Warren sheaf., 1896-11-12
BRYAN'S STA TEMENT.
Says the Cause OF Bimetallism Is
Not Dead
Offers Consolation to His Followers-Feels
No Personal Loss In Defoat-Triumph
OF Free Coinage Predicted
for 1900.

No Personal Loss In Defoat-Triumph
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 saddened by temporary defeat, beg
to offer word Of hope and encourage
uent. No cause ever had supporters more
brave. earnest and devoted. than those
who have espoused the cause Of bimetal-
tisn. They have fought from conviction
and have fought with all the zeal which
whether they are right or wrong. Having
done their duty as they saw it, 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
prosperity. If. on the other hand. his
policies prove an injury to the people gen.
orally, those of his supporters who do not
belong to the of11ce-holding class. or to the
privileged classes. will suffer in common
with those who opposed him.
Are Not Vanquished.
1.-THE friends of bimeta.lism have not
overcome. They believe that the gold
standard is conspiracy 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 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 1t. The re-
publican convention held out the delustve
hope Of international bimetallism, while
republican leaders labored secretly for
gold monometallism. Gold standard dem
ocrats have publicly advocated the election
OF the Indianapolis ticket while they
lahored secretly for the election of the re-
publican ticket. The trusts and corpora
tons have tried to excite fear OF lawless-
ness while they themselves have been de-
flying the law. and American 1nanc1ers
have boasted 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 Its supporters; In
spite of the threats of money loaners at
home and broad; in spite Of the coercion
practiced by corporate employers: in spite
of trusts and syndicates: in spite of an
noermous republican campaign fund and
In spite of the influence of hostile daily
press. bimetallism has almost triumphed
in its first great fight The loss Of few
states. and that, too. by very small plu-
ralities, has defeated bimetallism for the
present, but binetallism emerges from the
contest stronger than it was four months
ago.
Commends the Three Committees.
II desire to commend the work of the
three national committees which have
joined in the management Of this cam
ho%rr $ho har
Of distinct political organizations is al
ways difficult, but it has been less so this
year than usual. Interest in a common
cause of great Importance has reduced
friction to 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, untirng and unselfish la
bors They have laid the foundation for
future success and will be remem bered as
pioneers when victory is at last secured.
Feels Repaid.
mo personal or political friend need
grfeve because Of my defeat. Ny ambition
has been 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 millions Of our fellow citf-
zens. 80 kindly expressed. in knowledge
ganed BY t th the DG peope
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 peoples AN affection which we prize
as the richest reward which this campaign
has brought.
Call for the Next Campaign.
TN the face of an enemy rejoicing in fte
victory. let the roll be called for the next
engagement and urge all friends of bimet-
allism 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 re-
tain their organization. hold regular meet
ings and circulate literature. Our oppon-
ents have succeeded in this campaign and
must now put their theories to the test
Instead Of talking mysteriously about
Sound money and AN honest dollar they
must now elaborate and defend 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 four
years it will be studied all over this nation
even more than it has been studied in the
past.
Before Nineteen Hundred
THE year 1900 is not far away. Before
that year arrives, International bimetal-
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 viii
become republicans and be open enemies;
before that year arrives, trusts will have
convinced still more people that trust
is a menace to private welfare and to pub
lie safety: before that year arrives the
evil effect. of gold standard will be even
more evident than they are now. and the
people then ready to demand an American
financial policy for the American people