West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1896-08-27

dealcd. HeHTB Clay himself could not
hare created so great furorc.
AMOS j. CUMMINGS
! BrBons speech irds the finest I hare ercr
listened TO. JOHN T.. ALTGELD.
Here is the speech by w. j. Bry-
an in the national convention at
Chicago that made him famous and
that nominated him for the presi-
dcncy:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN OF THE
CONVENTION:
would be presumptuous indeed 10
present myself against the distinguished
gentleman to whom you have listened
If this Were but a measuring Of ability,
but this is not a contest among persons.
The humblest citizen in all tho land
when clad in the armor Of righteous
cause is stronger than all the whole
hosts of error that they can bring. l
come to speak TO you in defense OF
cause AS holy as the cause of hberty-the
cause of humanity.
When this debate is concluded, mo-
ton will be made to lay upon the table
the resolution offered in commendation
of the administration, and also the res
olution in condemnation OF the admin
istration. / shall object to bringing this
question down TO level OF persons.
Tho individual is an atomic is born,
be acts. he dies-but principles are eter-
nal, and this has been contest of prin-
ciple.
Never before in tho history Of this
country has there been witnessed such a
contest ~ that through which we have
passed. Never before in the history Of
American politics has great issue been
| fought out as this Issue has been by the
voters themselves. On tho 4th Of March,
! 1895, few Democrats, most of them
members of congress, issued an address
| to the Democrats Of the nation asserting
that the money question was the para
mount issue of the hour, asserting also
the right Of majority of the Demo
cratic party to control tho position Of
the party on this paramount issue, con-
GLIDING with tho request that all believ-
ers in free coinage of silver in the Dem
ocratic party should organize and take
charge Of and control the policy of the
Democratic party.
Three months later, at Memphis, an
organization was perfected and the sill
yer Democrats went forth openly and
boldly and courageously proclaiming
| their belief and declaring that If success.
full thcy would crystalline in a platform
tho declaration which they had made,
and then began the conflict with zeal
approaching the zeal which inspired the
/ crusaders who followed Peter the Her
nit. Our silver Democrats went forth
from victory unto victory until they are
assembled now, not to discuss, not to
debate, but TO enter the judgment rem
dered by the plain people Of this coun-
try.
In this contest brother has been ar
rayed against brother and father against
son. The warmest ties Of love and
acquaintance and association have been
disrogorded. Old leaders have been cast
aside when they refused to give express
sion to the sentiments Of those whom
they would lead, and now leaders have
sprung up 10 give direction 70 this cause
Of truth.
Thus has the contest been wagcd, and
VIC have assembled here under as bird
mg aud solemn instructions as were
ever fastened upon tho representatives
Of people. Wedo not come az individ-
uals. Why, as individuals we might
havo been glad to compliment the gem
tlcman from New York fSonator Hill.
But VIC knew that the people for whom
wc speak would never bo willing TO put
him in position where he could thwart
tho Will of tho Democratic party. 1
say IL was not n question Of persons; 60
was a question Of principle, ana IL IS
not with gladncss, my friends, that we
6nd ourselves brought into conflict with
those who are now arrayod on tho other
side
Tho gentleman who just preceded
} fCoverytor RueecI) smoke Of tho Cd