The labor world. [volume], November 07, 1896, Image 4

About The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current

Image provided by: Minnesota Historical Society; Saint Paul, MN

                
BRYAN.
Statement Issued By Him to
the Bimetallists of the
United States.
Warfare Against the Gold
Standard Will Be
Kept Up.
Defeat Brings To Him No
Feelings of Personal
Loss.
LINCOLN, Neb., Nov. 6—Mr.
Bryan today gave out the fol­
lowing to the bimetallists of the
United States: "Conscious that
millions of loyal hearts are sad­
dened by temporary defeat, I beg
to offer a word of hope and en­
couragement. No cause ever
had such supporters, more brave,
earnest and devoted, than those
who have espoused the cause of
bimetallism. They have fought
from conviction, and fought
with all the zeal which convic­
tion inspires. Events will prove
whether they are right or wrong.
Having done their duty as they
saw fit, they have nothing to
regret. The republican candi­
date has been heralded as the
advance agent of prosperity. If
his policies bring real prosperity
to the Amercan people, those
who opposed him will share in
that prosperity. If, on the other
hand, his policies prove an in­
jury to the people generally,
VOL. I. DULUTH AND SUPERIOR, NOV. 7, 1896.
m/
The Labor World
those of his supporters, who do
not belong to the office holding
class, or to the privileged classes
will suffer in common with those
who opposed him.
"The friends of bimetallism
have not been vanquished they
have simply been overcome
They believe that the gold stand­
ard is a conspiracy of the money­
changers against the wellfare of
the human race, and, until con­
vinced of their error, they will
continue the warfare against it.
The contest has been waged this
year under great embarrass­
ments and against great odds.
For the first time the public has
been stirred up on the money
question, as the paramount issue,
and this has been done in spite
of all attempts upon the part of
our opponents to prevent it. The
republican convention held out
the delusive hope of interna­
tional bimetalism, while repub­
lican leaders labored secretly for
gold monometallism gold stand­
ard democrats have publicly ad­
vocated the election of the In­
dianapolis ticket while they
labored secretly for the election
of the republican ticket.
"The trusts and corporations
have tried to excite a fear of
lawlessness, while they have
been defying the law, and Amer­
ican financiers have boasted that
they were secretly bartering
awav the nation's financial inde-
pendence. But in spite of the
efforts of the administration and
its supporters in spite of the
threats of money loaners at home
and abroad in spite of the coer­
cion practiced by corporation
employers in spite of trusts and
syndicates in spite of an enor­
mous republican campaign fund
and in spite of the influence of a
hostile daily press, bimetalism
has almost triumphed in its fight.
The loss of a few states, and
that, too, by a very small plu­
rality, has defeated bimetalism
for the present, but bimetalism
has emerged from the contest
stronger than it was for months
before.
"I desire to commend the work
of the three national committee­
men, which have joined in the
management of the campaign.
Co-operation between the mem­
bers of district political organi­
zations is always difficult, but it
has been less so this year than
usual. Interest in a common
cause of great importance has
reduced friction to a minimum.
I hereby express my personal
gratitude to the individuals as
well as to the executive officers
of the national committee of the
Democratic,Populistic and Silver
parties for their efficient, untir­
ing and unselfish labors. They
have laid the foundation for the
future success, and will be re­
membered as pioneers when vic­
tory is at last secured. No per­
son or political friend need grieve
because of my defeat. My am­
bition has been to secure imme­
diate legislation rather than to
enjoy the honors of office. There­
fore, defeat brings to me no feel­
ing of personal loss.
"Speaking for the wife, who
has shared my labors, as well as
for myself, I desire to say that
we have been amply repaid for
all that we have done. In the
love of millions of our fellow
citizens, so kindly expressed in
knowledge gained by coming
into personal contact with the
people, and in broadened sym­
pathies, we find full compensa­
tion for whatever efforts we have
put forth. Our hearts have been
touched bv the devotion of
No. 18