Evening star., 1896-11-06
Bryan Issues an Address to the Silver
Men.
SAYS THEY HAVENOrHING TO REGRET
They Have Not Been Vanquished,
Simply Overcome.
THEIR BELIEF UNSHAKEN

spent the forenoon today preparing an ad-
dress to the silver men. He continues to
receive inquiries concerning the result of
the election. and many, accepting his ac-
quiescence In the result rs final, pledge him
their support in continuing the fight for
free silver and for the presidential nomina-
ticn four years hence. He has wired his
thanks to the national democratic COM
mittee through Senator Jones for the work
done in his behalf.
He later gave out the following:
ITO the bimetallists of the United States:
Conscious that millions of loyal hearts
are saddened by temporary defeat, l beg
to offer a word of hope and encourage
ment. No cause ever had supporters more
brave. earnest and devoted than those who
have espoused the cause of bimetallism
They have fought from conviction ard 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 the advance agent of pros
perity. 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 in
jury to the people generally, those of his
supporters who do not belong to the office
holding class. or to the privileged classes,
posed him.
The friends of bimetallism have not been
vanquished: they have simply been over
come They believe that the gold standard
is a 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
great odds. For the first time during
this generation public attention has Deen
centered upon the monay question as the
paramount issue. and this has been done
in spite Of all attempts upon the part OF
our opponents to prevent it. The republ:-
can convention held out the delusive hope
of International bimetallism. while repub-
lican leaGers labored secretly for gold
monometall.sm. Gold standard democrats
have publicly advocated the election OF
the Indianapolis ticket. while they
labored secretly for the election OF
the republican ticket. The trusts and cor
porations have tried to excite fear of
lawlessness. while they have been defy
ing the law. and American fnanciers have
beasted that they were the custodians of
national honor. while they were secretly
bartering away the nations financial In
dependence.
But In spite of the efforts of the ad-
ministration and ITS supporters; in spite OF
the threats of money loaners at home and
abroad: In spite of the coercion practiceo
by corporations and employers: In spite
of trusts and syndicates; in spite of an
enormous republican campaign fund, ano
In spite Of the influence of hostile daily
press. bimetalHsm has almost triumphed
in its first great fight.
THE loss of a few states, and that, too,
by q very small plurality, has defeated bi
metallism for the present, but bimetallism
emerges from the contest stronger than it
vas four months ago.
II desire to commend the work of the
three national committees which have join
ed in the management of this campaign.
Cooperation between the members of dis
tipct political organizations is always diff
ficult, but 1t has been less so this year than
usual Interest In a common cause Of great
Importance has reduced friction to a mini
mum 1 hereby express my personal graft
tude to the Individual members, as well as
the executive officers of the national com
mittee of the democratic. populistic and
silver pafties for their efficient. untirlng
and unselfish 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
greve because OF my defeat. My ambition
has been to secure immediate legislation
rather than to enjoy the honors of office
Therefore, defeat brings to me no feeling
of personal loss.
Speaking for the wife who has shared
my labors. as we'll as for myself. 1 desire
TO say that we have been amply repaid for
all that we have done. In the love of mil
lions of our fellow citizens. SO kindly ex-
contact with the people and in broadened
sympathies. We find full compensa ton for
whatever efforts We have put forth. Our
hearts have been touched by the devotion
OF friends and our lives shall prove our ap-
probation of the affection which we prize
as the richest reward which this campaign
has brought.
In the face of an enemy rejoicing in its
victory. let the roll be called for the en-
gagement. and urge all friends of bimetal-
lism TO renew their allegiance to the cause
If We are right. as 1 believe we are we
shall yet triumph Until convinced of his
error, let each advocate of bfmetaIlfsm
continue the work. Let all silver clubs re-
tain their organization. hold regular meet
inss and circulate literature. Our oppo-
nents have succeeded in this campaign and
must now put their theories to the test
instead of talking mysteriously about
sound money and an honest dollar they
must now elaborate and defend a finan-
cial system. Every step taken by them
should be publicly considered by the silver
clubs.
Our cause has prospered most where the
money question has been longest discussed
among the people. During the next four
years 1t 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 International b,mstallism
Will cease to deceive; before that year
arrives those who have called themselves
gold standard democrats will become b.
Hetalilsts and be with US or they will he
come repubE cans 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 a gold standard will be even more evil
dent than they are now, and the people
VIII then be ready to demand an American
financial policy for the American peopIe
and VIII join with us in the Immediate
restoration of the free and unlimited coin
age OF gold and silver at the present legal
ratio OF 16 to ], without waiting for the aid
or consent of any other nation.
wv. j. BRYAN