Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1897-07-23
THE TWO METALS.
BRYAN SHOWS THEIR RELATIVE
POSITIONS AS MONEY.

stone Park, Near Oregon Ciiy-He
Shows the Faliacy OF the Gold
Standard-The Logic OF Events
Supports His Position.
William Jennings Bryan delivered
an address on the 18th inst. ut Glad
stone Park, Clackamas county, Ore
gon, under the auspices of the VILLAIN
cite Valley Chautauqua Association.
The subject discussed was political,
and presented the reasons oft-reiter-
ated by Mr.. Bryan in support of the
free and unlimited coinage of silver at
the ratio of 16 to l. The address was
devoid of statistics, and was largely
anecdotal. Bimetallism was defined
as Mr.. Bryan has defined it before,
and amusing stories were told to il
lustrate popular conception OF the
term as distinguished from the speak
er's definition.
A crowd estimated at 10000 people
was gathered within hearing dis
tance of the stand Mr.. Bryan Occu-
pied, and gave him cordial demon
strations upon his arrival, at the close
of the speech, and when telling points
were made during its progress. Long
before he arrived, vantage points near
the stand were secured by some
anxious to hear the orator, and when
2 O'Clock was noted, the crowd had
complete possession of the grounds.
A large platform back of the large
auditorium was used for the occasion.
On this were seated several hundred
persons including the committee es-
corting Mr.. Bryan from Oregon City
to the grounds. In front of the plat
form seats had been arranged for quite
a distance. They were packed, while
to the rear and on both sides an eager
throng craned to get within hearing
and seeing distance. The trees on the
ground resembled perches for birds.
The impetuosity OF the audience rem
dered the task of restraint imposed on
the marshals rather difficult until the
speaker arrived.
Mr.. Bryan reached the platform
shortly after O'Clock, P. NJ, accom-
panied by Judge O'Day, F. A. E. Starr
and other members of the Democratic
reception committee. Colonel r. A.
Miller, president of the Chautauqua
Association, escorted the speaker to
the little platform raised above the
main floor, and briefly introduced
him as one of the most distinguished
lecturers on the American platform.
Mr.. Bryan was greeted with q clamor-
Gus reception, which lasted for several
moments before sufficient quiet pre-
vailed for his voice to be heard. When
he commenced to speak, a very notice
able hoarseness impressed his audi.
ence that he could be heard but q
short distance. After the introduc-
tory, and the speaker had warmed to
the work, his clear tones penetrated
to the remotest member of the aud
ience. He said:
II am very glad to have this op-
portunity of discussing great ques-
ton before people who attend these
Chautauqua sessions. / am q be-
lever in Chautauqua work, and, be-
fore F become in any sense a political
factor, was Chautauquan-first as
a student, and afterwards as a lecturer.
! believe that on an occasion like this,
it is possible to discuss great questions
from an economic standpoint, aside
from the prejudices and feelings that
are manifest too often at a political
gathering. wish, therefore, to bid
Godspeed to your Chautauqua society,
and to express the hope that each
year will increase its numbers and ex-
tend its influence. And / am glad
that your platform is broad enough for
the discussion of every question which
concerns the welfare of our people. I
am glad to discuss bimetallism before
this assembly, but l trust your So
ciety will be able to find some one to
discuss the subject from the other side,
because what the people wanti is truth.
What they desire is what is best, and
we can easiest find that which is best
by comparing all of the policies pre-
sented. If bimetallism is good, it can
stand in the open field and meet ae-
tack from every source, and, if it is
bad, then we ought to welcome any
light that will show its defects to us.
We ought to first consider that which
will be best for our country. A South
ern Senator once said-and l think
his sentiment is worthy OF recollection
- Who saves his country, saves him
self, and all things saved do bless him.
Who leads his country down, leads all
things down, dies himself ignoble, and
all things dying curse him.
"You may rest assured that the vast
majority of the American people, no
matter to what party they belong, are
really and earnestly desiring only what
is best. We may differ in opinion as
to what is best, and in our differences
we are often-yes, largely-the crea-
ture of our environment. Environ
ment has much to do with opinions,
! political and religious, of the people.