River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-11-12
BRYAN'S STATEMENT.
Says the Cause of Bimetalllsm Is
Not Dead.
Offers Consolation to His Followers-Feels
No Personal Loss in Defeat-TriumEh
of Free Coinage Predicted
for 1900.

Lincoln, Neb.. Nov. 7.-William j.
Bryan Friday afternoon gave out the
following statement to the bimetallists
of the United States:
Conscious that millions of loyal hearts
are saedened by temporary defeat. I beg
to offer a word OF hope and encourage
ment No cause ever had supporters moro
brave. earnest and devoted. than those
who have espoused the cause of 5imetal-
ism They have fought from conviction
and have focght with all the zeal which
conviction inspires. Events viii prove
whether they are right wrong. Having
done their duty as they saw IL. they have
nothing TO regret. The republican candi
date has been heralded as The advance
agent Of prosperity II his policies bring
real prosperity to the American people
those v no oppose him will share in that
prosperity. If. On the other hard his
policies prove an injury to the people gem
orally those OF his supporters who do not
belong 10 the offlce-Eolding class. or TO the
privileged classes. will suffer In common
With those who opposed him.
Are Not yanquished.
THE friends OF bimetailism have not
been vanqulshed: they have simply been
overcome. They believe that the gold
standard Is a conspiracy OF the money
changers against the welfare of the
human race and until convinced of their
error they will continue the warfare
against II. The contest has been waged
this year under great endorsements and
against great odds For the first time dur
ing 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 II. The re-
publican convention held out the delusive
hope OF international bimetallism. while
republican leaders labored secretly for
gold monometalllsm. Gold standard DEM
ocrats have publicly advocated the election
of the Indianapolis ticket while they
laborcd secretly for the election of the re-
publican ticket The trusts and corpora
lions have tried to excite fear OF lawless-
ness while they themselves have been de-
flying the law. and American inanciers
have boosted that they were the custodians
Of national honor while they were secretly
bartering away the nations financial IN
dependence. But in spite of the efforts OF
the administration and It's supporters; IN
spite of the threats OF money loa nefs AT
home and broad. in spite or the coercion
practiced by corporate employers: IN spite
Of trusts and syndicates in spite or an
noermous republican campaign FUND ana
IN spite of the influence of hostile daily
press. bimetallism has almost triumphed
IN its first great fight The loss Of a few
states, and that, too. by very small plu-
ralities, has defeated bimetallism for the
present but bimetallism energies from the
contest stronger than II was four months
ago
Commends the Three Committees.
IT desire TO commend the work OF the
three national committees which have
Joined In the management OF this CAM
paign. Cooperation between the members
of distinct political organizations Is al
ways difficult. but II has been less so this
year than usual. Interest In common
cause of great Importance has reduced
friction to a minimum. I hereby express
my personal gratitude to the individual
members. as well as the executive off,
GERS, OF the national committee of the
democratic. populist and silver parties for
their efficient. untiriug and unselfish Ia
bors. They have laid the foundation for
future success and will be remembered as
pioneers when victory is al last secured.
Feels Repaid.
"No personal or political friend need
f-rieve because of my defeat My ambition
has beon to secure immediate legislation
rather than to enjoy the honors OF office,
and therefore. defeat brings to me no feel
ing OF personal loss. Speaking for the wife
who has shared my labors. as well as for
myself, / desire to say that we have been
amply repaid for all that we have done.
I'm the love OF millicns of our fellow citi-
zens, kindly expressed. In knowledge
gained by personal contact with the people,
and In broadened sympathies. we find full
compensation for whatever efforts we have
put forth Our hearts have been Touched
by devotion of friends and our lives shall
prove our appreciation of the affection OF
the plain people. an affection which we prize
as the richest reward which this campaign
has brought.
Call for the Next Campaign.
ON the face OF an enemy rejoicing in its
victory, let the roll be called for the next
engagement and urge all friends OF birnet-
allism 70 renew their allegiance to the
cause If we are right. as believe W. are
we shall yet triumph. Until convinced OF
his error. let each advocate Of bimetallism
continue the work. Let all silver clubs re-
tain their organiza ton. hold regular meet
ings and circulate literature Our oppon-
ents have succeeded In this campaign ane
must now put their theories to the test
Instead of talking mysterlouslv about
sound money and AN honest dollar they
must now elaborate and defend financial
system Every step taken by them should
he publicly considered by the silver clubs
Our cause has prospered most where the
money question has been longest discussed
among the people. During the next foui
years Il will be studied all over this nat for
even more than 1t has been studied In the
fast.
Before Nineteen Hundred
1.-THE year 1900 is not FAR away Before
that year arrives, international binetal
lism will cease TO deceive before that year
arrives those who have called themselves
gold standard democrats Will become
bimetallists and be with us or they will
become republicans and be open enemies
before that year arrives. trusts will have
convinced still more people that a trus
is a menace to private welfare and TO pub
lie safety: before that year arrives the
evil effect, of a gold standard will be ever
more evident than they are now. and the
people then ready TO demand an American
financial polio" for the American people
Will Join with us in the immediate restora-
ton of the free and unlimited coinage o.
gold and silver at the present Ter II ratio OF
sixteen to one without waiting for the aid
wv. j. BRYAN