Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-10-04
PITHY AND POINTED.
Mr. Bryan's Letter Accepting the Populis
omination-Silver Vote Must Be Concen-
trated Upon One Electoral Ticket.

st. Louis, Mo-. Oct. 3.-William J. Bry-
an today gave out his letter accepting
the populist nomination. 1t reads as fol-
lows:
Lincoln, Neb., Oct. 8, 1896.
Gentlemen The nomination OF the
peoples party for the presidency of the
United States has been rendered me in
such generous spirit and upon such
honorable terms that am able to accept
the same without departing from the
platform adopted by the national conven-
tion at Chicago.
l fully appreciate the breadth of the
patriotism which has actua ted the MEM
bers of the peoples party, who, in order
to consolidate the sentiment In favor of
bimetallism have been willing to go out
side of party lines and support as their
candidate one already named by the
democratic party, and also by the silver
party.
l also appreciate the fact that while
during all the years since 1873 a large ma
jority of the democratic party and a con-
siderable minority of the republican par
ty have been consistent advocates of the
free coinage of silver at the present ratio,
yet since the organization of the peoples
party its members have unanimously
supported such coinage as the only
means of restoring bimetalism. By per-
sstently pointing out the disastrous
effects of a gold standard and protesting
against each successive step towards
financial bondage, the peoples party
have exerted an important influence in
awakening the public to a realization .of
the nations political peril.
In time like this, when a great politi-
cal party is attempting to surrender the
right to legislate for ourselves upon the
financial question and Is seeking to bind
the American people to a foreign none
tary system, 1t behooves us as lovers of
our country and friends of American in
stitutions to lay aside for the present
such differences as may exist among us
on minor questions, In order that our
strength may be united in a supreme
effort to wrest the government from the
hands of those who imagine that the ma
tion's finances are only secured when
controlled by a few financiers and that
national honor can only be maintained by
serving acquiescence in any policy, how
ever destructive, to the interests of the
people of the United States, which for
eign creditors, present or prospective.
may desire to force upon us.
1t is a cause of congratulation that we
have in this campaign not only the sup.
port of democrats, populists and republi-
cans who have all along believed in in
dependent bimetallism, but also the act
I've cooperation of those democrats and
republicans who have heretofore waited
for International bimetalism, but now
DIN with us rather than trust the destin-
les of the nation in the hands of those
who are holding out the delusive hope
of foreign aid while they labor secretly
for the permanent establishment of the
single gold standard.
While difficulties have always arisen in
the settlement of details of any plan of
cooperation between distinct political or
ganizations am sure that the advocates
of bimetallism are so intensely In earnest
that they will be able to devise some
means by which the free silver vote may
be concentrated upon one electoral ticket
in each state. To secure this result,
charity towards the opinion of others and
liberality on the part of all Is necessary,
but honest and sincere friends who are
working towards common result al
ways find 1t possible to agree upon just
and equitable terms.
The American people have proved equal
to every emergency which has arisen in
the past and am confident that in the
present emergency there will be no an
tagonism between the various regiments
of the one great army which is marching
to repel an invasion more dangerous to
our welfare than an army with banners
Acknowledging with gratitude your ex-
preston of confidence and good will,
am. yours very truly,
w. J. BRYAN.