Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1896-08-06

Candidate Bryans speech before the
democratic national convention is here
given in part. 1t was in reply to Sen
ator Hills defense Of the substitute for
free coinage platform.
Let me call attention to two or
three great things The gentleman
from New York says that he will pro-
pose an amendment providing that this
change in our laws shall not affect con-
tracts already made. Let me remind
him that there is no intention Of affect
ing those contracts which, according to
the present laws are made payable in
gold. But If he means to say that we
cannot change our monetary system
without protecting those who have
loaned money before, the change was
made, want to ask him where, in law
or in morals, he can find authority for
not protecting the debtors when the act
Of 1873 was passed, but now insists that
we must protect the creditor? He says
ne also wants to amend this law and
provide that il we fail to maintain
parity within year that we will then
suspend the coinage Of silver. We re-
ply that when we advocate a thing
which we believe will be successful we
are not compelled to raise doubt as
to our own sincerity by trying to show
what we will do If We can. 1 ask him
if he will apply his logic to us why
he DIES not apply it to himself? He
sayS that he wants this country to try
to secure an international agreement.
Why doesn't he tell us what he is going
to do if they fail to secure an interna-
tional agreement? There is more rea-
son for him to do that than for us to
fall to maintain the parity. They have
tried for thirty years-for thirty years
to secure an international agreement,
and those are waiting for it most pa
tiently don't want it at all. Cheer
ing. Laughter long continued)
The Paramount Issue.
"Now, my friends, let me come to
the great paramount issue. If they ask
us here why it is that we say more on
the money question than we say upon
the tariff question, l reply that if pro-
lection has slain its thousands, the gold
standard has slain its tens Of thou
sands. If they ask lis why We did not
embody all those things in our plat
form which we believe, we reply to
them that when we have restored the
money Of the constitution all other
necessary reforms will be possible, and
that until that is done there is no re-
form that can be accomplished.
(Cheers) Why is 1t that within three
months such a change has come over
the sentiment of this country? Three
months ago, when it was confidently
asserted that those who believed In the
gold standard would frame our plat
form and nominate our candidate,
even the advocates of the gold standard
did not think that we could elect a
president, but they had good reason
for the suspicion, because there is
scarcely state here today asking for
the gold standard that Is not within
the absolute control of the republican
party. loud cheering)
"But note the change. Mr.. McKin-
ley was nominated at st. Louis upon
platform that declared for the maiu-
tenance of the gold standard until 1t
should be changed into bimetallism by
an international agreement. Mr.. Nc
Kinley was the most popular man
among the republicans, and everybody
three months ago in the republican par
ty prophesled his election. How Is It
today? Why, that man, who used to
boast that he looked like Napoleon
daughter and cheerlng)-that man
shudders today when he thinks that he
was nominated on the anniversary of
the battle Of Waterloo. Not only that,
but as he listens he can hear with ever
increasing distinctness the sound Of the
waves as they beat upon the lonely
shores Of st. Helena. (Cheers)
AVonEInE Wrath OF the People.
"Why this change? Alb. my friends,
is not the change evident to any one
who will look at the matter? 1t is no
private character, however pure, no
personal popularity, however great,
that can protect from the avenging
wrath OF an indignant people the man
who will either declare that he is in
favor of fastening the gold standard
upon this people, or who is willing to
surrender the right of self-government
and place the legislative control in the
hands Of foreign potentates and powers.
(Cheers.)
I'VE go forth confident that we shall
win. Why? Because upon the para
mount issue in this campaign there is
not a spot of ground upon which the
enemy will dare to challenge battle.
Why, If they tell us that the gold stand
ard is a good thing, we point to their
platform and tell them that their plat
form pledges the party to get rid Of
gold standard and substitute bimetal-
lism. (Applause)
"If the gold standard is a good thing
why try to get rid Of it? daughter
and continued applause) II the gold