The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1896-07-25


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-
dency:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN OF THE
CONVENTION:
/ would be presumptuous indeed to
present myself against the distinguished
gentleman to whom you have listened
if this were but measuring of ability,
but this is not contest among persons.
The humblest citizen in all the land
when clad in the armor Of a righteous
cause is stronger than all the whole
hosts of error that they can bring. !
come to speak to you in defense Of a
cause as holy as the cause of liberty-the
cause Of humanity.
When this debate is concluded, a mo-
ton will be made to lay upon the table
the resolution offered in commentator
of the administration, and also the res
olution in condemnation of the admin
istration. shall object to bringing this
question down to a level of persons
The individual is an atomic is born,
he acts, he dies-but principles are eter-
nal, and this has been contest of prin-
ciple.
Never before in the history of this
country has there been witnessed such a
contest as 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 the 4th of March,
1896, 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 a majority Of the Demo
cratic party to control the position of
the party on this paramount issue, con-
Guiding with the request that all believ-
ers in free coinage Of silver in the Dem
ocratic party should organize aud 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 they would crystalline in a platform
the 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
disregarded. Old leaders have been cast
aside when they refused to give express
sion to the sentiments of those whom
they would lead, and new leaders have
sprung up to give direction to this cause
of truth.
Thus has the contest been waged, and
we have assembled here under as bind
ing and solemn instructions as were
ever fastened upon the representatives
of people. Wedo not come as individ-
uals Why, as individuals we might
have been glad to compliment the gen.
tleman from New York [Senator Hill.
But we knew that the people for whom
we speak would never be willing to put
him in position where he could thwart
the will Of the Democratic party. I
say it was not question of persons; it
was question Of principle, and it is
not with gladness, my friends, that we
find ourselves brought into conflict with
those who are now arrayed on the other
side.
The gentleman who just preceded