The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1896-11-12
ADDRESS BY BRYAN
THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE ISSUES
STATEMENT.
He Reviews the Late residential
Campaign and Gives His Reasons
for the Defeat of the Cause of
Which He Was the Leader He
Declares That the Fight VIII BE
Waged with VigOr.

Lincoln, Neb., Nov. S.-A1r. Bryan has
given out the following to the bimetal-
lists of the United States:
Conscious that millions of loyal hearts
are saddened by temporary defeat, | beg TO
offer a word Of hope and encouragement.
No cause ever had supporters more brave.
earnest and devoted than those who have
aspoused 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
regret. The Republican candidate has been
heralded as the advance agent OF prosperity.
If his policies bring real prosperity 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 sup
porters who do not belong TO the office
holding class, or TO the privileged classes.
Will suffer In common with those who OPP
posed him. The friends Of bimetallism have
not been vanquished; they have simply been
overcome. They believe that the gold stand
ard is a conspiracy of the money changers
against the welfare of the human race, and
until convinced Of their error, they will
continue the warfare against It.
The contest has been waged this year
under great embarrassments and against
great odds. For the first time during this
generation, public attention has been cen
tered upon the money question as the para
mount issue, and this has been done in spite
Of all attempts upon the part OF our oppo-
nents TO prevent It. The Republican con-
vention held out the delusive hope Of inter
national bimetallism. while Republican
leaders labored secretly for gold none
metallism. Gold standard Democrats have
publicly advocated the election of the In
Annapolis ticket, while they lahored secret
Iy for the election of the Republican ticket.
The trusts and corporations have tried
to excite a fear Of lawlessness, while they
have been defying the law, md American
financiers have boosted that they were
the custOdians of national honor. while
they were secretly bartering away the ma
tons financial independence. But in spite
Of the efforts of the administration and its
supporters; In spite Of the threats OF money
loaners at home and abroad; In spite OF
the coercion practiced by corporations en-
plOyers, in spite Of trusts and syndicates, In
spite OF an enormous Republican campaign
fund, and In spite Of the influence OF a
hostile daily press, bimetalllsm has almost
triumphed in its first great fight. The
loss Of a few states, and that, too, by a
very small plurality. has defeated bimetal-
lism for the presentf, but bimetallism
emerged from the contest stronger than 1t
was for months before.
Their Work Commended. >
] desire TO commend the work Of the three
national committees which have joined In
the management Of this campaign. Coop
Grafton between the members of distinct
political organizations Is always difficult,
put 1t has been less so this year than usual.
Interest In a common cause Of grdGt i'm
,ortance has reduced friction to n minimum.
hereby express my personal gra rrude to
fle individual members, as well as the
Executive officers of the national committee
II the Democratic, Populist and silver par
1 tics for THAR 1itfio uIf yntiripn aud ynenI
fish labors. They have laid the foundation
for future success. and will be
as pioneers when victory Is at last secured.
No personal or political friend need grtve
because of my defeat. My ambition has
been TO secure immediate legislation rather
than to enjoy the honors Of Office. There
fore, defeat brings to me no feeling Of per-
sonal loss. Speaking for the wife who has
shared my labors, as well as for myself, I
1esire TO say that we have been amply re-
paid for all we have done. In the love of
Millions of our fellow citizens, so kindly eX-
Iressed in knowledge gained by personal
contact with the people, and In broadened
ympathies, we find full compensation for
whatever efforts we have put forth. Our
learts have been touched by the devotion of
friends, and our lives shall prove our appre-
tatiOn of the affection which we prize as
he richest reward which this campaign has
brought.
In the face Of an enemy rejoicing at its
victory, let the roll be called for the engage.
ment. and urge all friends Of bimetailism to
renew their allegiance to the cause. IL we
are right, as / believe we are, we shall vet
triumph. Until convinced Of his error, let
each advocate Of bimetaIlism continue tho
work. Let all silver clubs retain their or.
ganiZation, hold regular meetings and circu.
late literature. Our opponents have sue.
cecded In this campaign, and must now put
their theories to the test. Instead of talk
ing mysteriously about Sound money! and
"a4 honest dollar" they must now elaborate
and defend a financial system. Every step
taken by them should be publicly considered
by the silver clubs. Our cause has pros
pered most where the money question has
been longest discussed among the people.
During the next four years 1t will be
studied all over this nation, even more than
It has been studied In the past.
The year 1900 is not far away. Before
that year arrives those who have called
themselves gold standard Democrats will
become bimetallists and be with us, or be-
come Republicans and thus open enemies.
Before that year arrives trusts will have
convinced still more people that a trust Is a
menace 10 private welfare and to public
safety; before that year arrives, the evils Of
a gold standard will be even more evident
than they are now, and the people then
! ready to demand an American financial pol
icy for the American people and will Join
with us In the Immediate restoration Of the
free and unlimited coinage Of gold and silver
at the present legal ratio of 16 TO 1, without
waiting for the aid or consent Of any other
nation. w. ]. Bryan.