The San Francisco call., 1896-11-07
Declares That the Friends O
Free Silver Have Not Yet
Been Vanquished.
DOES NOT FEEL~AT ALL SORE.
An Ambition to Secure immediate
Legislation Instead of Enjoying
HonorS OF Office.

LINCOLN, NEBR., Nov. Civilian ].
Bryan this afternoon gave out the follow
ing statement to the bimetalllsts OF the
United States:
Conscious that millions of loyal hearts are
saddened by temporary defeat, l beg to offer a
word OF hope ana encouragement No cause
ever had supporters more brave, earnest and
devoted than those who have espoused the
cause of bimetallism. They have fought from
conviction and have fought with'all the zeal
which conviction inspires. Time will prove
whether they are right or whether they are
wrong Having done their duty as they saw
it they have nothing to regret
The Republican candida te has been heralded
as the advance agent OF prosperity. If his pol
icies bring real prosperity to the American
people those who opposed him will share in
that prosperity. If, on the other hand, his
policies prove an injury to the people gener-
ally those of his supporters who do not belon G
to the office-holding class or TO the privileged
classes will suffer in common with those who
opposed.
The friends of bimetaIlism have not been
vanquished; they have simply been over
come. They believe that the gold standard is
conspiracy OF the money changers against
the welfare of the human race, and until con-
vinced of their error they will continue the
warfare against it
The contest has been waged this year under
great embarrassments and against great odds.
For the first time during this generation pub
lie attention has been centered upon the
money question as the paramount issue, and
this has been done in spite of ali attempts
upon the part OF our opponents to prevent il.
Inc Republican convention held out the de-
lusive hope of international bimetallism,
while Republicans labored secretly for gold
monometallism. Gold standard Democrats
have publicly advocated the election of the
Indianapolis ticket while they laDored secretly
for the election OF the Republican ticket. The
trusts and corporations have tried TO excite
fear of lawlessness while they themselves nave
been defying the law. And American finan-
ciers have boasted that they were the custo-
dians OF Na.ional honor, while they were
secretly bartering away the Nations financial
independence.
But in spite of the efforts of the admin
istrauon and Its supporters, in spite of the
threats OF money-loaners at home and abroad,
in spite OF coercion practiced on corporation
employees. in spite OF trusts and syndicates
in spite of an enormous Republican campaign
fund and in spite OF the Influence of hostile
press, btmetallism has almost triumphed in
its first great fight. The loss of few States
and that, TOO, by very small pluralities, has
| defeated bimetalism, but bjmetallism
emerges from the contest stronger than it was
| four months ago.
| desire 10 commend the work of the Ma
| tional Committee who had the management
| Of this campaign. Cooperation between the
| mem OF different political organizations
is always difficult, but it has been less SO this
year than usual Interest in common cause
OF great Importance has reduced friction to
minimum. l hereby express my personal
gratitude TO the individual members, as well
as the executive officers OF the National Com
mittee OF the Democratic, Populist ana Silver
parties for their efficient, untiring and un-
selfish labors They have laid the foundation
for future success, and will be remembered as
| pioneers when victory is at last secured.
No personal nor political FRIEND need grfeIe
because OF my defeat Ny ambition has been
enjoy he honors OF office. and therefore de-
| feat brings TO me no feeling OF personal loss.
Speaking for the wife who has shared my
| iabors as well for myself, / desire to say
| that we have been amply repaid for all that
we have done. In the love OF millions or our
fellow-citizens, SO kindly expressed; in the
the people, and in 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 the
| plain people, an affection which we prize as
the highest reward which this campaign has
! brought.
! In the face of the enemy rejoicing in its
| victory let the roll be called for the next en-
gagement. and urge all friends OF bimetallism
| to renew their allegiance to the cause. If we
are right, as l believe we are, shall yet tri-
| umph. Until convinced of his error let each
advocate OF bimetallism continue the work
| Let al silver clubs retain their examinations
| hold regular meetings and freely circulate
| silver literature.
| Our opponents have succeeded in this cam
| paign, an must now put their theories to the
| test Instead of talking mysteriously about
| sound money" and IAN honest dollar" they
must now elaborate and defend a financial
| system. Every step taken by them should be
| 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 tour
! 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 bimetailism
| will cease TO deceive. Before that year arrives
! those who have called themselves Gold-stan-
| dard Democrats will become bimetalists and
! be with us or they will have become Republi-
| cans and become open enemies. Before that
| year arrives trusts will have convinced more
people that a trust is a menace to private well
! fare and the public safety. Before that year
! arrives the evil effects of gold standard will
| be even more evident than they are now, ard
the people then viii be ready to demand an
| American financial policy, for the American
| people will join with US in the immediate
restoration OF free and unlimited coinage Of
| gold and silver at the present legal ratio of
| 16 to without waiting for the aid or Consent