Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-10-02
knowledge IL Spreading.


TIE enthusiasm with which Mr.. Bryan
was received by the masses that packed
Tammany Hall on Tuesday night was
tremendous. unexampled, according to
the testimony OF men who have gone
through many presidential campaigns
But more significant than the fervor Of
the welcome given the Democratic can
d.date was the quickness with which the
concourse caught the points Of his argu-
ment for the restoration OF silver to the
currency. II was plainly an audience
that had been reading and thinking about
the leading issue OF the canvass. lt was
an audience educated into intelligent
knowledge Of the pleas for and against
free coinage. Men who evinced this
readiness Of apprehension and hearty ap-
probation Of the force Of the reasons
presented in support OF the Democ attic
policy are not to be Influenced by the
questicn-begging rhetoric concerning
Sound money" and honest money"
population" and national dishonor'
that seems tc be the main support of
tho single gold standard in the press and
on the stump.
Mr.. Bryan's hearers at Tammany Hall
we're not bankers and brokers and deal
ers in bonds, and protectors, for
consideration. Of the Treasury of the
United States, but they indicated by
their understanding OF what they heard
a better knowledge Of the elementary
principles of monetary science than
most of the gentlemen who are endea-
voring 10 instruct the public in the in
terest Of the existing financial system.
At Providence on Monday Mr.. Bryan
said:
IF do not come to preach TO you a new
gospel. The position which we take on
the money question is an old position, not
a new one. We are not flying in the
face Of natural laws. as our opponents
sometimes assert. nor are we trying 10
overturn the principles OF political
economy. Those who advocate bimetal-
ism are the only. ones I'm this campaign
who are telling economic truths and de-
tending the natural laws Of trade. When
define an honest dollar as a dollar
which does not change in its purchasing
power. ] give 10 you a definition which is
indorsed by all writers on political eco
Monty"
That is strictly true. and. being true,
every day the campaign lasts Is day
which must make converts to the cause
OF bimetallsm among men whose first
desire as citizens is to know what Is
right. Others, who are unthinking par
tisans or open TO the various sorts Of
suasion which Mr.. Mark Hanna and
his confederates exert are not the ones
who decide elections
Mr. Bryan has still more than four
weeks before him IN which to continue
his work Of enlightenment. That ugly
traiP' that he leaves behind him Is a
trail OF information and national argu-
ment. His speeches are the textbooks
OF mutitudes Of sincere and honest men
anxious for knowledge. who become in
turn teachers OF the truth 10 others.
Tho concerted effort to howl down
Bryan and free silver has failed. He and
honest money are far stronger with the
people now than when the howl began.
That howl has insulted the common-sense
OF the average citizen and offended his
love Of fair play. The advocates Of the
gold standard. an approaching dollar, and
hard-times have increasing cause for fear.
The election is more than a month away,
and Bryan is still on the stump.