The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-11-10
ADDRESS BY BRYAN
THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE ISSUES
A STATEMENT.
He Reviews the Late Presidential
Campaign and Gives His Reasons
for the Defeat of the Cause of
Which He Was the Leader = He
Declares That the Fight VIII Be
Waged With ViGOr.
Lincoln, Neb., Nov. S.-Mr. Bryan has
given out the following to the bimetal
lists of the United States:

given out the following to the bimetal-
lists of the United States:
Conscious that millions Of loyal hearts
saddened by temporary defeat l beg to
offer a word of hope and encouragement.
No cause ever had supporters more brave,
earnest and devoted than those who have
espoused the cause of bimetallsm. 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 1t, they have nothing TO
regret. The Republican candidate has been
heralded as the advance agent of prosperity.
If 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 injury to
the people generally, those Of his sup
porters who do not belong to the office
holding class, to the privileged classes,
will suffer in common with those who OPP
posed him. The friends of bmetallism have
not been yanquished; they have simply been
overcome. They believe that the gold stand
ard is conspiracy of the money changers
against the welfare of the human race and
until convinced of their error, they Will
continue the warfare against it.
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 cen
mount ISSUE and this has been done in spite
of all attempts upon the part of oppo-
nentS to prevent 1t. The Republican con-
vention held out the delusive hope of inter-
national bimetallism, while Republican
leaders labored secretly for gold none
metal-iSm. Gold standard Democrats have
publicly advocated the election of the In
dianapoIs ticket while they labored secret
ly for the election of the Republican ticket.
The trusts and corporations. have tried
to excite a fear of lawlessness. while they
have been defying the law, and American
fnanciers have boasted that they were
the cuStodians of national honor, while
they were secretly bartering away the ma
TONS financial independence. 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 practiced by corporations en-
ployers. in spite of trusts and syndicates, in
spite of an enormous Republican campaign
fund. and In spite of the influence of
hostile daily press bimetalism has almost
trumphed in its first great fight. The
loss of few states, and that, too, by
very small plurality, has defeated bimetal-
lism for the presentf, but bimetallism
emerged from the contest stronger than it
was for months before.
Their Work Commended.
desire to commend the work of the three
national committees which have joined in
the management of this campaign. Coop
Grafton between the members of distinct
political organizations is always difficult,
hut it has been less so this year than usual.
Interest in a common cause CT great i'm
portance has reduced friction to minimum
/ hereby express my personal gratitude to
the individual members, as we'll as the
executive officers of the national committee
of the Democratic, Popuist and silver par
ties, for their difficult, untiring and unset
fish laborS. They have laid the foundation
for future success, and will be remembered
as pioneers when victory is at last secured
No personal or political friend need grieye
because of my defeat. My ambition has
been to secure immediate legislation rather
than to enjoy the honors of Office There
fore, defeat brings to me no feeling of per-
sonal loss. Speaking for the wife who has
shared my labors, as we'll as for myself,
desire to say that we have been amply re-
paid for all we have done. In the love of
millions of our fellow citizens. kindly ex-
pressed in knowledge gained by personal
contact with the people, and in broadened
sympathies, we find full compensation for
whatever efforts we have put 18th. Our
hearts have been touched by the devotion of
friends, and our lives shall prove our appre
citation of the affection which we prize as
the richest reward which this campaign has
brought
In the face of an enemy rejoicing at its
victory. let the roll be called for the engage
ment, and urge all friends OF bimetallism to
renew their allegiance to the cause. If we
are right, as believe we are, we shall yet
triumph. Until convinced of his error, let
each advocate of bimetallism continue the
work. Let all silver clubs retain their or
ganzation, hold regular meetings and circu-
late literature. Our opponents have sue
ceeded in this campaign, and must now put
their theories to the test. Instead of talk
ing mysteriously about ''sound money" and
''an honest dollar" they must now elaborate
and defend a financial system. Every step
taken by them should be publicly considered
by the silver clubs Our cause has pros
pered most where the money question has
been longest discussed among the people.
During the next four years it will be
studied all over this nation, even more than
1t has been studied in the past.
The year 1900 is not far away. Before
that year arrives those who have called
themselves gold standard Democrats will
become bimetallists and be with us, or be-
come Republicans and thus open enemies
Before that year arrives trusts will have
convinced still more people that trust is
menace to private welfare and to public
safety; before that year arrives, the evils of
n gold standard will be even more evident
than they are now, and the people then
ready to demand an American financial pol
Icy for the American people and will join
with us In the immediate restoration of the
Tree and unlimited coinage of gold and silver
at the present legal ratio of Is to 1, without
waiting for the aid or consent of any other
nation. w. j. Bryan.