The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-07-15
BAD CLASH OF DATES
Bryan and a Republican Candidate
Billed for Cenhalla Last Night.
SHOUTS FROM BOTH SIDES
nut When the Democratic Noml-
nee Finished Speaking the OPP
sitlon Crowd Joined tho silver
Forces In Loud Cheering

Centralia. ILL.,. July H.-For some
reason, the ovation that was to have
been given To William j. Bryan here to-
night was almost a failure. Scarcely
300 people all told were at the station
when the train pulled In. A CLUB OF
democratic voters arrived from Nash
willie with band about 1880 o'clock and
few minutes later one came in from
Fairfield. but they added scarcely go
people to the crowd. To make matters
worse. the place selected for Bryan to
meet the crowd was at the city park.
which had already been engaged by
William Il. Mason, a republican candi-
date for the United States senate from
this state. On this account Mr.. Bryan
and his friends had to vacate before
o'clock. The majority of the crowd
that came to the park appeared 70 be
republicans who had expected 10 listen
TO Mckinley talk. There were fire.
quent cheers for Mckinley and then
the friends of democracy would sho out
for Bryan. Altgeld and free silver.
The train which brought Mr.. Bryan
arrived at 5;45 o'clock. Mr.. and
Mrs. Bryan were hurried through the
crowd to a carriage. At the home OF
Captain Dwight. whose wife Is
cousin of Mr.. Bryan. there was an in
formal reception to the ladies OF Cen
tralia who were presented to the nom-
inee and his wife. There were several
hundred women there and the AFFAIR
was decidedly pleasant. The visiting
party was then taken to the city park.
After referring pleasantly to his
friends and relatives in town. Mr..
Bryan said in part: I'VE are entering
upon a memorable campaign and the
issues are being drawn for the contest.
/ trust that the issues involved In this
campaign will be clearly understood
and carefully studied. Parties are not
made to be worshiped. They are mere
|ly the instruments by which We serve
our country. The people are made not
for parties, but parties are made for
the people, and parties san only claim
the support of the people when they
are efficient instruments In the hands
of the people Of accomplishing good.
IN this campaign believe there will
be less of personalities and more OF
principles than in any campaign
which we have taken part In In recent
years. The people are thinking about
great public questions. You must not
expect that any platform will contain
all you desire. Nor must you expect
any platform will be free from some
objections. We select our party. we
select our platform. not In the hope OF
something that Is absolutely In accord
with our opinion, but which gives the
fullest expression Of all OF our hopes
and aspirations and we take that plat
form and join that party which. for the
time being. promises to give US the best
legislation on the most important ques-
tlons.
TT is conceded on all sides that the
greatest and most important issue rs
the money question. 1t matters not
whether you believe In the restoration
of silver or in gold standard, you
must admit that the settlement OF the
money question Is of the first and
greatest importance. When THAT Is
done other things can be considered.
Four years ago the positions taken by
the republican and democratic parties
on the money question were Identical.
Both parties declared In favor Of gold
and silver as the money OF the country.
Four years have passed since these
platforms were written, and these four
years have been years OF momentous
events and as this campaign ap-
proachess, the two great parties line
themselves up on this great question.
The republican party at st. Louis de-
clared the gold standard should be
maintained until II could be changed
by International agreement Note the
language. That platform does not say
that the gold standard is a good thing.
because the platform pledges the party
to get rid OF the gold standard and
substitute for 1t something better as
soon as II can be done. But II assumes
that this better substitute can not be
received until the world shall help.
The democratic party declared itself
unalterably opposed to a single gold
standard. And more than that. the re-
publican platform did not promise you
any complete monetary system. The
democratic party outlined what II de-
sired to have done. II declared In favor
of the immediate restoration Of the free
and unlimited coinage OF both gold and
silver at the present legal ratio Of IS to
without waiting for the aid OF con-
sent OF any other nation. We also de-
clared that the silver dollar should be
legal tender for all debts, public and
private, and that such legislation
should be enacted as Is necessary TO
prevent, for the future, the demone-
| tIzation OF any kind or legal tender
money. The platform declared that the
government should exercise the right
| TO redeem its coined obligations in
either gold or silver. The issue is drawn
and we have our choice In this cam
paign between an American financial
system for the American people and
an English financial system TO be fore
ed upon US.
II want 10 ask you two questions
which ought 10 be asked over and over
| again In this campaign. each time with
increased emphasis. and the questions
are these: II the gold standard Is a
good thing. why ought we to try to get
rid OF Il? And. II ID Is a bad thing.
why should we keep II until some other
| nation helps us 10 get rid OF IL"
There was tremendous applause when
Bryan ceased speaking. Even those
| who had come to hear Mason Joined
| in the demonstration of apparent ap-
proval. The visitors were then escorted
10 a carriage and amid the peals Of
| bands, driven 10 the railway station.
where they took the train for Salem.
| umnaI Du the Rocks