The Topeka state journal., 1897-02-24
And Parties Do Not Make Issues
Says the Address
Put Forth BY the Silver Repub-
lican Members of Congress.
A MEETING is CALLED
OF Silver Forces at Chicago On
June Sth
To Appoint a Committee and
Call a National Convention.

Washington, Feb. 24.-The following
address has been issued by the silver
senators and representatives as the re-
suit of meeting held at Senator Tel
ler's house for the Information of the
silver Republican party:
ITO the Silver Republicans of the Uni
ted States
There could not be better ilustra-
ton OF the great law by which in free
governments the rise, progress and de-
cline of parties are determined than
afforded by recent and present political
developments in the United States. Po-
Htical parties are practical instruments
for executing the will of the people in
respect to principles and policies Of
government. They, therefore, should
in its attitude toward the problems
which the experience of the nation from
time to time brings forward for selec-
tiGn. 1t is not parties that make issues,
but it is issues that makes parties.
For years events have been forcing
upon the country, with ever increasing
def1niteness and emphasis, the necessi-
ty 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 den1arcations, and today
to see that the genius of the nation is
approaching a settlement of this mo-
mentous controversy through the agen-
cy of political instruments now being
fashioned to it's 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-
victions ON certain principles of politi-
cal economy and government; but they
realized that those principles are not
capable of successful application under
present monetary conditions.
."They believe. therefore, that the ad-
equate treatment of all other subjects
must await correct decision of the DOM
inant one thus presented. In this spirit
they co-operated with the organized
forces of bimetallism in the last cam
paign. Every condition of patriotism
and expediency seems to counsel a con-
tinuance of that policy
"SilVer Republicans believe them
selves to be in harmony with the orig
inal spirit of the old Republican party
and they claim property in it's great
names and glorious conditions justified
by the splendid services and sanctified
by the sacred memories of the old party
embodied in the aspirations of the great
American people. That party was born
in answer to the cry for the champion
of liberty. It's early works were words
of comfort to the oppressed Its great
deeds by which it will hereafter live in
history were deeds of patriotism; it's
policies professed above all things to
hold dear the safety and welfare of the
American people as against the rest of
the world.
The silver Republicans can not for
get that history. They can not today
follow those who have usurped the do
minion of that party into shameless
abandonment of American interests and
tyranny of an alien money system.
They believe the duty of the hour de-
mands that they maintain their identi-
ty and perfect their organization. Cir
cumstances have sometimes in the past
thrust upon the undersigned RESPONSE
bilities on behalf of silver Republicans
which in the absence of organization we
have felt warranted in assuming. Re
Gently, moreover, we have been reeeiv-
ing vast number of inquiries from
various parts of the country upon the
question of party policy and requesting
us to give some definite direction there
to.
THE communications are gratifying
in sentiment and plan.
Responding to these earnest Sugges-
tions and at the same time expressing
our deliberate opinion, we urge upon the
silver Republicans of the United States
and upon all citizens of whatsoever pre-
ViOuS party association who are willing
| to cooperate with US in political ac-
| tiOn until the great monetary question
| is settled and settled right that immedi-
ate steps be taken to perfect Orga MIA
tions in the various states and territor-
les to the end that thereafter a national
| convention may be held for the purpose