Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-11-02
In 1896 the silver republicans seconded

In 1896 the silver republicans seconded
to bring about a recognition of the white
metal. in the belief that the work in that
direction was honestly undertaken and
would inure to the interests of our state
enough to understand that While they
made a conscientious fight for the free
coinage cause, the democratic leaders,
both national and local. We're using that
campaign. Taken up as a slogan by the
democracy, because nothing else in the
shape of a winning card was available
in 1896. free coinage is just as cheerfully
~relesated to the rear when a political
eNigency seems to make that course a
desirable one,
1t was apparent in 1896, as it was in
1898, that the silver cause could
maintain itself only as a paramount
issue pom which all it's advocates
and friends could unite. In 1898 the
so-called silver democrats took the
first steps necessary to place silver
in the background and make room for
some other paramount issue-it mattered
little what that issue might be. provided it
led to the reunion of the eastern and west
ern wings of the party. That step has
been followed by others, until to-day
the humiliating spectacle is witnessed
of a practical abandonment of the es-
democrats who We're most prominent in
its advocacy in 1896.
In the face of this record the duty of
silver republicans is plain. Having
treacherously abandoned the pledge of
1896 to make free coinage the
issue of each and every campaign until
the question was settled and settled
right, the democrats have forfeited ev-
cry claim upon the support of silver men
in other political organizations. The sill
Yer republican Who kisses the hand that
smites him is unworthy the name, and no
self-respecting member of that party will
so far forget himself as to be again bam-
boozled by the false pretences of silver's
most insidious foes.
~
On all questions. aside from the silver
issue, the silver republicans are in full
accord with the principles Of the republi-
can party, to whose political successes
in tEa pnst thoy- a. 20 nn,+,;b,,tol .., =.
whose glorious record of the by-gone
days they have a rightful share. AS the
democratic party has retired the free
coinage question to the rear, destroying
success an impossibility-as the demo-
cracy has pushed to the front, as the
paramount issue of the next campaign, a
proposition Involving the question of
patriotic citizenship, and will place its
candidates upon a platform chiefly dedi-
Gated to the undoing of the nation and
it's DETECTION from the high destiny in
store for our people, there is but one
course left open for silver republicans to
pursue.
They owe to he good citizens of this
state, to the p~erpetuity and safety of
this commonwealth, a wholesome rebuke
to the party hat has s~candalized it's
good name at home and abroad: they
owe to the cause of bimetalism, which
called their party into being. a rebuke to
the party that has relegated its essential
features to the rear and thereby laid the
issue on the shelf. And above and be-
yond all other considerations. they owe
to their nation and it's flag their most
loyal devotion. when democracy would
turn back the Wheels of our national pro-
gress and prostitute our heritage of hon.
or before the feet of a savage foe.
INNOCENT MEN RELEASED.