The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-17

words I have every respect for the
opinion of those who differ from US.
There are men, there are great men,
there are good men, who do not agree
to the restoration of silver Let US not
speak of them in terms Of denuncia-
ton Aye, my friends, my heart IS SAD
tonight because of the news received
this afternoon that one of the most II
lustriOus of Democrats of the east who
differed from US honestly upon this
great question has suddenly passed
away, and know that when I an
nounce to this great audience that ex-
Governor VIM. E. Russell was this af-
ternOon suddenly touched by the nm
ger of death, that you will agree with
me in leaping across the differences
that separate US and bowling with rev
erence and respect over his hfeless
body.
Let US not speak harshly of those
who differ with US. Let US remember
that they, too, are attempting to serve
their country according to their con-
sciences and according to their judg-
ment, but let this be a fight of princt-
pies, not men. Let it be a contest,
and not bitter warfare between con-
tending persons But, my friends,
while we have all charity for those who
differ from US and while we concede
to them the right to wage this war as
best they can and by every honorable
means secure that legislation they
think to be best, I impress upon you
that you have an equal right with any
ence felt in dealing with the destinies
of this republic.
I'VE have our homes and our families
to consider and they have none to pro-
tect them but US and if we fail in our
duty their interests must be neglected.
I believe to the very bottom Of my
heart, believe and the belief touches
every part of my being, that when we
restore silver to it's place by the side
of gold, to the place it occupied for so
many years, so many centuries, so
many ages, there can be lasting pros
perity brought back to the homes or
those who toll. (Deafening applause.)
They tell US that they want confidence
restored We reply that confidence
must have a substantial basis upon
which to rest (great appIause) and that
so long as you 1egislate value out OF
property there is nothing substantial
upon which confidence can rest. Gap
plause.) If they tell US that they want
an honest dollar, we tell them that we
vie with them in our desire for an
honest dollar; we beg them to give US
a dollar which is as kind to the man
who produces wealth as to the man
who holds fixed investments; dollar
that smiles upon man who owes
debt just as much as it does upon
the man who holds mortgage. (Great
applause)
I am not treading in new paths, nor
trespassing upon dangerous grounds
when I tell you that a dollar that rises
in value is a dangerous dollar, a dollar
which reaps where it does not SOW,
which gives to its pOsseSOr an unearned
increment, which is taken out of the
sweat and blood of those who toll, ana
if a man who owns dollar desires that
sort of a dollar he fOrgets the equities
of the case. There is no reason why
the producers of wealth should bow
down and worship a dollar destroying
them and their chances for existence.
But I want to appeal to you to study
this question for yourselves. 1 want
to suggest two things for you to think
about. They tell you that the gold
standard is the standard of civilization
If they tell you that. let me suggest an
answer that is complete. If the gold
standard is the standard of civilization
why is it the United States, the leader
in civilization OF the old world, has
never declared for the gold standard?
Great cheering and continued ap-
plause) If the gold standard is the
standard of civilization, why is it that
no national party in the history of the
United States has ever declared that
the gold standard is good thing. Gap
A Voice-"The Republican party
did"
Mr.. Bryan-'You say the Republican
party did? No it did not. The Re
publican party declared that the gold
standard should be maintained until
something could be substituted for it
(Great applause and laughter). Then
what was that something (App1ause)
It was bimetallism. And they pledged
themselves to get rid of the gold stand
ard and substitute bimetalliSm as
better thing than a gold standard Gap
plause and laughter) If the gold stand
ard is a good thing, why should we try
to get rid of it? daughter and ap-
plause). If it is a bad thing, why
should we keep it for a single moment?
applause and cries of Good. good;
God bless you Bryan'O.
IF my friends, they dare upon any
stump, uopn any platform or in any
state to advocate the gold standard as
a good thing, We point to the Republi-
can platform as conclusive evidence
that the principle of biInetallism is bet
ter than the principle involved in the
gold standard and if they admit that
the double standard is better than
single gold standard and tell US this
nation iSunable to sustain 1t without the
aid and consent of other nations, we
hurl back defiance to them and tell
them that this nation is great enough
to legislate for its own people without
waiting for the aid or consent of any
other nation on earth (CheerS and ap-
plause). Which course will they take?
They dare not take either course. They
dare not meet the issue on the money
question because there is no ground
upon which they can stand If they
had declared for a gold standard they
might have advocated it, but having
declared against a gold standard they
dare not ask the verdict of their cCun-
trymen on this proposition
I have no fear of the verdict OF the
people. Aye, when we were but three
millions we were willing to declare our
political independence; when we are 20
millions shall we be afraid to declare
our financial independence Great ap-
plause and cries of NO, nO'D. Why in
our platform we declare in favor of the
Monroe doctrine. We are in favor of
this nation protecting a little nation
like Venezuela, from an act of wrong
Are we great enough to go to South
America and protect Venezuela Gap
plause). And can we do that and shall
we say we are not able to protect our
and cries of No, nO'').
NV 7 fO Iooua