Birmingham state herald., 1896-11-07
LEADER ID HIS LEGIONS MT. Bryan's Address to the Bi-
 metaIliSts. TRUTH WILL YET PREVAIL
In the Depths of Defeat the Starlight of
 Hope Is Reflected.
PRESERVE THE LINE, MAINTAIN THE MARCH
Suffering Not from Disappointed Personal Ambition, and Rich in the Mer- ited Love of the People, He
 Looks Straight Forward.

Llncoln, NeD, NOV. b.-Wllnam J. Bryan this afternoon gave out the fol- lowing statement
 To the Bimetallists of the United States:
 Conscious that millions of loyal hearts are saddened by temporary de- feat, I beg to offer word of hope and encouragement. No cause ever had supporters more brave, earnest and de- voted than those who have espoused the cause of bimetallism. They have fought from conviction, and have fought with all the zeal which conviction inspires. Events will prove whether they are right or wrong. Having done their duty as they saw 1t, they have nothing to re- gret.
 'The republican candidate has been heralded as the advance agent of pros perity. If his politics bring real pros perity to the American people, those who opposed him will share in that prosperity. If, on the other hand, his policies prove an injury to the people generally, those of his supporters who do not belong to the office holding class or to the privileged classes will suffer in common with those who opposed him.
 "The friends of bimetallism have not been vanquished, they have simply been overcome. They believe that the gold standard is a conspiracy of the money changers against the welfare of the hu- man race and until convinced of their er- TOT will continue their warfare against 1t. The contest has been waged this year under great endorsements and against great odds For the first time during this generation public attention has been centered upon the money ques- tion, as the paramount issue and this has been done in spite of all attempts upon the part of our opponents to pre- vent it.
 'The republican convention held out the delusive hope of international bimet- allism, while republican leaders labored secretly for gold monometallism. Gold standard democrats have publicly advo- cated the election of the Indianapolis ticket while they labored secretly for the election of the republican ticket The trusts and corporations have tried to ex- cite fear of lawlessness, while they themselves have been defying the law, and American financiers have boasted that they were the custodians of nation al honor, while they were secretly barter ing away the national financial independ- ence."
 But in spite of the efforts of the ad- ministration and it's supporters, in spite of the threats of the money loaners al home and abroad, in spite of the coercion practiced by the corporate employers, in spite of trusts and syndicates, in spite of enormous republican campaign funds, and in spite of the influence of a hostile daily press, bimetallism has almost tri- umphed in its first great fight.
 "The loss of few states, and that, too, by very small plurahties, has defeated bi- metalllsm for the present But bimetal- lism emerges from the contest stronger than it was four months ago
 T desire to commend the work of the three national committees, which have joined in the management of this cam paign.
 "Co-operation between the members of distinct political organizations is always difficult, but it has been less so this year than usual. Interest in common cause of great importance has reduced the fric- tion to minimum.
 'I hereby express my personal grati- tude to the individual members as well as to the executive officers of the na- tional committees of the democratic. pop ulist and silver parties for their untir- ing and unselfish labors. They have laid the foundation for future success, and will be remembered as pioneers when victory is at last secured.
 NO personal or political friend need grieve because of my defeat. My ambi- tion has been to secure immediate legisla- tion rather than to enjoy the honors of office and therefore defeat brings to me no feeling of personal loss.
 Speaking for the wife who has shared my labors. as we'll as myself I desire to
 
 all that we have done. In the love of mill lions of our fellow citizens so kindly ex- pressed, in knowledge gained by personal contact with the people and in broad ened sympathies, we feel full compen- sation for whatever efforts we have put forth.
 "Our hearts have been touched by the devotion of friends, and our lives shall prove our appreciation of the affection which we prize as the richest reward which this campaign has brought.
 ''In the face of an enemy rejoicing in its victory, let the roll be called for the next engagement, and let us urge all friends of bimetallism to renew their allegiance to the cause. If we are right, as believe we are we shall yet triumph
 Until convinced of his error, let each advocate of bimetallism continue to work Let all silver clubs retain their organiza ton, hold regular meetings and circulate literature. Our opponents have succeeded in this campaign, and must now put their theories to the test. In- stead of talking mysteriously about sound money and an honest dollar, they must now elaborate and defend financial system. Every step taken by them should be publicly considered by the silver clubs.
 "Our cause has prospered most where the money question has been longest dis cussed among the people. During the next four years it will be studied all over this nation, even more than 1t has been studied in the past
 s"The year 1900 is not far away. Before that year arrives International bimetal- lism will cease to deceive: before that year arrives the people who called thsm- selves gold standard democrats will be- come bImefailists ant 55e with us. or they will become republicans and be open ene- mics.
 Before that year the trusts will have convinced still more people that a trust is a menace to private welfare and to public safety Before that year arrives, the evil effects of gold standard will be even more evident than they are now. and the people then ready to demand an American financial policy for the Amer ican people will join with us in the inn mediate restoration of the free and un- limited coinage of gold and silver at the present legal ratio of 16 to 1, without