Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1896-11-11

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To thu Bimetallists of the United
States:
Conscious that millions of loyal
hearts are saddened by temporary
defeat, L beg to offer q word of
hope and encoure ement. No
cause ever had supporters more
brave, earnest and devoted than
than those w1o have espoused the
cause of bimetallism. They have
fought from conviction, and have
fought with all the zeal which con-
7iction Inspired. Events will prove
whether they are right or wrong.
Having done their duty as they
saw it, they have nothing to re-
gret. The Republican candidate
has been heralded as the advance
agent of prosperity. If bis poll
cies bring real prosperity to the
American people those who cppos-
ed him will share In that prosperi-
ty. If. on the other hand, his pol
icies prove an injury to the people
generally, those Of bis supporters
who do not balong to the Office
holding class or to the privileged
classes will suffer in common with
those who opposed him, The
friends of bimetallism have not
been vanquished: they have sim
ply been overwhelmed. They be-
iieve thdt tee gold standard is a
conspiracy Of the money chaugers
against the welfare Of the humsn
race, ard until convinced of their
error they wit continue the warfare
against it.
The contest has been waged this
year under great embarrassments
and against great odds. For the
rst time during this generation,
ublic attention has been cehtered
lpon the money question as the
paramount issue, and this has been
done in spite of all attempts upon
the part Of our opponents to pre-
vent it. The Republican conven-
ton held out the delusiVe hope of
international bimetaIlism, while
Republican leaders labored secretly
for gold monometallism. Gold
standard Democrats have publicly
advocated the election of the In
d;anapolis ticket, while they labor
ed secretly for the election of the
Republican ticket. The trusts and
corporations have tried to excite a
fever of lawlessness, while they
have been defying the law, and
American fnanciers have boasted
that they were the custodians Of
the national honor while they were
secretly bartering away the Ia
tons financial independence. But
in spite of the efforts of the admin
istration and its supporters; in
spite OF threats of money loaners
at home-and abroad; in spite of
the coercion practiced by corpora
tions and employers; n spite of
trusts and syndicates; in spite of
an enormous Republican campaign
fund; and in s)ite of the influence
of a hostile daily press, bimetallism
has almost triumphed in its first
great fight. The loss of a few
States, and that, too, by a very
small plurality, has defeated BIZ
metallism for the present; but
himetallism emerges from the con-
test stronger than it was four
months ago.
| desire to commend the work of
the three national committees
which have joined the manage
ment Of this campaign. Co-opera-
tion between the members of dis
tinct political organizations is al
ways difficult, but it has been less
SO this year than usual. Interest in
q common cause Of great impor-
tance has reduced friction to q
minimum. I hereby express my
personal gratitude to the individ-
al members, as we'll as the execu-
tive officers of the national COM
mittees of the Democratic, Popu-.
list and Silver parties for their
efficient, untiring and unselfish ta-
bors. They have laid the founda-
ton for future success and will be
remembered as pioneers when vic
tory is at last secured.
No personal or political friend
need grieve because of my defeat
My ambition has been to secure
i'm Mediate legislation rather than
en-, ,oy the honors of Office. There
fore defeat brings to me no feeling
of personal loss. Speaking for the
wife who has shared my labors, as
we'll as myself, L 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 in brogdeaed SYM
pathiey, we find full compensation
for whatever efforts we have put
forth. Our hearts have been touch
ed by the devotion of frienda and
our lives shall prove our apprecia-
ton of the affection which we
prizes .as the richest reward which
this campaign has brought.
In tthe face of an enemy rcjo'c-
ing in its victory, let the roll be
called for the engagement, and
urge all friends of bimetallism to