The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-04
SPEECH OF GOV. THOMAS
Temporary Chairman of the
National Democratic
Convention.

Governor Charles s Thomas, of Colo
RADIO, the temporary chairman, said:
I'VE meet under most suspicious infiu-
ences- On the nations birthday, in a great
central city of the republic, at the close
and opening of a century, come to-
gether to reafirm our allegiance to tie
principles of Thomas Jefferson and our
loyalty to their greatest living exponent
We have been selected by the farmer and
the artisan the miner and the mechanic,
the producers of wealth in every state
and territory of this mighty nation, to
register a decree they have already de-
termined. 70 proclaim a candidate they
have already chosen We come, not with
the pomp and circumstance of consoli-
dated wealth, but as the delegates Of the
plain people Who believe that all men were
created equal. and that all governments
derive their just powers from the consent
OF the governed We are not mere as the
representatives Ct the vast interests which
dominate our industrial life, but as the
champions of the individual citizen who
stands helpless in their presence We
speak not for those who would pivot the
finances of the world upon single metal.
supplementing its inadequacy by paper
the expense Of the people but for the
millions who believe in the money of the
countrvmen to IesfsIate for themselves
without the previous permission of for
eign parliamenls, potentates or princes
We are IN very truth !, the e party 20 OF the
pose given to the world four years ago,
has been strengthened BY the passage Of
hearts and hopes. 1t marked an epoch in
political history and symbolized the re-
coeval with the birth of the Union, whose
death that Union can not long survive
precepts of our founders. reanirmed the
objects Of Democratic organization, and
proclaimed Democracy to be no LONGER
name, but a great spirit and a IN lg
heart
ministratiOn found the country face to
face with conditions of the greatest mo-
rnent- A deficiency IN the pubic revenues,
through the reckless legislation and prof.
ligate extravag ance of the F1fty-hrSt con-
gTess. had become apparent in the pre-
ceding October. A bond issue, prepared In
February. was postponed legacy to
the incoming administratio ton. Trade and
industry. long stimulated by unequal
tariff laws were staggering toward a
crisis Monetary conditions disturbed and
uncertain threatened early disaster. The
storm came in June. when the elements
long pent up and long accommodating burst
in fury upon the continent Il shook the
foundations Of our commercial fabric,
overwhelming every branch of trade and
Industry and spread Bankruptcy and des-
olation everywhere. Its subsistence was
the work of years The misery and ruin
it inflicted are fresh in the minds and
emerged from the receding food. the
stricken nation struggled TO its feet and
construction, while statesmen discussed
the causes Of our calamity In the agony
of our suffering they clearly perceived and
freely acknowledged its primal source, a
vicious and indsfensibie monetary SyS-
tenn Men differed as to the method of
its reformation not as to the necessity for
a change They wrargled over the merits
of standards. but united in condemning
an unsound and artificial financial sys-
tenn the logical outcome of whose opera
ton was inevitable disaster.
The line Of division between political
forces became. thsreforeh sharply defined
in 1885 upon what was called the Money
Question That question involved. a we
then asserted and as we now know, every
other economic problem It embraced
within its wide limitations the issues of
labor and capital. OF combination and
competition, Of production transporta-
ton and distribution. 1t was predicted
that the defeat of bimetallism would be
followed by the retirement Of all forms
OF government currency, by the dedication
of the power of note issue to the holders
OF the national obligation. the practical
consolidation Of all lines of transporta-