The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-11-13
AS To CAUSES OF THE RESULTS OF
THE RECENT ELECTION
A SURPRISE TO BOTH PARTIES
Impossible to AnaIyse the Returns
Until They Are More Conplete-The
Cry OF prosperity and ..stand by
the President Until tho War 10 Over,
He Thinks, the Most Potent Appeals
OF Republieans-His' Future Plans
Not Yet Settled

Lincoln, Neb.. November S-wiliam
Jennings Bryan tonight "a out the
following statement concerning the
election:
The result was a surprise to me and
the magnitude of the republican vic
tory was a surprise TO our opponents
as we'll as to those who voted our
ticket 1t is impossible to analyze the
returns until they are more complete.
but, speaking generally. we seem TO
have gained in the larger cities and TO
LAY lost in the smaller cities and in
the country.
The republicans were able to secure
who were away from home, and this
gave them considerable advantage. We
have no way of knowing at this time
10Y much none was spent in the pur-
chase of votes and in c~olonization; bat
while these would account for some OF
h republican gains. they could no
account for the widespread increase in
the republican vote. The prosperity
argument was probably the most po-
tent one used by the republicans. They
compared present conditions with the
panic times Of 1893 to 1896. and his ar
did not stop to consider the reason for
the change. The appeal, stand by the
president while the war is on had a
great deal Of influence among those did
no realize that a war against a doc
trine of self-government in the Philip
pines must react upon US in this III
try. We made an honest fight upon ar
honest platform. and. having done oul
duty as we saw it. we have nothing &c
regret.
w are defeated. but not discour.
aged. The fight must go n L an
sure that republican policies will be re
dency of these policies are fully under
stood. The contest between plutocrac,
and democracy ann end until one OF
the other is completely triumphant"
Concerning himself Mr.. Bryan said
II have come out of the campaign
with perfect health and a clear con
science. I did my most to bring sue
cess to the principles for which I stood
Mr. Stevenson did all that he could
Senator Jones and the members of tn
democratic, populist, silver republican
and anti-imperialist committees did al
they could. Mr.. Hearst and his asso
ciates in the club organization put fortl
their best efforts. Our newspapers
our campaign speakers n our ioca
organizations all did their part. I lay
no fault to find and no reproaches.
shall continue to take an active inter
est in politics as long as 1 live. I be
lieve it is the duty Of citizens to do s.
and in addition to my interest as
citizen 1 feel hat it will require a life
time Of work to repay the politica
friends who have done so much for me
I shall not be a senatorial candidat,
before the legislature which has beel
elected. Senator Allen deserves tn,
senatorship which goes to the populists
Mr.. Hitchcock and Mr.. w. H. Thomp
son are avowed candidates for the sen
atorship. They both deserve well Of tn
party and 1 am too grateful to then
for past support to stand in their wa,
if I desired a seat in the senate"
Mr.. Bryan said he has no other plan
at present than to remain at home I'm
til he had recovered from the fatigu
of campaigning. He denied the repor
that he would remove from Nebrask;
and make Texas his home.