Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-06-30

press himself more upon the conven-
uon than he "a done upon the Amer
ican people. No man in long years
has made so great an impression upon
the people. This is universally &C.
knowledeed. If l we're called upon to
explain the secret of it | would not as
crlbe it to mere eloquencs or superiori.
ty of intellectual gifts Many of Mr.
Bryan's campaign speeches were made
when by excessive labor his voice lad
lost its charm, and his mind, SO TO
speak, fell below itself. But, wherever
MIR. Bryan went, the people saw before
them Il man who had convictions, one
who was telling the truth with perie ct
candor, as he saw it. 1t was his intel.
leclual integrity and enthusiasm added
TO his remarkable art of putting i'm
portant truths in simple and concise
form, that was the secret of his power.
IL was this kind of man that the
masses IF the people were yearning for
i'll this wearsome era OF selfish aspira-
tions, sophistry, cowardice and false
pretense.
What matters it that we were beaten
the coercion of the working men, u
solid negro vote and the treachery of
Cleveland and his associates? Andrew
Jackson, the man of the people, vas
bea;en in his first race; but his defear
only conducted MIN 10 the highest seat
of power and TO an enduring lame. 1t
took George Washington seven long
years TO establish American indepen-
dence Some victories have in them al
the seeds of future defeat and disinte-
giation. Some defeats are obviously
only mere preliminary skirmish. 1t
was great thing 10 purify the leader
ship OF the democratic party, TO get rid
of corrupt and trescherous MA ayers,
and to proclaim anew the old creed and
once more give the old flag to the
bretz-. We did all this in 1896 and We
inauYurated then contest which will
not end save in victory and that at no
distant day. There is not true demo
crat who would not exult to try over
again this year the national contest OF
last year, with the same nominee and
the same platform, without an iota OF
change. We would win without a
doubt.
The national fight is now going on.
In the presence OF great, intense and
general distress all over the land caus
ed by federal legislation and executive
usurpatiou, it is not possible TO subsli-
tute any local for national issues. The
question is shall the people have work
and an opportunity to earn bread, or
shall the money lenders of Wall street
and Europe by enforcing the gold stan
dard suck the last drop of their blood.
1t is the gold standard and misery on
o 10 hand, free coinage. industry and
prosperity on the other.
The peope will choose They ask for
broad Mckinley otfe,s them instead
predatory tariff TO repay the M nufacturers
the money they advanced for his nomination
aid election, and the empty, exploded cheat
and swindle of an international monetary
conference All this will not feed one hun
cry mouth or bring joy to one farmers house
hold in all this brt ad land.
Fraud, corruption and falsehood were po-
tent factors in 1896. but this tsismsnic pow
or is gone The people are undeceived. The
democratic States conventions this year
should re-siiirm the Chicago platform. They
must not filter but press right OF. ii they
get boldly forward the people will rally TO
them with a force and emphasis that q
compel policy of partial justice even f.om
this administration. The eau of free COIN
age aud deliveiance from this intolerable
yoke of the money-power must he put to the
ont above all personal interests and aspiia
tions. These are not times for triiling or for
compromises or half-heslteimen and half way
measures. The people demand relief. They
know now that it is not 10 be expected from
this administration with all its shows, frauds
and pretensee They will turn t. the demo.
cratic p 4rty as their only hope if tpat party
remains true to them. If that party hest
tates, new one will spring up and do the
work. L. e. w.