The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-24

II is announced that the address is Is.
Sued In response TO numerous inquiries
requesting information regarding party
policy. II Is signed hy Senator'S Teller
Eubois, Cannon. Pettigrew, Mantle and
Jones. and Representatives Towne
Hartman, Shafroth. Allen OF Utah and
Wilson of Idaho. .
The address is as follows:
To the Silver Republicans of the United
States.
There could not be better illustration
OF the great law by which. In free gov
ernments. the rise, progress and>de
cline OF parties are determined than that
anorded by recent and present political
Developments In the United states.
Political parties are practical instru-
ments for executing the will OF the ppo-
pie in respect to principles and policies
OF government. They, therefore, should
represent and respond to public opinion
in its attitude toward the problems
which the experience Of the nation from
time TO time brings forward for solu-
ton. 1t is not parties that make is
sues, but IL Is issues that make parties.
For years events have been forcing
upon the country, with ever-increasins
defniteness and emphasis, the neces.
sity of reform in our monetary system,
as respects both the coinage of metallic
money and the regulation and control
OF credit currency. Under stress of ex-
perience and consequent investigation,
opinions have been gradually crystal
lizing. In this process the line of cleav.
age has paid little regard to previously
existing party demarcations, and today
the most careless observer cannot fail
TO see that the genius of the nation is
approaching settlement OF this mo-
mentouS controversy through the
agency OF political instruments now be-
Ing fashioned 10 its hand.
In the history OF these formative
events the so-called silver Republicans
have taken an important part, and dis
charged a necessary function. In doing
so. they have not surrendered their con-
-Yictions on certain other great princi-
Piles OF political economy and govern
ment. but they realize that those prin-
ciples are not capable OF successful ap.
plication under present monetary con-
ditlons.
They believe. therefore that the ade.
quate treatment of all other issues must
await the correct decision OF the domi.
nant one thus presented. In this spirit
they co-operated with the organized
forces of bimotallism I'm the last cam.
paign. Every consideration of patriot.
ism and eXpediency seems TO counsel a
continuance Of that policy.
silver Republicans believe themselves
to be IN harmonv with the original
spirit Of the old Republican party. and
they claim a property in It's great name
and glorious traditions, justified by the
splendid services and sanctined by The
sacred memories OF the time when that
party embodied the aspirations an6
spoke the purposes OF the great masses
OF the American people. This party
was born In answer 90 the cry for
champion OF liberty. It's early word,
were words OF comfort and assurance
TO the oppressed. Its great deeds. by
which II will hereafter live in history
were deeds OF patriotism: It's policies
profcssed above all things 10 hold dear
the safety and welfare of the American
people as against the rest OF the world
The silver Republicans cannot forge,
that history. They cannot today follow
those who have usurped the dominion
OF that party into a shameless abandon.
ment OF American interests and the tyr.
amy OF an alien money system. TheJ
believe that the duty OF the hour de.
mands that they maintain their identi
~ and perfect their organization.
Circumstances have sometimes I'm IN,
past thrust unon the undersigned re.
sponsibllities on behalf OF silver Re.
rublicans. which. In the absence OF for.
NAL organization. we have felt warrant.
ed IN assuming Recently. moreover w,
have been receiving vast number q
anxious inquiries from various parts n.
the country upon the question Of part,
policy and requesting US TO give som,
oenuIte diltCtiyn eIcto.
These communications exhibit n sur
prising and gratifying unanimity n
sentiment and plan.