Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1896-11-10
Mr.. sryan,s Address.
aro the b~imetalIists of the Unite.

and encouragement. No cause ever
had supporters more brave, arnes
and devoted than those who have es-
poused the cause Of bimetallism.
They have fought from conviction
and have fought with all the zeal
which conviction inspires. Events
will prove whether they are right or
wrong. Having done their duty as
they saw it. they have nothing to
regret. 1.-THE republican candidate
has been heralded as the advance
agent of prosperity. II his policies
bring real prosperity to the American
people. those who opposed him will
share in that prosperity. If, on the
other hand, his policies prove an in
jury to the people generally, those OF
his supporters who do not belong to
the oficeholding class, OF to the
privileged classes, will suffer in COM
mon with those who opposed him.
1.-The friends of bimetallism have
not been vanquisheG they have
simply been overcome. They believe
that the gold standard is a conspiracy
of the money changers against the
welfare of the human race, and until
convinced of their error they will con-
tinue the warfare against it.
1.-The contest has been waged this
year under great embarrassments and
against great odds. For the first
time during this generation public
attention has been centered upon the
money question a s the paramount is
sue, and this has been done in spite
of all attempts upon the part of our
opponents to PREVENT it. The Repub-
lican convention held out the delusive
hope of international bimetallism,
while Republican leaders labored Sc
cretly for gold recommendation. Gold
standard Democrats have publicly
advocated the election of the Indian
apolis ticket, while they labored Sc
cretly for the election of the Republi-
can ticket. The trusts and corpora
tons have tried to excite a fear of
la~wlesseness, while they have been
defying the law, and American finan-
ciers have boosted that they were
the custodians of national honor,
while they were secretly bartering
away the nation's financial indepen-
dence.
.'But in spite of the efforts of the
administration and its supporters in
spite of the threats of money loaners
at home and abroad in spite of the
coercion practlced by corporations
and employers; in spite of trusts and
s%yndicates in spite of an enormous
Republican campaign fund, and in
spite of the influence of q hostile
daily press, bimetallism has almost
triumphed in its first great fight.
1.-The loss CT a few states, and that,
too, by a very small plurality, has
defeated bimetallism for the present,
but bimetallism energies from the
contest stronger than it was four
months ago.
81 desire to commend the work of
the three national committees which
have joined in the management of
this campaign. Cooperate on between
the members of distinct political
organizations is always difficult, but
it has been less so this year than
usual. Interest in a common cause
of great Importance has reduced fric-
ton to a minimum. / hereby ex-
press my personal gratitude to the
individual members, as well as the
executive officers of the national
committee of the Democratic, Popu-
Iistic and Silver parties for their eff
ficient. untiring and unseIi5h Iabors.
They have laid the foundation for fu-
tare success, and will be remembered
as pioneers when victory is at last Sc
cured.
mo personal or political friend
need grieve because of my defeat
My ambition has been to secure i'm
mediate legislation rather than to en-
joy the honors of office. Therefore,
defeat brings to me no feeling of
personal loss.
Speaking for the wife who has
shared my Iabors, as well as for my
self, L desire to say that we have
been amply repaid for all that we
have done. In the love of millions
Of our fellow citizens, so kindly ex-
pressed, in knowledge gained by
personal contact with the people and
in bro adened ~sympathies, we find
full compensation for whatever eff
forts we have put forth. Our hearts
have been touched by the devotion
of friends and our lives shall prove
our appreciation of the affection
which we prize as the richest re-
ward which this campaign has
brought.
I'm the face of an enemy rejoicing
i'll its victory, let the roll be called
for the engagement, and urge all
friends of bimetallism TO renew their
allegiance 10 the cause. If we
are right, as L believe we are,
we shall yet triumph. Until CON
WINGED of his error, let each advocate
of bimetallism continue the work.
Let all silver clubs retain their or
garization, hold regular meetings
and circulate literature. Our oppo-
nents have succeeded in this cam
paign and must now put their theories
the test. Instead of talking mys-
seriously about sound money and
IAN honest dollar they must now
elaborate and defend a financial sys-
TEN. Every step taken by them
should be publicly considered by the
silver clubs.
.'Our cause has prospered most
where the money question has been
discussed among the people.