Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-09-02

alternately from each Of the four sides of
the platform. Even then not more than
tenth of the people could hear him. He was
introduced by Allen w. Thurman, who has
been fighting for free silver in Ohio for
several years, and after the candidates
speech the democratic nominee for Con-
gress in therColumbus district, John ].
Lentz. addressed the remainder Of the
crowd.
Mr.. Bryan said:
This is the largest audience to which I
ever tried to speak. l have had occasion to
talk where the audience filled the house,
but never had the OCCASION to talk where
the audience filled all out of doors. If you
an vote as you now shout don't see how
there can be any question about the tri-
umph of free silver in the state of Ohio.
we nave entered upon a campaign which
means much to the American people. If
your opponents speak truly when they de-
scribe what will in their judgment be the
erect OF f1ee coinage. then the success of
the chicago ticket would certainly be
calamity to the country. If, on the other
hant, we speak the truth when de-
scribe 10 you the effects of gold stand
ard continued, then the maintenance of the
gold standard until foreign nations come to
our relief is an evil which cannot be con-
templated by those who love their coun-
try We have begun an unceasing warfare
against the gold standard. The republican
party without declaring the gold standard
is Sood thing has declared that the gold
standard must be maintained. l call your
attention to the fact that no party in the
history of this country has ever in a ma
tlonal convention commended the gold
standard Its effects are so bad that no
party mas dared to uphold it,
An Interrupted Speech.
Here Mr.. Bryan went from the front of
the platform to the side, first excusing
himself to the audience in front as follows:
EXCUSE me for one moment and perhaps
by making them hear me on the other side
l n ouf Of
fusion. If you people here will be as still
as you are now for little while, l will
come back to you'
Mr.. Bryan then spoke from the side Of
the platform, saying:
desire to impress upon your minds the
TACT that the enemy we are fighting in this
campaign Is an enemy which has never
gone INTO an open battle. The advocates of
the gold standard have never dared to
submit the gold standard to the arbitra-
ment or a ballot. Every step that has been
taken has been taken by stealth and with
out the approval of the American people
When silver was demonetized in 1873 the
people mad not discussed it, and persons
who were members of Congress and voted
on the measure testified that they did not
understand that the bill demonetized sill
Yer.
When the crime was discovered and the
American people attempted to restore sill
yer TO Its ancient place by the side of gold
tne opponents of free coinage forced the
ana as soon the Bland act went into
force the enemies of free silver proceeded
10 repeal the Bland act and left nothing in
It's place. But the silver sentiment grew
untll $50. and in that year the opponents
OF Tree coinage, being afraid of the passing
OF a Tree coinage bill, secured another com
promise, which was known as the Sherman
law.
The Sherman Law
I'm support of that measure Senator
sherman made a speech, and in that speech
ne said that we required more than s4o-
en,oU new money every year to keep pace
with population and industry and he adj
vocated that measure on the ground that it
gave to the people more money and vet in
his Recollectlons, published only a few
months ago. you will find that Senator
sherman there says that he was in favor
OF lhe sherman law simply to prevent free
coinage, and that he was for Its repeal the
Gay alter II was enacted If he could pre-
Vent the substitution of free coinage.
mere you will find the chief supporter
OF Sold standard policy in the United
states supporting a bill because it gave
money to. the American people and then
ueciarlhS that he would have voted for the
repeal OF 1t the very next day"