The San Francisco call., 1896-09-09

Ine PeOpie VINO constitute InaI gIhHu urn {,
INSPIRED as they are by the noblest sentiments
UI patriotism, under your leadership Will
tnere can be no doubt on that day lift hlgn
tnelr banners in triumph over the defeated
dAled hosts OF plutocraey.
1t was 1920 O'Clock when Mr.. Groot con-
GUIDED and Mr.. Bryan began his speech.
He said:
parry and members of that committee: beg
10 reply at this time without the formallty OF
q ietter: The platform adopted by the silver
convention contains but one plank. ana that
plank, the p ank upon the money question or
upon the silver question, is Identical in sub
STANCE with the silver plank OF the chicago
platform. AS l have already discussed at
iengtn that plank and it will not be necessary
10 enter into any extended discussion at this
time, Deg to assure the committee that &C,
Sept the nomination so generously rendered
Oy snem on behalf OF the silver party In the
spirit In which that nomination was pre-
sented. lCheers.l can appreciate the teel-
ing which animated those who assembled In
!i .nAt convention, can appreciate the neslta,
tion IN which they as sem bled there ana turned
thelr backs upon the party with which they
had been associated
l know something of the strength of the
Partlesi because / was in position where
looked forward to possibility OF like action
on my own part. can appreciate the depths
OF a conviction that led them to place the in
their party. Long cheering and shouts OF
Gooo. More than year ago, when we
were engaged in struggle 10 bring the Demo-
crauc party to an Endorsement OF free coinage,
tne question was put to me whether, In case
OF lailure, would support the Democratic
nominee If he were on gold standard plat
form. never believed that such action was
probable in the Democratic party, but when
those who questioned me were not content
with proba bilities, but asked again whether
IN the case of that event would support the
under no circumstances would my vote be
given to the man who would in the executive
ONCE use his influence to fasten the gold stand
ara upon the American people. lGreat cheer
ing.l
Ny convictions upon this subject are not
swallow convictions. l may be in error, my
lrlends; none of us can claim 1nfalhbllity.
But We have experience OF history TO guide US
and our judgment and our conseiences, and
stand where the members OF the silver conven-
t1on stood. I would rather have the approv-
al Oh my conscience than the applause OF the
entire earth: / may be in error, but l believe
that the gold standard is a conspiracy against
the human race. [Cheers.l
would no sooner join the ranks OF those
whose purpose is to fasten that upon the
people than to enlist in al army that was
marching to attack my home and kill my
family. tRenewed cheeringl 1 can say,
therefore, that I can appreciate the spirit
which animated those who have just rendered
me this second nomination, and l can there
lore accept 1t in the spirit in which they pre-
sent It. And 1 pledge them that if elected
they shall never have cause to accuse me of
being false to that trust. More cheering.l
My friends, when l declared that l would
not support gold standard candidate was
standing upon the history OF the Democratic
party. was defending its principles as well
as the interests OF the country al large. And
when these Republicans who assembled in the
silver convention at St. Louis refused TO
worship the golden image which their party
had set up they were defending the history of
the Republican party. [Applausel The Re-
Pupncan platform OF 1883 denounces the
Democratic administration for having at
tempted to degrade silver. Aud in 1891 on
the 11th day OF February in Memorial Hall al
Toledo, Ohio, on the Lincoln day banquet, the
present candidate for President upon the Re-
publican ticket used the words which l shall
now read TO you. 1 have found these words
published in Toledo paper, and they have
been published so long without correction
that we may safely assume that he was cor
rectly reported. If he shall deny the correct
ness of this report / shall hasten 10 do him
justice by retracting these words. These are
the words which he is said to have used:
During all of Grover Cleveland's years at
the head of the Government he was dishonor-
ing one OF our precious metals, one OF our own
great Notwithstanding silver and en-
hancing the price of gold. He endeavored
even before his Inauguration to Office to stop
the coinage of silver dollars, and afterward
and 10 the end of his administration persist
emily used his power to that end. He was de-
termined TO contract the circulating medium
and demoDetize one of the coins OF commerce,
limit the volume of money among the people
make money scarce and therefore dear. He
would have increased the value of money and
diminished the value OF everything else
money the masef, everything else the sell
want" LGreat cheerlng.j
Following these same lines the Republican
Convention in 1892 declared at Minneapolis
that the American people, from tradition and
interest were in favor of bimetallism. "a
voice, 'Thats SOL That is the language in
1892 that the American people, from tradition
ana interest, are in favor of bimetallism
Have traditions changed in four years? IA
voice. "No.'] Have interests changed in four
years? "a voice, "No."1 No, my friends, and
yet, forgetting the platform of 1880, forgetting
the denunciauon uttered by their distin.
guished leader in 1891, forgetting the plat
form of 1892, the Republican party in conyen-
ton assembled declared that the Amer can
people must forego the advantages of the bi-
me tallic system to which tradition and inter-
est Endorsed them until foreign nations should
bring these advantages to them. [Applausel
II is not,strange that men who had looked Tor
bimetaliism in the Republican parry should
have given up hope and turned elsewhere for
relief.
These Republicans cannot be criticized for
leaving the Republican party. They have done
what every American citizen has a right to do
They have done better than our Democratic
advocates OF the gold standard have done, be-
cause these Republicans when they left the
party Joined with those who had chance to
succeed, while our Democratic advocates of the
gold standard sought to secure the election of
a Republican, Mckinley, by nominating
Democratic candidate. [Cries of "That's so."l
To show you that the action OF these Republic
cans is defended by experience and by exam
pie, let me carry you back TO the period Just
preceding the war. II you will turH TO a book
recently published, entitled "John Shermans
Recollections" [laughterl, you will find on page
III OF the first volume portion OF a speech
which he delivered in Congress in 1856. Let
me read this extract:
"I am willing to stand by the compromises of
1870 and 1850; but when our Whig brethren
OF the south allow this administration TO lead
them of from their principles, when they
ABANDON the position which Henry Clay
would have taken, forget his name and
achievements and decline any longer to carry
his banner, they lose all their claims on me.
And say now that until this wrong is righted,
un til Kansas is admitted as a free State
cannot act in party association with them"
There was the distinguished Senator from
ONO asserting to the people of this country
upon the hoor of Congress that he was willing
70 accept compromise after compromise, but
that the time had at last come when he could
go with them no longer; that until certain
Things were accomplished he could not act
with them. The situation to-day is but repe-
utlon OF history. Compromise after compro-
mise has been submitted to by these silver Re-
publlcans in the hope that the party of their
choice and love would q. last bring to the
people the relief which they desired.
But the Republican party, in 1856,
has been led off by another administration,
until 1t has deserted its traditions and its
platform, and these Republicans have right
to say to their Repu blican associates, 1--WE will
go with you no longer until this Nation is re-
deemed" [Applause.l
We do not aek thosa rbo precent this poroi-