The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-21

IN regard to such political questions are
not fundamental, but merely local or trans
Itory, like many of the vain conceits you
nave yourself espoused. But none of those
thfee thousand members is a Republican.
As Tor myself never voted for a Repub-
mean candidate, either for a great or small
office
Inc board of governors and the presl-
cent or so large a Democratic organiza-
tion endeavored to represent officially the
Wlshes OF the majority, which was that
the coming anniversary of the birthday of
Jefferson should be celebrated this year by
'he organization as in previous years. To
recall those principles and traditions with
Whlch MS name is so indelibly associated,
tends TO bring about revival of Demo-
cratic control based on public questions,
the conditions of which are not transitory.
10 the explanation made to you, that
lndlVldual opinions have not been consl0-
ered, you replied that you do not un-
derstand how Individual opinions can be
ignored In political gathering
Contrast in 0pinions.
Then you proceed to contrast your opin-
IONS with mine, to emphasize their antag-
onism and finally declare that you and [
cannot with propriety join in political
banquet given in honor of Democracy's
patron saint
Your contention is that the Chicago
platform applies Jeffersonian principles to
present conditions and that because l
criticised that platform in its application
to conditions existing three years ago, and
then resisted your candidacy for the pres
idency, therefore my presence at the pro-
posed dinner would not honor the worlds
greatest Democrat.
THE course of events will probably
prove your understanding of the relations
of individual opinions to Democratic gath
erings, and it is therefore not required of
me now to indulge in a long discourse on
the relations in your politics of tempo
rary to permanent questions
BeImont's Explanation.
"On returning from the Chicago conven-
ton l explained my course in a public ad
dress TO my constituents and justified my
protest on the ground that legislative and
executive action in enforcing the Chica
go platform would be an assault on wages
and savings bring on silver monometal-
lism, and impair the obligations of con-
tracts. l thereafter contended wherever
l had opportunity that inslstence by the
United States on the coinage ratio of IS
to / would be the grave of International
bimetallism and that If Europe open
ed its mints at 151a and this government
persisted in the ratio of 16, the result
would be as in 1884 and the United States
would be left with only a subsidiary cur
rency.
Il answer you as an individual and not
as committing the organization of which
l am president. No copy of your letter or
this reply has been seen by any member
of the Democratic Club, and will not until
after the reply has been maied to you.
sSo Right to Question Him.
ut is not practical for me to recall in
this letter the substance of what l have
written or spoken during or since the last
presidential campaign IN regard to the
Chicago platform and its many phases, al
though L DO not in any way recognize
your right to question my Democracy. i
am sending you by this mail a volume
which correctly gives the list of every
thing which has been published and you
are at liberty to Indicate and expose any
portion that is unpatriotic, un-Democratic,
un-American or in conflict with the Demo
cratic creed as set forth in Jefferson's first
inaugural address. Perry Belmont"