Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-02-09
DEMOCRATIC 7ES TiMONH

IF the testimony of the Boston Journal
"a republican newspaper which was
desperately anxious to have Nh. Bryan
commit himself to the free coinage ratio
Of 16 to 1. in his now famous Massachu-
sets speech-is not sufficiently con-
vincing as to the treatment accorded sill
yer by the distinguished orator OF the
occasion, perhaps the statements of the
democratic press may serve that purpose
In referring to his speech that sterling
democratic organ, the Boston Traveller,
said:
We are pleased to extend our warmest
congratulations to William Jennings
BRYAN on his visit to Boston, the hearty
reception thai was accorded him and the
practical common sense that animated
his public utterances while in this city.
We are confident that on a democratic
platform based on his speech last even-
ing. Colonel Bryan would sweep the coun-
try. In his earnest %eloquence he brought
forth in convincing words the great issues
upon which the campaign should rest, OPP
position to Imperialism, the checking of
the power of the trusts n the check
mating Of the republican scheme to es-
tablish a money trust under the nefarious
banking bill. These are the vital issues
of the day, and upon them, if ably and
vigorously presented, democratic victory
can be won. These issues are SO great
as to make them paramount. No other
is essential and no other need be intro
duced to unsettle, by its theoretical dan
gers. the minds of the voters. WE ARE
PLEASED THAT COLONEL BRYAN,
n TIIN COTyDS n an ANY AnTHD LNSS
OCCUPYING MORE THAN AN HOUR
AND A HALF. DID NOT ONCE REFER
TO THE 16 TO / RATIO FOR THE
FRDD COINAGE OF SILVER. This is
a question which can we'll be left in
allegiance by it's warmest advocate, Of
such small momen is it when compared
with the issues so ably presented by
Colonel Bryan. We should be willing to
rest the future of the democracy upon
his last evenings speech, and some
phrases from it might we'll form the
skeleton of the party platform.
The hearty congratulations extended
Mr.. Bryan by the newspaper organ of
the Boston democracy, because he aban-
doned the free coinage issue. would not
have been rendered him had he stood
courageously by his colors. In 1896, Mr..
hAAoC ~ AtSO iAlo "
silver and gold. at the ratio of 16 to l.,
by the Independent action of this nation,
was the paramount issue before the
American public, and would remain the
paramount issue until settled and settled
right. Had he reafirmed the position
which brought the silver men to his sup
port in 1896, in his Boston speech, he
would not have received the editorial
peace-offerings of the Massachusetts de-
mocracy. This is evidenced by the posi-
ton taken by the Boston Traveller prior
to the delivery of his address outlining
the issues of the next campaign. That
paper had learned from some unreliable
source-from the Anaconda Standard.
perhaps-that Mr.. Bryan stood on the
silver question precisely where he stood
in 1896. and this is what it said to that
gentleman editorially:
The mere statement of a belief, unsub-
stantiated by proof, is not sufficient to
inspire confidence that adherence to the
Is to / policy VIII mean anything but the
defeat for the democracy that it brought
in 1896. IF YOU HAVE ANY PROOF TIC
THE CONTRARY WE SHOULD BE
PLEASED IF YOU WOULD BRING IT
FORWARD HERE IN BOSTON, AND
WE CALL UPON YOU no DO SO.
Did Mr.. Bryan accept his challenge
from the democracy of Massachusetts, ?
Not he! Did he take issue with the news.
paper representative of the misguided
slngle-standard democracy? He did not!
He not only refused to submit the proo1
by the Boston Traveller, bu1
he refused to even allude to the free CON.
age question in an address covering ar
hour and a half, and which was oslensibly
q public presentation of the nationa
issues Of the next campaign. Why did h,
lack the courage to defend the faitl
which the Anaconda Standard and tn,
Helena Independent say is still within
him? Possibly the following review o
the political situation, published in con
nection with the Boston Travellers chal
lege to Bryan. may have had somethin,
to do with the dropping of the free coin
age issue by its late champion. TIL,
Traveller said:
We presume that you will not gainsa!
h fact that the presidency was lost IL
1896 ON the 16 to 1 issue. What reason
have o to believe that the mex cleo
ton will show better results it the cam