The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1896-10-14
Bryan's Campaign Speeches.

Expects the Votes of Democrats, Pop
ulists and Silver Republicans.
Why Corporations Oppose Him.
Ladies and Gentlemen-In this
capital of West Virginia, I desire to
express for the very cordial welcome
which has been extended to me by
the members of the triple Alliance.
I frd here upon the platform Dem
ocrats, Republicans, Populists, mem
bers Of all parties who, while differ
ing among themselves on minor
questions, are united in their deter
mination to restore to the people OF
this country the gold and silver coin
age of the constitution. (Applause.)
I am believer not only in the right
of the people to govern themselves,
but also in their ability to govern
themselves. (Applause } They may
be Indifferent al times, but the Amer
lean people will arise to any great
emergency.
We may differ in opinion upon
policies suggested by various parties,
but my friends, whenever any party
in this nation denies the ability Of
the nation to have such a financial
policy as the American people want
to have, other questions disappear
and we stand united to vindicate the
right of self government. Those
who have been Republicans in the
past; those who have voted the Re-
publican ticket from the time the
party was organized, find ample
excuse for departing from that
party this year. Go back to 1888
and you will find that the Republi-
can party declared for gold and sill
YER as standard money, and even
went so far as to denounce the Dem
ocratic party for trying to demone-
tie silver. (Applause.)
In 1892 the national convention of
the Republican party declared that
the American people from tradition
and interest were in favor of bime-
tallism. Tie Republicans who be-
lieve in bimetallism are determined
to punish the Republican party, and
I am perfectly willing to act as the
instrument in their hands of doing
the Furnishing. daughter and ap-
plause) I say we are entitled to the
votes of silver Republicans. (Ap-
plause) We are entitled to the vot-
es of the Populists also IA voice
and you'll get them) because a large
majority of the Democrats have al
ways been in favor Of the free coinage
of silver at 16 to 1 and large minor
ity of the Republicans have been for
free coinage at 16 to 1.
'sNow let me call your attention to
the fact that our opponents are not
fighting an open battle. (Cries OF
no, no.) They are not giving their
real reasons for opposing the success
of our ticket. You find the heads OF
great railroads saying that if we have
free coinage Of silver it is going to
injure their employees and therefore
they are worrying about the free
coinage of silver. (Applause.) These
corporations are more opposed to
the income tax which would make
them contribute something to sup,
port the government than they are
to free silver. (Applause.) They
are more opposed to thatplank which
demands arbitration of the differences
which arise between railroads en-
gagged in interstate commerce and
and their employees than they are to
free silver. (Applause.) They are
more opposed to that plank in the
platform which opposes governing
by injunction than they are to free
silver. (Applause.) And yet, IN
their argument against our party
they spend all their time worrying
over so cent dollars and never men
tion the real reason for their oppo-
sition. (Great applause.)
Ny friends, We are willing to
meet them on any ground, but the
great issue in this campaign is going
to be the money question,
and when that question is
settled and the American peo
ple have vindicated their right to
attend their own business, they can
take up all the other matters piece