Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-10-05
BRYAN. THE P0PULIsT.
Makes Public Letter Accepting Nomination o.
The Populist Convention.

st. Louis, Mo-. Oct. 4.-William ].
Bryan, yesterday, gave out his letter ac
cepting the Populist nomination. 1t reads
as follows:
To the Hon. William V. Allen. Chairman,
and others. Members of the Notification
Committee Of the Peoples Party:
Conference.-The nomination of the Peo-
pies party for the Presidency of the
United States has been rendered me in
such a generous spirit and upon such
cept the same without departing from
the platform adopted by the national con-
vention at Chicago.
l fully appreciate the breadth of pa
triotism which has actuated the members
of the Peoples party, who, in order to
consolidate the sentiment in favor of be-
side of party lines and support as their
candidate on already nominated by the
Democratic party and also by the silver
party.
also appreciate the fact that while
during all the years since 1873. large
majority of the Democratic party and a
considerable minority of the Republican
party have been consistent advocates of
the free coinage of silver at the present
ratio. yet ever since the organization of
the Peoples party. it's members have
unanimously supported such coinage as
the only means of resorting bmetallism
BY persistently pointing out the disas-
trous effects of gold standard and pro-
testing against each successive step. to-
ward financial bondage the POpulists
have exerted an important influence in
awakening the public to realization of
the nations present peril.
In a time like this when a great po-
litical party Is attempting to surrender
the right to legislate for ourselves upon
the financial question and is seeking to
bind the American people to a foreign
monetary system. it behooves us. as low
ers of our country and friends of Ameri-
can institutions, to lay aside for the pre-
sent such differences as may exist among
us on minor questions. in order that our
strength may be united in supreme eff
fort to wrest the government from the
bonds of those who imagine that the ma
tons finances are only secured when
controlled by a few financiers. and that
by servile acquiescence in any policy
however destructive to the interests OF
the people Of the United States which
foreign creditors present or prospective
may desire to force upon us.
1t is a case of congratuation that we
have in this campaign not only the sup
licans. who have all along believed in in
dependent bimetallsm. but also the &C
tive cooperation of those Democrats ant
Republicans who have heretofore waited
for international bimetalism. now ioir
with us rather than trust the destinies OF
the nation in the hands of those who arr
holding out the deusive hope of foreign
aid, while they labor secretly for tn,
permanent establishment of the sngl,
gold standard.
While difficulties have always arisen il
cooperation between distinct political or
ganiZat atoms. am sure that the advocates
of bmetallism are so intensely in earnes
that they will be able to devise som
means by which the free silver vote ma,
be concentrated upon one electoral tickle
In each state. To secure this result
charity toward the opinions of other
and liberality on the part of all is neces
sary. but honest and sincere friends VIII
are working toward a common result al
ways find it possible to agree upon jus
and equitable terms.
The American people have proven eaua
to every emergency which has risen i
the past, and l am confident that in tn
present emergency there will be no an
tagonism between the various regiment
of the one great army which is marcnin
to repel an invasion more dangerous t
our welfare than an army with banners
Acknowledging with gratitude your e.;
pressions of confidence and good vii
l am, very truly yours.
w. ]. BRYAN