The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-12-17
WILLIAM }. BRYAN.
HIS VIEWS AS SET FORTH IN
AN ARTICLE
Pubiish,d d in the North American Re.
view and Herewith Reproduced
Intrepid Leader still Fighting

Following is the complete text Of the
article in the North American Review,
from the pen Of william Jennings Bryan
The battle between bimetallism and
the gold standard is on, and whether the
campaign just closed proves to have been
a decisive engagement or but skirmisb,
It will stand out conspicuously in Ameri.
can history. On the third Of November,
1896, the American people sat in judg'
ment upon the greatest issue ever sub
mitted to them in time Of peace. Every
one who studies the money question,
either from the standpoint Of those who
desire bimetallism or from the standpoint
of those who favor gold standard, must
recognize in 1t a question which trans
cends in Importance any other economic
question which can occupy the attention
of the Ameri can people. When we deter
mine the kind and quantity Of money we
determine the level Of prices, and the
level of prices concerns every family In
the land. For the first time during this
generation the money question has been
the paramount issue Of political cam
paign. For twenty years past the hnan-
clers have succeeded in writing the Imam
cial plank for the conventions OF the two
leading parties and then have controlled
the Presidential nominations. The plat
forms have generally been sufficiently
ambiguous to bear double construction,
and the candidates have usually been
known as safe men, according to the
definition given to that phrase on
change. As a rule, the moneyed interests
have looked after our financial policy,
while the rest of the people have quarreled
over the tariff The Republican party
met in convention last June and at
tempted to again give the tariff question
pre-em inence, but when the Democratic,
Populist and Silver parties agreed in de-
claring for the free and unlimited coinage
of gold and silver at the present legal
ratio of 1G to !, without waiting for the
aid or consent Of any other nation, the
Republicans found it impossible to con-
fine discussion to the tariff issue. In
fact, the silver question soon absorbed
public attention to such an extent that
it became practically the sole political
topic considered throughout the country
People discussed the present legal status
of the silver dollar, the various laws
affecting silver, the amount Of produo-
tion, the cost Of production, etc. etc. TO
the world at large this nation presented
the interesting ana inspiring sight OF
seventy millions of people thinking out
their own salvation. Men whu. had never
spoken in public before became public
speakers mothers, wives, and daughters
debated the relative merits Of the single
and the double standards; business part
nerships were dissolved on account OF
political differences; bosom friends g.
came estranged; families were divided
in fact we witnessed such activity OF
mind and stirring OF heart as this nation
has not witnessed before for thirty years.
Foreign newspapers daily reported the
progress of the campaign and students OF
political economy came from Europe to
obtain closer view of the struggle. 1t
is probable that the money question has
been studied within the last four months
by more people than ever before in all
the history Of the world simultaneously
engaged In its consideration. And what
was the result Of that study Temporary
defeat, but permanent gain for the cause
of bimetallism. 1t Is a significant fact
that the silver sentiment was strongest
where the question had been longest con-
sidered. In the West and South, where the
people has been actively engaged In the
discussion OF bimetalism for several
years, the majority favored the restora-
tion of the money of the constitution.
In the Eastern states, where, until
there was practically no general
consideration of the money question, the
gold sentiment was strongest. There,
the people had, up to the opening Of this
heard only one side. In those
states both parties were against free
coinage; nearly all the leading news
papers were against It.; the banking
interests were against IT. the corporations
were against 1t; and 1t was also opposed
by those influential members of society
who live under the influence of the
financial and corporate interests.
Until the Democratic national conven-
lion adopted an emphatic declaration In |
Iavor of free coinage at 10 to /, our side
1f tine question had few defenders in the
Eastern states. After the convention |
Adjourned, the Democratic party In the
East was reorganized, new men we're
placed in control, ana the work Of edu-
,ation was commenced. The result, in
stead Of being disoouraging, is full of
When before has a great |
,ause made such rapid progress In so short
! time as bimetallism has made in the
heroism been displayed than has been
displayed there this yearS If any one
jhinks that the fight for bimetallsm is
,ver, let him ask himself when q single
lefeat ever disheartened such men as
hose who have this year advocated free,
unlimited and independent ooinageS
When mems convictions are so strong
hat they will face political defeat with
'ut finohinR, defy financial despotism,
md risk social ostraoism in behalf Of a