Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-11-13
BRYAN'S ADDRESS.
CHEF OF THE SILVER FORCES
TO THE PEOPLE.
4 Ringing address TO Bimetaiists-
II the Result IL Not as FrOmise Il
the Fight Must lle RencWcd.

" To the Bimetalli,t> Of the United
States: Conscious that millions of
| luval hearts are Saddcned hv this
temporary defeat, | beg to oiltra word
of hope and encouragement. No
cause ever had supporters more brave,
earnest and devoted than those who
have espouSed the cause of bimetallism
They have fought from conviction and
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
it, they have nothing to regret. The
Republican candidate has been her
aided as the advance agent Of pros
perity. Ii his politics bring real
prosperity to the American people
those who opposed him will share in
that prosperity. If, on the other
hand, his politics prove an injury to
the people generally, those supporters
who do not belong to the office hold
ing class or to the privileged class will
suffer i'll common with those who OPP
posed him. The friends of bimetal-
lism believe that the gold standard is
Il conspiracy of the money changers
against the welfare OF the human race
and until convinced OF their error
they will continue their warfare
against it. The contest has been
waged this year under great embar-
easements and against odds.
"For the first time during this gem
Grafton public attention has been
ccntered upon the money question as
the paramount issue, and this has been
done in spite OF all the attempts upon
the part of our opponents to prevent
it. The Republican convention held
out a dclusive hope of international
bimetallism, while the Republican
leaders labored secretly for gold
monometallism. The gold standard
Democrats have publicly advocated
the election of the indianapolis
ticket, while they labored secretly
for the election of the Repub-
lican ticket. Trusts and corpora
tions have tried to excite fear of law
lessncss. while they themselves have
been defying the law, and American
financiers have boosted that they were
the custodians of the national honor
while they were secretly bartering
away the nations financial in
dependence. But in spite of the ef-
forts of the administration and its
supporters, in spite of threats OF money
lenders at home and abroad, in spite of
coercion practiced by corporations and
employers, in spite of trusts and
syndicates, in spite of an enormous
Republican campaign fund, and in
spite of the influence of Il hostile daily
press, bimetallism has almost tri-
umphed in its first great fight. The
loss of few States, and that, too, by
very small pluralities, has defeated
bimetallism for the present, but BIZ
metallism energies from the contest
stronger than it was four months ago.
/ desire to commend the worth of the
three national committees which have
joined i'll the management of the CAM
paign. Cooperation between members
of distinct political organizations is
always difficult, but it has been less
so this year than usual. Interest in
a common cause of great Importance
has reduced friction to minimum.
81 hereby express my personal graft
tude to the individual members, rs
we'll as to the executive officers of the
National Committee of the Democratic,
Populist and Silver parties for efficient,
untiring and unselfish labOrs. We
have laid the foundation for future
success and will be remembered as
pioneers when victory is at last Sc
cured. No personal or political friends
need grieve because of my defeat. My
ambition has been to secure immedi-
alton legislation rather than to enjoy
honOrs of Office. Therefore defeat
brings to me no personal feeling of
loss. Speaking for the wife who
shared my labOrs, as we'll as for my
self, desire to say that we have been
amply repaid for all that we have
done. In the love of millions of our
fellow citizens so kindly expressed, in
the knowledge gained by personal con-
tact with people and in broadened
sympathies we find full compensation
for whatever efforts we have put forth.
Our hearts have been touched by the
devotion of friends, and our lives shall
prove our appreciation of 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 an
engagement and urge all friends of
bimetallism to renew their allegiance
to the cause.
STAND FIRM.
"If we are right, rs l believe we are,
we shall yet triumph. Until con-
WINGED of his error let each advocate
of bimetallism continue to work. Let
all silver clubs retain their Organiza-
ton, hold regular meetings and circu-
late literature. Our opponents 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
financial system.
Every step taken by them should
be publicly considered by silver clubs.
Our cause has prospered most where
the money question has been longest
discussed among the people. During
the next four years it will be studied
all over this nation even more than it
has been studied in the past. The
year 1900 is not far away. Before that
year arrives those who have called
themselves gold standard Democrats
will become bimetallists and be with
our party, or become Republicans and
thus open enemies; before that year
arrives trusts will have convinced still
more the people that trust is men,
ace to private welfare and to public
safety; before that year arrives the
evils of the gold standard will be even
more evident than they are now; and
people will be ready to demand an
American financial policy for the
American people and will join with lis
in the immediate restoration of the
free and unlimited coinage of gold and
cilvar Of tho prncapf laval rotin 20 1e