The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-07-27
CLEVELAND TO DEMOCRATS.
The Ex- presidents Satisfaction
With the Candidate and his
Gold Telegram.
From Golfers for July %, Copy

SanlGry nave felS depressed Dy certain
Convention incidents relating to the
money question, it is certainly now time
Tor them and for all who love true
Democracy calmly TO survey the situa-
tion as it appears since the dust and
swelter cf Convention controversy
have passed away.
Such survey is full OF cougratula
tion and .dope. In the first place, it
creates the assurance that the national
Democracy as an organization has
been freed from the financial delusions
that have made it weak aud has enter
ed upon a period Of old time vigor aud
strength. This is too apparent for
denial. No action of Democracy's re-
presentatives assembled in the late
Convention can be construed in any
way than as all acknowledgment Of
the establishment of the golc satndard
and willing pledge to It's mainten-
ance. This condition should Of itself
be sufficient to so fill our measure Of
satisfaction as to cause Us to forget
any fears c. trepidation that may have
vexed US during the days just past.
7 do not overlook the fact that two
clear and nnimpeached verdicts of the
people standirecorded in favor of the
gold standard, and that its perpetuity
has been secured by Federal enact
ment, but I insist that, in refusing
to indulge in any further free silver
or double standard vagaries, the scon-
yention did not, on account OF existing
conditions, merely make a virtue OF
necessity, but that it voiced. instead,
an actual and wholesome change IN
sentiment among the rank and file OF
Democracy. Herein is found abun-
dainty sufficient cause f7r gratitude
and congratulstion on the part of
those who love true Democracy. I
want to go further than this, and to
express a reverent belief that certain
Convention occurrences, apparently
untoward, have worked together for
Democracy's good, and that a happy
outcome has been reached through
leading wiser and more certain than
the wit of man could have devised.
Senator Tillman aud I have occasion
ally differed, but | hope he will take
no offence if applaud and give hear
ty concurrence to his expression Of the
belief that Providence has taken
kindly hold on our affairs. -
OF course, it would have been mat
ter of great satisfaction to those of us
who have always been unyielding and
insistent gold standard Democrats if
we could have had declaration in the
platform committing our party in dis
tinct terms to the acceptance and con-
slant defence and maintenance of the
gold staDdard-nos because Of an IN
expected increase in gold production,
but on grounds of economic wisdom
and national honor. AS protestations
of affection never fatigue, SO those who
supremely love safe standard for our
peoples money cannos hear too often
that the gold standard is immutably
fixed. Nevertheless, as an original pro-
position, such a platform assurance
was not necessary either on sentimen
tai grounds or to make gold standard
conditions more certain. They were
as unchangeably settled as they could
be-with or without platform declara-
tion.
It must be confessed, however, that
forbidding portents were seen in the
Democratic sky when 8 platform de-
liverance intended to pass as 1ecog-
nition and approval OF the gold stan
dard was rejected after discussion in
the platform committeee, leaving no
substituted expression Of any kind in
it's place, and when, there upon, a
platform containing reference to the
gold Astandard was approved by the
Convention.
The trepidation and disappointment
which Immediately supervened among
the masses Ct the expectant Democracy
did not arise from the mere absence
of any statement concerning the gold
standard, but it represented perfect
and perhaps Instructive realization Of
the confusion and misapprehension
caused among themselves and the i'm
mense advantage given to their politi-
cal enemies by proposing, in fash
ion, to declare for the gold standard
and after discussion refusing to do so.
At this critical moment the sun ap-
peared and scattered every evil por-
tent. In his time Of fear and gloom
(. leader came to the Democratic hosts.
A quiet, able, reserved man had been
selected as the Democracy's candidate
for the Preidency. His sterling and
constant adherence to party had been
SO fully avouched that it was
nearly supposed that no ac-
tion of the organization would
provoke his protest. And now,
while the Democratic rank and file
trembled and waited, the voice of this
quiet, reserved and able man rang out
above all Convention clamor, drown
ing the roisterous hum of Convention
diplomacy. In tones CT authority and
leadership the message went forth:
81 regard the gold standard as firm
ly and irrevocably established, and
snail act accordingly if the action of
he Convention today shall be ratified
by the people. AS the platform is
silent on the subject. my view should
be made known to the Convention !:
and if it is proved 10 be unsatisfactory
to the majority, request you to de-
cline the nomination lCr me at once,
so that another may be nominated.
"A. +. Parker
Those Democrats who have been i'm
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