Owasso, MI Speech, 1896-10-17

Speech by William Jennings Bryan.

Speech by William Jennings Bryan
Saturday, October 17, 1896
Depot, Owasso, MI

Source: EDITOR SPEAKS NOT, Newspaper Man Who Questions Mr. Bryan Is Silent When His Turn Comes., Omaha World-Herald (Sunday Edition), Sunday, October 18, 1896

"I am informed that the editor of the Owasso Press is standing on that wagon in the rear of the crowd, and wears a blue cap. Now, I will ask him a question: Did you endorse the financial plank presented by the minority at the Chicago convention?"

EDITOR IS BASHFUL.

"I repeat the question—you have asked me questions, you ought to be willing to answer questions. Did you endorse the minority plank at Chicago?

Well, my friends, I have spent so much time trying to find the editor of this paper and to unmask a man who is seeking to elect a Republican by pretending to support the Indianapolis ticket that I find I have no time left to talk to you. I ask you to remember that the gold standard never fought an open fight. Those who supported the minority plank at Chicago pretended to be afraid that free coinage would prevent international bimetallism, and when they got to Indianapolis they forgot all about international bimetallism and declared for the gold standard. Then they nominated a ticket which they did not intend to vote for because they were not willing to bear the odium of voting for the Republican ticket. I prophecy that the editor of the Press does not intend to vote for Palmer and Buckner. I prophecy that he intends to vote for the Republican candidate, and that he is receiving money from the Republican candidate."