Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-12-04
WORD OF HOPE.
PROMULGATED BY THE DE-
FEATED CANDIDATE.
He Reviews the Work of the Campaign
and Calls Attention to the Odds That
Were Against Him-His Brave Heart
Ready for Another Battle.

Lincoln, NOV. 5.-Mr. Bryan to-day
gave out the following:
To the bimetalists of the United
States:
Conscious that millions of loyal
hearts are saddened by temporary de-
feat, beg to offer word of hope and
encouragement. No cause ever had
supporters more brave, earnest and de-
voted than those who have espoused
the cause of bimetallism. They have
fought from conviction and have
fought with all the zeal which convic-
tion inspires. Events will prove wheth-
er they are right or wrong. Having
done their duty as they saw 1t, they
have nothing to regret. The republic
an candidate has been heralded as the
advance agent Of prosperity. II his
policies bring real prosperity to the
American people those who opposed
him will share in that prosperity. II,
on the other hand, his policies prove
injurious to the people generally,
those Of his supporters who do not be-
long to the holding class, or to
the privileged class, 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 the gold stand
ard is a conspiracy Of the money
changers against the welfare Of the
human race, and until convinced of
their error they will continue the war
fare against it.
"The contest has been waged this
year under great embarrassments and
against great odds. For the first time
during this generation public attention
has been centered upon the money
question as paramount issue, and this
has been done in spite of all attempts
upon the part of our opponents to ig-
more 1t.
"The republican convention held out
a delusive hope of international bimet-
allism, while republican leaders Ia
bored secretly for gold monometallism.
Gold standard democrats have publicly
advocated the election Of the Indian
apolis ticket while they labored secret
ly for the election of the republican
ticket. Trusts and corporations have
tried to excite the fear of lawlessness
while they have been defying the law,
and American financiers have boosted
that they were custodians of national
honor, while they were secretly bar
tering away the nations financial in
dependence.
But, in spite of the efforts of the ad-
ministration and its supporters; In
spite of the threats Of the money lend
ers at home and abroad in spite of the
coercion practiced by corporations and
employers; in spite Of trusts and syn
dicates; in spite of the enormous re-
publican campaign fund, and in spite
Of the influence of the hostile daily
press, bimetallism almost triumphed
in its first great fight The loss of a
few states, and that, too, by very small
pluralities. defeated bimetallism for
the present, but bimetallism energies
from the contest stronger than it was
four months ago.
81 desire to commend the work OF
the three national committees which
have Joined in the management of this
campaign Cooperation between men,
bers of distinct political organizations
is always difficult, but it has been less
30 this year than usual. The interest
in a common cause of so great import
ance reduced the friction to mini
mum. | hereby express my personal
gratitude to the individual members,
as we'll as the executive officers of the
national committees of the democratic,
populist and silver parties, for their eff
flcient, untiring and unselfish labors.
They have laid the foundation for flu
ture successes, and will be remembered
as pioneers when victory is at last
secured.
mo personal nor political friend
need grieve because Of my defeat. My
ambition has been to secure immediate
legislation rather than to enjoy the
honors of office, therefore defeat brings
to me no feeling of personal loss.
Speaking for the wife who has
Shared my ldDOlS do Wcii dS uuySc
desire to say that we have been amply
, repaid for all that we have done.
in the love of millions of our fell
low citizens, so kindly expressed, in
knowledge gained by personal contact
with the people, and in broadening
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
the engagement and urge all friends of
bimetallism to renew 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
organization, hold regular meetings
and circulate literature.
Our opponents have succeeded in
this campaign and must now put their