The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-11-11
BURNING WORDS.
BRYAN SPEAKS WORDS OF HOPE AND
CHEER TO BIMETALLIsTs.

LiNCOLN, NED, NOV. 6.-Mr. Bryan
today gave out the following:
To the Bimetallists of the United
States:
Conscious that millions of loyal
hearts are saddened by temporary de.
feat, beg to offer a word of hope and
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 convic-
ton inspired. Events will prove
whether they ara right or wrong.
Having done their duty as they saw
1t. they have nothing to regret. The
Republican candidate has bsen her
aided as the advance agent of prosper.
ity. # his policies bring real pros per-
ity to the American people those who
opposed him will share in tfh Apros.
tperity. If, on the other hand, his pol
icies prove an injury to the people
generally, those of his supporters
who do not belong to the ofice.hold.
ing class or to the privileged classes
will suffer in common with those who
opposed him. The friends of bimetal.
lism have not been vanquished; they
have simply been overwhelmed. They
believe that the gold standard is con-
spiracy Of the money changers against
the welfare of the human race, and
until convinced 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, public atten-
ton has been cen tered upon the money
question as the paramount issue, and
this has been done in spite of all at
tempts upon the part of our opponents
to prevent it. The Republican con-
vention held out the delusive hope of
international bimetalIism, while Re.
publican leaders labored secretly for
gold monometallism. Gold standard
Democrats have publicly advocated
the election of the Indianapolis ticket,
while they labored 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 lay, and
American fnanciers have boasted that
they were the custodians of the na-
ttonal honor while they were secretly
bartering away the nations financial
independence. But in spite of the ef-
forts of the administration and Its
Importers; in spite of threats of mon
ey Ioaners at home and abroad; in
spite of the coercion practiced by cor
porations and employers; in spite OF
trusts and syndicates; in spite of an
enormous Republican campaign fund;
and in spite of the influence of hos
tile daily press, bimetallism has al
most triumphed in its first great fight.
The loss of a few States, and that, too,
by very small plurality. has defeat
ed bimetallism for the present; but BIZ
metallism emerges from the contest
stronger than it was four months ago.
desire to commend the work of the
three national committees which have
joined in the management of this
campaign. Corporations between
the members of distinct political or
CARNATIONS is always difficult, but it
mas been less so this year than usual.
Interest in a common cause OF great
importance has reduced friction to
minimum. i hereby express my per:
sonal gratitude to the individual
members, as well as the executive Of
fcers of the national committees OF the
Democratic. Populist and Silver par.
ties for their efficient, untiring and
unsel6sh labors. They have laid the
foundation 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 am
bition has been to secure immediate
legislation rather than enjoy the hon
ors of office. Therefore defeat brings
to me no feeling of personal loss.
Speaking for the wife who has shared
my labors, as well as myself, I de.
sire to say that we have been amply
repaid for all that we have done. In
the love of millions of our fellow citi-
zens, so kindly expressed, in knowl'
edge gained by personal contact with
the people aud in broadened sympa-
thies, 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
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. II We are right, as I be-
lieve 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 meet.
ings and circulate literature. Our
opponents have succeeded in this cam.
paign and must now put their theo'
ries to the test. Instead of talking
mysteriously about 'sound money"
and an "honest dollar" they must
now elaborate and defend a financial
system. Every step taken by them
should be publicly considered by sill.
YER clubs. Our cause has prospered
most where the money question has
been longest discussed among the peo,
ple. During the next four 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. Be-
fore that year arrives international BIZ
metallism will cease to deceiYe; before