Evening star., 1897-02-23
T0CSIN OF SILVE
White-Metal Republicans Issue an
Appeal to Their Followers.
LINING UP FOR ANOTHER CAMPAIGN
Signed by the Senators Who Bolt
ed at St. Louis.
THE FIN NANCIAL ISSU E

The silver republicans of the House and
Senate have held conference and taken
the preliminary steps toward national or
ganization Representative Towne Of Min
nesota was selected chairman of the pro-
visional national committee and arrange
ments were made for the appointment Of
members of the committee to meet in Chi
cago on the Sth of June. The following ad-
dress defining their position was adopted:
ITO the silver republicans Of the United
States:
There could not be better illustration
OF the great law by which in free gov
ernment the rise. progress and decline of
parties are determined, than that afforded
by recent and present political develop
ments in the United States. Political par
ties are practical instruments for execut-
ing the will of the people in respect to
principles and policies of government.
They. therefore. should represent and
respond to public opinion in its attitude
toward the problems which tho experience
OF the nation from time to time brings
forward for solution. 1t is not parties that
make issues. but 1t is issues that make
parties.
Approaching Settlement.
For years events have been forcing
upon the country, with ever-increasing
definiteness ard emphasis, the necessity of
reform in our monetary system as respects
both the coinage of the metallic money
and the regulation and control of credit
currency. Under stress of experience and
consequent investigation, opinions have
been gradually crystalizing. In this pro-
cess the line of cleaveage has paid little
regard to previously existing party demar-
cations; and today the most careless OBJ
M nj inc
OF the nation Is approaching settlement
OF this momentous controversy through the
agency of political instruments now be-
ing fashioned to it's hand.
In the story of these formative events
the .o-called silver republicans have taken
an important part and discharged a neces-
sary function. In doing SO they have not
surrendered their conviction on certain
other great principles Of political economy
and government: but they realize that
these principles are not capable Of success
full application under the present monetary
conditions They believe, therefore, that
must await the correct decision of the DOM
inant one thus presented. In this spirit
they co-operated with the organized forces
Of bimetallism in the last campaign. Every
seems to counsel q continuation of that
policy.
Republican History.
"Silver republicans believe themselves to
be in harmony with the original spirit OF
the old republican party, and they claim
property in its great names and glorious
traditions. justified by the splendid services
and sanctified by the sacred memories of
the time when that party embodied the s.
pirations and spoke the purposes of the
great masses OF the American people That
party was born in answer to the cry for
champion Of liberty. Its early words were
words OF comfort and assurance to the
oppressed. Its great deeds by which it
VIII hereafter live in history. were deeds
all things to hold dear the saf fety and well
fare of the American people as against the
rest of the world
The silver republicans cannot forget
mat history. They cannot today follow
those who have usurped the dominion OF
that party into a asshameless abandonment
OF American interests and the tyranny Of
an alien money system. They believe
they maintain their identity and perfect
their organization.
Circumstances have sometimes in the
past thrust upon the undersigned RESPONSE
Dihties on behalf of silver republicans
which, in the absence of formal organiza-
ton, we have felt warranted in assuming.
Recently, however, we have received
vast number of anxious inquiries from
various parts OF the country upon the Ques-
tion OF party policy and requesting us to
give some definite direction thereto. These
communications exhibit a surprising and
gratifying unanimity In sentiment and
plan.
Appeal to Silver Republican,.
Responding to these earnest suggestions,
and at the same time expressing our own
deliberate opinion. we urge upon the silver
republicans of the United States, and upon
all citizens of whatsoever previous party
association, who are willing to cooperate
vyff n1 m he
monetary issue Is settled, and settled right,
that immediate steps be taken to perfect
organizations in the various states and ter
ritories to the end that thereafter a ma
tional convention may be held for the pur-
pose Of making an authoritative pronounce
ment to the country and effecting a ma
tional organization.
AS soon as possible each of the states and
territories should designate member of
the provisional national committee of the
silver republican party, which committee
will have charge Of the calling of the ma
tional convention and of all matters pre-
liminary thereto. Meantime we have taken
the liberty Of naming Mr.. Charles A.
Towne OF Minnesota as chairman Of said
provisional national committee, whose OFF,
cial address for the present will be the city
Of Washington. and to whom all communi-
cations should be sent The provisional ma
tional committee IL hereby called to meet
in executive session at the city Of Chicago,
at a place to be seasonably announced by
the chairman on Tuesday. the Sth day Of
June, 1897
Signed at the city of Washington this
22d day OF February, 1897. the anniversary
Of the birth Of the First American"
whose life was a sublime example Of pa
trfotism. and whose precept, placing duty
to country above and beyond all party obli-
cation, is a deathless watchword Of po-
litical liberty.
Csigned) H. M. Teller, Fred T. Dubois,
Frank ]. Cannon, r. F. Pettigrew, Lee
Mantle, John p. Jones, Charles A. Towne.
Charles 8. Hartman, John F. Shafroth,
c. E. Allen.
PACIFIC RAILROAD COMMISSION.