Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-14
MIR. BNYAy's SPEECH.


The speech Of Mr. Bryan made Wednes-
day night at the Madison-square Car
den. in New York, was not an attempt
at eloquence or oratory. 1t was
plain. hearty and able defence Of the
position of the Democratic party, adj
dressed 10 the calm judgment OF the
businessmen of Americas great com
mercial centre. and to the millions OF
other voters Of our country.
II was a statement of facts. as Mr..
Bryan sees those facts, and an argu-
ment pointed at the cold reason OF men
who know that there's something
wrong" but who differ widely as to the
remedy therefor. In our opinion the
Msdison-Square Garden speech shows far
greater ability than his Chicago speech
One was brilliant rhetorical effort, de-
livered with dramatic force before
highly-sympathetic audience; the other
was a wrestling with the reason, rather
than the firing OF the enthusiasm Of his
hearers. One viii be quoted for it's glow
ing phrases; the other will become the
standard argument for free silver, and
a sure defence Of the position OF our
PARTY In this campaign. And, as such,
It will be relied upon and quoted from
by all Democratic stump-speakers. while
the Republicans. recognizing in it a
serious menace TO their success, will turn
upon II all OF the shot and shell of their
big guns Of the press and rostrum. Well.
let them fire and fume, while the Demo-
Gratis OF the country rejoice to find their
A. In, h. 80
pion; so capable leader; whether the
sweapons of warfare be the cold steel of
logic. or the red-hot artillery of eloquence
and enthusiasm.
Mr.. Bryan announced that at a future
day. and IN formal letter he would
more fully touch upon the issues of the
Chicago platform. he then proceeded 10
address The Notification Committee and
his fifteen thousand other hearers Gin
regard 10 the campaign upon which we
are now entering" He devoted nearly all
OF his time and attention to the free-silver
question and TO assuring the public that
the Democratic party has not for its OBJ
5ect the reconstruction Of society,". e..
that We are not the Anarchist, Socialists,
charged with being.
In his old presidential campaigning days
Mr.. Cleveland had a great deal TO say in
praise Of "the plain people" SO had Mr..
Bryan. though he did not adopt Mr..
Cleveland's pet phrase. Mr.. Bryan yigor-
ously repudiated the idea that those he
represented "are the foes OF social order
and moral honor" on this point his
speech was very strong. and must have
converted many In his audience who came
10 the meeting prejudiced against our
cause.
Mr.. Bryan's argument in favor Of free
coinage was bold. able. and persuasive.
II proceeded upon the belief that the gold
dollar has Of late years greatly increased
in value. The "50-cent' dollar he booted
at, as II were. He believes that free
coinage on the part OF the United States
will bring our silver dollars and our gold
dollars TO a level Hundreds of questions
as to the free coinage OF silver that are
daily asked are answered in his speech
and whoever will take Il ana read II care
fully will ind it wonderfully stored with
free coinage is the right thing; that II will
greatly benefit the country. and that II
need be attended with no financial con.
vulsion unless, indeed, Wall street chooses
10 have II so.
From the following extract from Mr..
Bryan's spe,c en- we conclude that il he
should De elected to the presidency he
would not hesitate TO cail Congress into
extra session al once TO adjust legisla-
aion to the decision Of the people and 10
the demands Of the hour:
There Is another argument 10 which
/ a8k your attention Some OF the more
zsaious opponents OF free coinage point
10 the fact that thirteen months must
s,apso between the election and the first
rsxs1lsr session OF Congress, and assert
sasf during that time. In case the