Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1896-11-14
BRYAN'S STATEMENT.
BimetalliSts Have no Reason TO be
Discouraged.

William j. Bryan has given out tt
following statement:
ITO the Bimetallists of the United
States:
CONSCIOUS that millions of Iowa
hearts are saddened by temporary
defeat, | beg to offer word of hope
and encouragement. No cause evel
had supporters more brave, earnest
and devoted than those who have
espoused the cause of bimetallislu
They have fought from conviction
and have fought with all the yea
which conviction inspires. Event.
will prove whether they are right oil
wrong. Having done their duty a:
they saw it, they have nothing tc
regret. The republican candidate
has been heralded as the advance
agent of prosperity. If his policies
bring real prosperity to the American
people, those who oppose him will
share in that prosperity. If, on the
other hand, his policies prove an
, injury to the people generally, those
of his supporters who do not belong
to the office holding class, or to the
! privileged classes, will suffer in COM
mon with those who opposed him.
The friends of bimetallism have not
been vanquished; they have simply
been overcome. They believe that
the gold standard is a conspiracy of
the money changers against the wei
fare of the human race, and until
convinced of their error they will
continue the warfare against it.
THE contest has been waged this
N ,.,.o. ,e,,,, r
and against great odds. For the first
time during this generation public
attention has been centered upon the
money 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 repub
lican convention held out the delu
sive hope of international bimetal
liSm, while the republican leaders
labored secretly for gold monometal-
lism. The 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 corporations have tried to excite
a fear of lawlessneSS, while they
themselves have been defying the
law, and American tinanciers have
boosted they were the custodian of
the national honor, while they were
secretly bartering away the nations
financial independence. But in spite
OF the efforts of the administration
and its supporters, in spite Of the
threats of the money loanerS ut home
and abroad, in spite of the coercion
practiced by corporate employers, in
spite of trusts and syndicateS, in
spite of an enormous republican
campaign fund, and in spite OF the
| influence of a hostile daily press,
bimetallism has almost triumphed III
It's first great fight. The loss of Il few
States, and that, too, by very small
pluralitieS, has defeated bimetalhsm
for the present, but bimetallism
energies from the contest stronger
than il was four months ago.
Il desire TO commend the work OF
the three national committees which
have joined in the management OF
this campaign. Co operation between
the members of distinct political or
CARNATIONS is always difficult, but
1t has been less SO this year than
usual. Interest in common cause
of great importance has re@uced
friction to a minimum. | Hereby
express my personal gratitude to the
individual members, as well as the
executives officer, of the national
committees Of the democratic, popu-
list, and silver parties, for their
efficient, unriring, and uuseltish
labors They have laid the foundation
for future success, and will be re
membered as worthy of honors when
victory is at last secured.
No personal or political friends
need grieve because of my defeat.
NV anu bition has been to secure i'm
mediate legislation, rothor than e0
enjoy the honors of office, and, there
fore. defeat brings to me no feeling
of personal loss.
speaking for the wife, who has
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 knowledge gained by personal
contact with the people, and i'll
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 the affection of these
people, an affection which we prize as
The richest reward which this cam
paign has brought.
I'm the face of an enemy rejoicing
in its victory, let the roll be called
| for the next engagement, and let us
urge the friends of bimetallism to re-
new their allegiance to the cause.
If we are right, as believe we are,
we shall yet triumph. Until convinced
of his error let each advocate OF
bimetallism continue the work. Let
all silver clubs retain their organi
cation, hold regular meetings, and
circulate 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 d
financial system. Every step taken
by them should be publicly con-
sidered by the silver clubs. Our
cause has prospered most where the
money question has been longest dis
cussed 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 international bi
metallism will cease to deceive; be-
fore that wear arrives those who have