Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1896-11-12
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 lie Was the Leader He
Declares That the Fight Will BE
Wascd With Vigor.

DccAarSH A'nut the n ABht Will DC
Wnscd With Vigor.
Lincoln, Neb., Nov. S.-Mr. Bryan has
given out the following to the bimetal-
lists Of the United States:
Conscious that millions of loyal hearts
are slddened by temporary defeat. beg to
offer word of hope and encouragement.
No cause ever had supporters more brave.
earnest and devoted than those who have
espousrd the cause of bimctallism. 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 .av II, they have nothing to
regret. The Republican candidate has been
hcralae;i as the Advance agent of prosperity.
If his policies bring real prosperity to the
American people those who opposed him
will share i'll 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. or to the privileged classes.
Will suffer in common with those who OPP
posed him. The friends of bmetalism have
not been vanquishcd; they have simply been
overcome. They believe that the gold stand
ard is a conspiracy of the money changers
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
tered upon the money question as the para
mount issue, and this has been done in spite
OF all attempts upon the part of our oppo-
nents to prevent it. The Republican con-
vention held out the dclusive hope Of inter-
national bimetallism, while Republican
leaders labored secretly for gold none
metallism. Gold standard Democrats have
publicly advocated the election Of the In
dianapolis ticket, while they labored secret
ly for the election Of the Republican ticket.
The trusts and corporations have tried
to excite fear of lawlessness, while they
have been defying the law. and American
financiers have boosted 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 a
hostile daily press, bimctallism has almost
triumphed in its first great fight. The
loss of few states, and that. too. by a
very small plurality has defeated bimetal-
lism for the presentti. but bmetallism
emerged from the contest stronger than it
was for months before.
Their Work Commended.
1 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
but it has been less SO this year than usual
Interest in a common cause of great i'm
portance has reduced friction to minimum.
l hereby express my personal gratitude to
the individual members, as we'll as the
executive officers of the national committee
of the Democratic. Populist 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 grieve
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, I
desire to say that we have been amply re-
paid for all 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 broadened
sympathies. We find full compensation for
whatever efforts we have put forth. 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 lot the roll be called for the engage.
ment, and urge all friends of bimeta,lism to
renew their allegiance to the cause If we
are right, as l believe we are, we shall vet
triumph. Until convinced of his error, let
euc., advocate of bimetallism continue the
work. Let ali silver clubs retain their Or
ganization, hots regular meetings and circu-
late literature. Our opponents have sue
ceeded i'll this campaign, and mist now put
their theories to the test. Instead of talk
ing mysteriously about "sound money" and
can 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
it 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 Dimeta!liStS and be with us, or be-
come Republicans and thus open enemies.
Before that year arrives trusts will have
convinced still more people that a trust is
menace to private welfare and to public
safety: before that year arrives, the evils of
IL 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
nd mi a6 oni uNO Ofp n1 eli
at the present legal ratio of 16 to /, without
waiting for the aid or consent of any other
nation. w. j. Bryan.
Ratification Meeting