Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-07-13
POINTS FROM BRYAN'S CONYEN.
TION SPEECH.

I come to speak to you in defense of
a cause as holy as the cause OF liberty
the cause of humanity.
Never before in the history of this
country has there been witnessed such
a contest as that through which we
have passed. Never before in the his
tory of American politics has great
issue been fought as this issue has been
by the voters themselves.
On the 4th of March, 1895, q few
democrats, most of them members OF
Congress, issued an address to the dem
Gratis of the nation, asserting that the
money question was the paramount is
sue OF the hour. Asserting also the
right of the democratic party to control
the position of the party on this issue;
concluding with the request that ali be-
lievers in the free coinage Of silver in
the democratic party should take
charge of and control the policy of the
democratic party. Three months later,
at Memphis, an organization was per-
fected, and the silver democrats went
forth openly and boldly and courag-
eously proclaimed their belief, and de-
clared that if successful they would
crystalize in q platform the declaration
they had made, and then began the
conflict with zeal approaching that
which inspired the crusaders who
followed Peter the Hermit. In
this contest brother has been ar
rayed against brother and father
against son. The warmest ties of love
and acquaintance and associations have
been disregarded. Old leaders have
been cast aside when they refused to
gye expression to the sentiments OF
tnose whom they would lead, and new
leaders have sprung up. Why, as in
dividuals we might have been glad to
compliment the gentleman from New
York (HilD, but we know that the peo-
pie for whom we speak would never be
willing to put him in position where
be could thwsrt the will of the demo
cratic party.
When you come before us and tell US
that we snail disturb your business in
terests, we reply that you have disturb,
ed our business interests by your
course.
We beg no longer; we enireat nc
more; we petition no more. We defy
them.
The gentlemen from Wisconsin has
said that he feared Robespierre. Ny
friends, in this land of the free, we need
fear no tyrant who will spring up from
among the people. What we need is
an Andrew Jackson to stand as Jack
son stood against the encroachments OF
q sgrsndizing wealth.
They say we passed an unconstitu-
tional law. Ideny it. The income tax
was not unconstitutional when it
went before the Supreme Court
for the first time. 1t did not
become unconstitutional until one
Judge changed his mind, and we cannot
be expected to know when judge will
change his mind. (Applause, and a
voice, "Hit 'em again.w The income
tax is just law.
Three months ago, when it was con-
6dently asserted that those who believe
in the gold standard would frame our
platform and nominate our candidate,
even the advocates of the gold stand
ard did not think that we could elect q
President; but they had good reason
for the suspicion. because there is
scarcely State here to day asking for
the gold standard that is not within
the absolute control of the republican
party. Mr.. Mckinley was the most
popular man among the republican
party and everybody three months ago
in the republican party prophesied his
election. How is it to day? Why,
that man who used to boast that be
looked like Napoleon, that man shud-
ders to-day when he thinks that he was
nominated on the anniversary of the
battle of Waterloo.
want to suggest this truth, that il
the gold standard is a good thing we
ought to declare in favor of its reten'
ton and not in favor of abandoning it
and if the gold stand is bad thing
why should we wait until some other
nations are willing to help us to let 60 !!
You come to US and tell Us that the
great cities are in favor oi
the gold standard. / tell you
that the great cities rest upon
these broad and fertile prairies. Burn
Free Pills.