Kingston, NY Speech, 1896-08-25

Speech by William Jennings Bryan.

Speech by William Jennings Bryan
Monday, August 24, 1896 at 2:00pm
Landing, Kingston, NY

Source: FINDS MANY WARM FRIENDS, Mr. Bryan Is Greeted by an Enthusiastic Throng at His Every Stop, Omaha World-Herald (Morning Edition), Tuesday, August 25, 1896

"I do not care to make a speech, but I never see people gathered together without wanting to make a speech. I believe I represent the interests of the American people. I believe in platforms—platforms not to get in on, but platforms to stand on when you get in. I believe the money question is the paramount issue of this campaign. I want you to study the question and when you study remember there are some people who firmly believe in the gold standard." (Voice in the crowd, "That's good.")

EVERYONE IS INTERESTED.

"If you believe in bimetallism you ought to believe in it to the extent that you will vote with those who want to bring it about. No political party has ever declared for the gold standard. The man who advocates for the gold standard in this country is a man without a party and the man who thinks the gold standard is a bad thing, but that this nation must suffer under it until some other nations come to our relief, will be a man without a party after this election, if I am anything of a prophet. We must make politics a business this year. A man who has a small business is as much interested in it as a man who has a large business. It is all you have, and you have as much right to protect your small interests as other men have to protect their large interests. But I must close, for if I talk much longer I will have made a speech." (Cheers.)