Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1900-11-16
BRYAN TELLSOF HIS SURPRISE

BRYAN TELLS0F HIS SURPRISE
VIM. j. Bryan has given the fol-
lowing statement concerning the
election:
"The result was a surprise to me,
and the magnitude of the Republican
victory was surprise to our oppo-
nents, as well as to those who voted
our ticket. 1t is impossible to ana
lyze the returns until they are more
complete, but speaking generally, we
seem to have gained in the large
cities and to have lost in the smaller
cities and country.
"The Republicans were able to
secure tickets or passes for all their
voters who were away from home and
this gave them considerable advan-
tage. We have no way of knowing
at this time how much money was
spent in the purchase of votes aud in
organization. But while these would
account for some of the Republican
gains, they could not account for the
widespread increase in the Republi-
can vote.
PROSPERITY DID 1T.
ffFyr
"The prosperity argument was
probably the most potent one used
by the Republicans. They compared
present conditions with the panic
times of '93 to '96, and this argu-
ment had weight with those who did
not stop to consider the reasous for
the change.
"The appeal Stand by the Presi-
dent while the war is on had great
deal Of influence among those who
did not realize that war against a
doctrine of self-government in the
Philippines must react upon us in
this country. We made an honest
light upon an honest platform, aud
having done our duty as we saw it,
we have nothing to regret.
"We are defeated, but not dis
couraged. The fight must go on.- !
am sure that Republican policies will
be repudiated by the people when the
tendencies of those policies are fully
understood. The contest between
plutocracy and democracy cannot |
end. until one or the other is CON- |
pletely triumphant"
A CLEAR CONSCIENCE.
Concerning himself, Mr.. Bryan |
said:
"l have come out of the CAMPAIGN
with perfect health aud a clear con-
science. Ibid my most to bring sue
cess to the principles for which | |
stood. Mr.. Stevenson did all that
he could; Senator Jones and the
members of the Democratic, Populist,
Silver Republican and Anti-Imperi-
alist committees did all they could.
Mr.. Hearst and his associates in the
club organization put forth their
best efforts. Our newspapers, our
speeches and our local or
carnations all did their part. /
have no fault to find and no
/ shall continue to
take an active interest in politics
as long as j live. l believe it to be
the duty of citizens to do SO, and, in
addition to my interest as citizen, /
feel that it will require lifetime of
work to repay the political friends
who have done SO much for me. /
shall not be a senatorial candidate
before the Legislature which has
been elected. Senator Allen deserves
the Senatorship which goes to the
Mr.. Hitchcock and Mr..
w. 81. Thompson are avowed can
didates for the Senatorship. They
both deserve well of the party, and
am too grateful to them for past
support to stand in their way, even
if | desired seat in the Senate"
TELEGRAPHS MCKINLEY.
Mr.. Bryan said he had no program
of action for the immediate future.
He sent the following telegram to
the President.
Witsiana AcKinley, President, Canton, o.:
At the close of another Presidential
campaign 1t is my lot to congratulate
you upon second victory.
MCKINLEY TO BRYAN.
President Mckinley answered |
Bryan's message in the following |
dispatch:
Hon. VILLAIN j. Bryan. Lincoln, Ne6.:
l acknowledge with cordial thanks |
your message of congratulation and ex-
tend you my good wishes.
WILLIAM MCKINIEY