The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-08-28
Bryan's Speech of Acceptance.

llhcatiOn Committee:
IN accepting the Presidential nom
nation which YOU ender on behalf OF
Tue foDul3t party, l desire to give en-
phatlc recognition to the educational
work done by your party. The Populist
party, as an organization and the far
mer alliances and the labor organiza-
lions from which they sprung. have done
much TO arouse the people to a study
OF economic and industrial questions. Be
lleVlng as | do that a truth grows not
in seclusion but in the open field and
that it thrives best in the sunlight Of full
and free debate. | have confidence that
the discussion which your party has
compelled Will aid in reaching that true
solution OF pending problems toward which
all honest citizens aim.
Z desire also to express my deep APP
probation of the Hberaity of opinion and
devotion to principle which have led the
members of your party to enter the ranks
Of another party in the selection Of a can
didate.
And let me pause to say that when
this speech was prepared and given to
the press l did not know that formal an
nouncement OF the resolutions passed by
the Monetary League would be made at
this time, and l desire here to express my
- ~ H. VI IASL( l<C05uo
for the SUPPORT which they promise and
for the cordial commentator which their
resolutions speak. The Monetary League
has for four years been active in the
distribution OF literature connected with
the money question aimed at the enligl.t-
erment of the voters, and l have on former
occasions, and now express my common
dation of TIE efforts of this League and
of similar leagues, to spread before the
people on the money question,
because | believe the more the question
is studied and the better it is understood.
the stronger Will be the demand for the
restoration of the double standard in the
United States. Great applause).
And now to resume
"While | am grateful for the confidence
which the PoOulists have expressed in
me, l am not vain enough to regard as
personal their extraordinary manifesta-
lions of good will. The ties which bind
together those who believe in the same
great financial principles are stronger than
ties of observation-disclosures even than the
ties Of blood; and cooperation between
the reform forces is due to the fact that
Democrats. Populists and Silver Repub-
licans take the side of the people in
their contest against greed and agree in
the application of Jeffersonian principles
W ~ bNioi 49,
THE MONEY QUESTION.
"In 1896 the money question was Of
paramount Importance and the allies in
that campaign united in the demand for
the immediate restoration of silver by
the independent action of this country
at 16 to /, the ratio which had existed
since 1854. They were defeated, but that
did not end the discussion. The Demo-
Gratis We're defeated in 1888. burt that did
not put an end to tariff reform. The
Republicans were defeated in 1892. but
that did not permanently overthrow the
protective tariff. Defeat at the polls
does not necessarily decide y great prob
lem. Experience and experience alone
settles questions. If an increase in the vol
ume of the currency since 1896, although
u~nprcmised by the Republicans. and IN
expected, has brought Improvement in
industrial conditions. this Improvement
instead Of answering the arguments put
forth in favor Of bimetallism, only con-
firms the contention of those who insisted
shat more money would make better
times.
The Republican party, however, while
claiming credit for the increase in cir
culatiOn. makes no permanent provision
for an adequate supply of standard money.
II denies the necessity for more real
money Wnlle II permits ildllOIIdl III ~
expand the volume of paper promises TO
pay money.
II the Populist felt justified in oppos-
ing the Republican party when it sought to
conceal its gold standard tendencies I'M
der the mask Of international bi-metal-
} ism, the opposition should be more pro
nounced in proportion as the Republican
party more openly espouses gold mono
! mentaliism.
! "In 1896 the reform forces charged the
Republican party with intending to re
tire the greenbacks. This charge, de
[ MED at the time, has been confessed by
, he financial bill, which converts green
backs, when once redeemed, into gold
| certificates. and extends new privileges
l to banks of issues. If a Populist oppos-
t ed the Republican party when its hostil-
t ity to greenbackS was only suspected.
l that opposition should &c greater now
since no one can longer doubt the pur-
pose of the Republican party to substi-
, tute bank notes for greenbacks.
e 1T is true that the Populists believe in
5 an ir~redeemable greenback, while the
. Democrats believe in a g~reenback re-
1 deemable in coin, but the vital question
at this time, so far as paper money is
U concerned is whether the Government or
banks shall issue it. There Will be time
enough to discuss the redeemability OF
d the greenbacks, when the greenback it
/ self is saved from the humiliation which
4 now threatens it. The Republican party IS
now committed to currency system which
necessitates g perpetual debt, while the
> P0puliSt finds himself in agreement with
the Democrats who believe in paying of
s the national debt as rapidly as possible
INCOME TAX, LABOR BUREAU, ETC
eff belief in an income tax justified {
n Populist in acting with the Democratic
party in 1896 what excuse can he finC
for aiding the Republican party now wheI
even the eyigencies OF war have not beer
sufficient to bring that party to the sup
10 port of the income tax principle?
'tPopulists believe in arbitration nov
X as much as they did in 1896 and are a:
,r much opposed to Government by %injunc'
n ton and the blacklist as they were then
! and upon these subjects they have a!
At much reason for cooperation with tn
At | Democratic party today as they had fou1
years ago.
Gnlp,oorotc on1 Dnrr1iCtC o11zn ay0r