Red Lodge picket. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1889-1907, 1896-08-01

populist cheer and support them in then
heroic work. We will all march undel
i the same flag, keep step TO the same mu-
! Sic face the same foe, share IN ana shou'
| over the same triumph.
We cannot be mistaken concerning the
real isue involved in the struggle OF the
present year. 1t is betWee! the gold
standard gold bonds and bank currency
on the one hand, and the bimetalllc
standard, no bonds, and government cur
rency on the other. The people are asked
to choose between enforced idleness, des-
, titution, debt, bankruptcy and despair on
the one side and the open door OF op-
portnnity under just laws and normal
conditions on the other.
A Mighty Civic Question.
The situation presents the mtGhtlest
civic question that ever convulsed a civ
:lzed nation. The conflict can neither be
postponed nor avoided. Ia the name of
the suffering people | affirm that this is
no me for dissension nor party divisions.
The supreme hour for action has arrived.
If we would be victorious we must make
common cause w tn the heroic men who
dominated the Chicago convention. No
other cause is either prudent or deSira ble.
We not asked to abandon our party,
nor would it be wise to do 50. If it is to
compelled to that course which [ am
about to ind cate The silver democrats
have lined up as an organization; now
let the populiSts, free silver republicans
and the American silver party 90 like
wise. Form an embattled square-inpen-
etrable to the assaults of the confeder
ated gold power. After due consideration,
n which l have fully canvassed every
possible phase Of the subject, I have fail
to find eli 10
fy in placing a third ticket in the
field. The eXigencies of the hour imper-
atively demand that there shall be but
one. | would not endorse the distinguish
ed gentlemen named at Chicago l would
nominate them outright and make them
our own, and then share justly and right
fully in their election. The situation is a
striking veriticat:on of the old adage that
the path Of duty is the path OF safety.
Take this course and all opposition Will
practically disappear in the southern and
western states, and We can tnen turn our
attention to other parts of the field
Take any other and you endanger the en-
tire situation and strengthen the arm Of
our comon adversary.
One Champion at Hand.
If you allow tne present happy juncture
to pass, all the heroic work of 20 years
will be thrown to the winds. Our guiding
hand will disappear in the momentous
conflict just when it should be stretched
forth to steady the ark of our covenant.
We would prove to the world that we are
devoid of capacity to grasp the great OPP
portun ties and lacking in strength to
grapple with prodigious emergencies. The
people have a gallant champion in the
field, who is leading a revolt against the
plutocracy of Christendom. Every op-
pressor, every plutocrat in two hemis-
pheres, has turned his guns upon him.
The suds died organs have openly pro-
claimed that he must be crushed by any
means at whatever cost. The confeder
ated monopolies have lain aside their par
ties and their politics and are marching
in hot haste against him. Let US signal |
to h m to hold the fort-that we are com
ing-and then hasten to his relief. Cen |
tlemen, | want to say to you in all earn |
eStnesS, that aSSailed is this gallant |
knight by the sleuth hounds of the money |
power OF the world, you may deliberate
here as long as you please, but you can |
not prevent the people from rushing 20 |
the support of their recognized defender |
and leader. If you will not say the word |
hey will break over all restra Mt and go |
leaders or no leaders, and |
nay God bless them for so doing.
Therefore, in obedience to my highest |
'egard to duty, with solemn conviction
hat | am right, place il lo1f2ins., nn for
q >
inguished gentleman, who, let it be re-
mbereA has already been three times
by the populst party of his own
for representative in congress,
,nce for United States senator, and only
asst week for the presidency. | name
hat matchess champion of the people,
hat intrrpd d foe of corporate greed, that
splendid young statesman, William }.
5ryan of Nebraska.
The Vote Began.
The roll call went on to the end, Chair
nan Allen still declining to permit the
On Aliens refusal, Gov
rnor Stone retired from the Platform,
ollowed by Patterson and several others.
While Washington was being poled, Is
latius Donnelly mounted chair and an
bounced that he understood Bryan mad
ent a telegram to the convention declin-
ng to accept the nomination.
He then announced the official vote as
ollows: Bryan 1912, Norton 30l. Donnelly
II was then top p. N. Bediam was of
curse loosencd and pandemonium reign
q for Is or 20 minutes. The Texas, Ar
ansas and Maine middle Of the road
nen with their guidons together took 70
art in the demonstratic:,. The middle
f the road" men, about 800 in number,
nally massed about their standards on
he left of the hall and made a counter
ton. They Cheered and yelled
nd pushed and fought for 10 minules.
Me sergeantat-arms was poWerless, and
fter rapping for order for five minutes
he chairman declared Bryan the noni-
ee of the convention