Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-04-20
GOV. STONES LETTER.
Discusses the Democratic Party's Position
ON the Coinage Question.


ON the Coinage Question.
Jefferson City, Mo-, April 12.-Upon
MIR. Bryan's arrival here he received
a letter from former Gov. William j.
Stone. The letter was handed to Mr..
Bryan by Secretary of State Lesueur-
As it is more of a public than private
nature, it is printed in full:
st. Louis, April 10, 1S99-Hon. William
J. Bryan. Jefferson City, Mo-: Dear Mr.
Bryant regret that pressing business
ensa gements will make it impracticable
for me to meet you at jefferson City and
listen to your speech there tomorrow.
1 presume, from press reports, that
when you leave Jefferson City you will
pass through here on your way east. If
you can make it convenient to stop on
for a day ard visit your friends in st.
Louis. will be glad to see you. / ex-
Topeka, but circumstances made 1t prac-
place.
l had supposed after the Chicago con-
vention of 1895 that the position of the
democratic party on the coinage question
was definitely and finally settled, but it
begins now to look as IL we are to have
the old fight over again The prospect
for this increases from day to day. That
the gold democrats, so-called, are ma
turing a purpose to get control of the
next convention becomes daily more and
more manifest. There is but one thing
for those who supported your candidacy
IN 1896 to do, and that is to meet the issue
bravely and resolutely if it is made L
democrat, or deny any man the fullest
liberty in affiiating and cooperating
with the democratic party. On the con-
trary: 1t is our desire to have every
American citizen who believes in the
policy of the democratic party, or who
feels that the accession or that party to
power would ameliorate the industrial
conditions of the country and benefit the
people, to associate himself with the DEM
n in i.,.r sss,
success. But the democratic party must
stand for democratic principles and poll
ccratic; it can not be anything else and
deserve to dive. The party has always
been in favor of bimetallism
There was nothing new in the deciara-
ton OF 1896. 1t is true that fixed ratio
Of coinage was never distinctly proposed
in l. national platform prior to 1896, but
the party had in convention, in congress-
through the press, and in every possible
way declared itself in FAVOR OF restoring
xicus to the attack made upon it in 1873.
Up to 1892 there was never any doubt
what we meant when we talked of restor-
ins bimetallism; We knew 1t meant re-
storatlon of the old ratio. The parity
clause in the platform of 1892, which is a
correct proposition when properly inter-
preted and understood, was made the
basis of a controversy within the party
as to the ratio That controversy made
in 1895.
The gold standard men in the conven-
tlpii Vi 1890 anu lhoSo represented, Were
opposed to the coinage of silver into
standard money at any ratio. Under the
leadership of Mr.. cleveland, Mr.. Carlisle
il, 'he convention of 1896, and when tir.-
were defeated they practically witll~ey-
CHi the convention, at least refused fur
Their to participate in it's proceedings and
subsequently assembled another conren-
ton at Indianapolis, where they aduptAd
pie. These gentlemen and their followers
voted Tor Mr.. Mckinley or Gen. Palmer,
and did everything in their power to de-
feat the democratic party They went
SO far as to organize an entirely separate
distinct and independent party, with ma
tiunal committee, state committees and
with national and state tickets. Now.
these gentlemen are giving it forth thar
they intend to make an effort to take con-
vention, set aside the Chicago platform
and substitute another, presumably along
on which Palmer and Buckner were nom
mated.
To this azn not only unalterably opposed.
but stand ready to fight the old battle
over again If necessary. AS stated be-
fore have no objection to any man who
,,,rtt agast US IN 1890 returning to the
ready to welcome every sincere man who
comes to aid in building up, not to ted.
down; but IL any shall come with the in
tention or purpose of attacking our party
or organization, or of setting aside our party
PRINCIPLES, | shall oppose them to the ut
supported Mckinley or Palmer in 1896
who went even farther than the republi-
can party dared to go in favor
of a gold standard or values-and who
did everything in their power to defeat
and destroy the democratic party, should
now come to the front TO take control OF
our party organization make our plat
forms, and nominate our candidates If
they come In that guise we should well
come them as enemies, not as friends. IL
any changes, whether in the form of mod
lfIcations of additions, are to be made to
the platform, they should be made by the
men who supported our national ticket in
1896, and not by those who are responsible
for our defeat and make boast of their
l think the time has come
when this should be clearly understood.
Very respectfully. VIM. G. STONE