The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-02-06

and those great declarations of
human rights-the Chicago and
Kansas City platforms-with all the
fervor of which we were capable.
But there were some Democrats,
most of them as honest as we, who
magnifed the silver question into a
vital issue, and who, therefore, dis
agreeing with us, our platforms and
Our candidates, assisted directly or
indirectly to put the imperiaiist
party into power. They have re-
allied their error. They see the
republic transformed into an empire.
They see the Constitution disre-
garded; the government administer
ed in the interest of a class; the
money power omnipotent; the Con-
gress taxing for the benefit of the
few at the expense of the many;
gigantic industrial combinations
flourishing unopposed; and an
European colonial system establish
ed instead of our familiar and con-
stitutional American territorial sys-
tenn, with the mighty military and
naval ornaments required % sup
port it Those Democrats who
were misled by false and corrupt
clamor into helping to bring on this
condition of things are heartily sick
and sorry. They are quite able to
see now that even if bimetallism
had been really the menace to COM
mercial prosperity which 1t was
represented to be, it was mere
triffe in comparison with the trans.
formation of our republican govern
ment, which has taken place and is
taking place. The limited or un
limited coinage of silver was ques-
tion of mere economy or eXpedien-
cy. 1t was not a constitutional
question. 1t did not touch the
rights or liberties of our people.
Democrats might differ about it with
perfect freedom. A mistake about
it could easily be corrected Those,
therefore, who lett the Democratic
party because Of it, lett without
reasonable provocation, and we, the
nearly seven millions of Democrats
who remain faithful, must be care
ful that we do not incur a like
guilt, by continuing to exclude
them for difference of opinion upon
an altogether minor matter. We
want them all back. We want the
many honored Democrats who
stood nobly with us through the
battles of the last forty years ii
Pennsylvania-the Hancocks, the
Baers, the Farquhars, the Myers
the Hensels. the Harritys, the Pat.
tisons, the Cadwaladers- with US
where they truly belong. Upor
every other question but that o
silver we are at one. Unhappily
because adversely settled, there i:
no more silver question. None
of us who supported the Chicago
and Kansas City platforms and fol
lowed with JOY and pride that glo
rious tribune OF the common people
Of America, William J. Bryan, Tee
the smallest sense of regret for oul
action in those days which triee
mems souls. We would gladly dc
the same again. But for the pres
ent the issue is overpast. The golo
standard has won. The crime il
complete. The conhscation of tn,
eai nings of labor the world owe
has taken place. The people have
been duly feeced. The none,
power has pouched the spoil. I'm
til that power shall have determin
ed that it is time to make anothe
confscation by another change o
standard, or until the peoples O
the earth have been plunged int
profound calamity and universe
distress, there can be no silver ques
tion. Why then should we max,
it test of political orthodoxy il
our comparatively little district O
Pennsylvania?
I think it altogether right ant
wise that we should in Our nomina
tions for Congress require that on
candidates should be such as hav,
supported the party in the past
and can be relied upon to enter th
Democratic caucus and abide BY
its decisions. No disturbers shoulc
be sent there. But in our muni
cipal, county and State affairs w
should not draw rigid distinction
between so-called gold Democrat
and regular Democrats. The Gov
ernor and the Legislature of Penn