the Portland meeting a
short time since, then the
attempt to accomplish any re-
form legislation through the union
is honestly doubted. But when they
as a party declare that they will
have no more of reform unless it be
more under the banner and through
the ranks of the Populist party, then
something has surely gone wrong
with that great young party. No
other construction can be placed upon
their action as declared by the state
central committee, through resolu-
tiOn. 1t must be understood that
there are thousands of Free Silver
Repu blicans, who in times past and
from the very first formation of the
Republican party, fought hard and
honestly to make the record Of that
party in the past great, grand and
respected throughout this land. Men
who had the pride of that old party
born deep in their hearts. Men who
were sincere, honest and patriotic.
Men who stuck to the old party for
many years, waiting, hoping and
praying that that party would face
that great silver question, as it faced
the great slave question, openly, hon
estly and herolcally and settle it
honestly and for all time, by
giving back to the people
the money of the constitution.
Thereby saving their honor and glory
Of that act to the credit of that party;
but, when that party in convention
assembled, declared unequivocally for
the single gold standard. What did
the Tellers, the DuboiseS, the Canons,
the Towns, the leaders of the silver
forces in that duty do? Their actions
need no explanation at my hands.
Think you gentleman, that action of
theirs was taken without many men
tai pang, without sorrowing hearts.
Theirs was the act of true patriots.
Let US have complete union.
Let US have party Of patriots willing
not only to sacrifice all personal ambi-
tiOn if necessary, for the common good,
but partisan spirit also. To attempt to
change the Issue or load it down with
too many riders in the way of plat
form planks, will cause a scattering of
the forces. All honest Free Silver
Republicans and sthere are hundreds
of thousands Of them, are for inde-
pendent free coinage of gold and silver
and for paper currency issued by
the government direct to the'people
without the intervention of banks;
so also we may unite upon the prin'
cipal of the initiatiye and referen-
dunn. There is variety of opinions.
Some are fully in favor of the whole
principle, others are in favor of the
referendum without the authority to
Initiate legislation. Others are in
favor of referring to the peoplel only
such enactments of law as carry with
them an appropriation of public
funds.
Rigid economy, cutting off most of
The present commissions and placing
all officers upon stated salaries,