Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1896-09-23
MI. Bryal's Great Speech i
Richmond.


Richmond.
The meeting at the Auditorium l
Richmond on the 18th, on the occasio
of Mr.. Bryan's speech, surpassed aIl
thing that city has ever seen. Ever
inch of available space in that IN
mense hall was filled, and the eightee
thousand people who listened to tn
great democratic leader evinced the
delight in an ovation which lasted ft
twenty minutes-at the close of which
after graceful introduction by Sens
tor Daniel, he said:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentle
men-It gratifies me much to find j
the capital city of this great State &
marked an evidence of the interes
which the people are taking in thl
campaign. did not come to instruc
you on the subject of finance; it woul
be useless task to add anything t
that which has already been spoke
by the distinguished Senator, who ha
brought to the investigation of tn
money question that ability which h
has carried into all his work, and VIII
adds to ability eloquence to present
and to eloquence a magnificent coul
age to define Democracy as it wa
taught by the fathers. Applause
In State represented by John W
Daniel-to such State no apostle Q
bimetaIlism need come to aid in tn
work of education. am not here q
a campaigner. l am simply here pass
ing through the State; because, o.
friends, would never have come t
Virginia with any thought that m.
presence here was necessary to secur
Democratic votes. Applause.
lam the nominee of three conven
tions, but 1 do not appeal to the vote
of any man on the ground that an
nominated by his party. / have /
higher claim to your SURFACES thai
party ties can give me. appeal t,
you as the only candidate for th,
presidency who believes that til,
American people can have q financia
policy of their own. Great applause.
If there is man who respects part,
regularity, he cannot complain Of the
manner of my nomination. The Dem
ocratic convention which met at Chi
cago represented the voters OF thu
Democratic party more truly. mort
completely, than any convention which
has been held in recent years. Zap
planse. That convention was regu
Iarly called by the regular authority
and delegates were chosen in every
State in the regular manner, and more
than that, the. issues joined between
the friends of free coinage and it's enc
mics were fought out before the pee
pie themselves-the highest tribuna,
known under our form Of government
(Appfause.) The voters-not the boss
the Chicago convention zap
plause), and am proud to bethe nom.
inee of the convention which gave ex.
preston to the hopes, the aspirations
of the common people of the Demo
cratic party. (Applause) But, my
friends, with all this claim to regular
ity, / do not ask single Democrat to
vote for my election. if in his heart he
believes that my election would injure
his country. (Applause.) To me a
party is but a means to the end, and /
shall not feel unkindly toward any
Democrat who honestly and conscien
tiously puts his country above his
party and votes against me, if he be-
lieves that the policies for which /
stand would bring injury to our com
mon country. But, my friends, /
want the man who leaves the Demo
cratic party to find his reason in his
head, or in his heart, and not in his
pocket book. Great applause.)
HOW GAUGE THEIR HONESTY?
How can you tell whether man is
honest when he tells you that the cleo
ton of the Chicago ticket would ipjure
his country l will tell you way to
tell. Amy man who thinks that my
election would injure this country can
prove it in just one way, and that is by
voting for the Republican candidate,
to make sure of my defeat. Applause
and cry of THAT'S hot stuff !'') Don't
tell us that your conscience would
not permit you to vote the Democratic
ticket, and then vote for a boiling
ticket. (Applause.) The Bible tells us
Of man who hid his talent in the
earth, and he was condemned because
be had neglected to improve his op
portunity- ] want to say to you, my
friends, that the ballot is given to a
citizen as a sacred trust, to be used
according to his judgment and his
conscience, and that no man in the
hour of peril has a moral right to
brow his vote away. Applause
Why is it that some Democrats, or
'ather some people who used to be
Democrats. spend the day in telling
you that the election of the G5ihficaeo
icket would ruin tAisco1n country. and
men reInset to cast their votes for the
lyxhan who can defeat the Chicago
lominee? Why is it / will tell you
Why. It is because they haven't the
courage to bear the odium of being
Great applause, and
Try of Hit him again.'o
ENGAGED IN A GREAT STRUGGLE.
Ny friends, we are engaged IN
,reat struggle-the greatest struggle
q which the people of this country
we're ever engaged in time of perez. It
8 struggle between Democracy on
he one side, and plutocracy ON the
'ther, and there is no middle ground
or any man. (Applause.) They who
re not for us are against US lcries of
Right you are!'') and " 9 would have
he more respect for them if they were
lonest enough to go where they belong.
Now. my friends, as have said, we
sppeal to no man to go contrary to his
conscience and His judgment, but II
want to warn you who are contemplate
ng desertion from the Democratic
'arty at this time, that the man who.
the face of such an enemy, either
'oes to the rear or is found in secret
difference with the enemy, is a traitor
n whom the brand shall be placed. |
nd he shall not come back again.
treat applause My friends, these
ssistant Republicans, whose hearts
re willing. but, whose flesh is weak |
aughter)- thess assistant Republi l
ans may as weS understand now thatI
he contest in synich we are engaged
not confession this year alone. II
elieve that VIZ shall win now. but
neither we YIN now or not, we have
egun a w&rfare against the gold
sandard, axd that warfare shall con
nue. until Ehe gold standard is driven
'om our shores back to England. CAD.
lause.) Fe have been opposed to the
nportatibn of criminals and paupers
ON abroad, and we shall oppose the
nparta fon of a financial system which
crimis5al, and which makes paupers
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