Weeping Water, NE Speech, 1896-08-08

Speech by William Jennings Bryan.

Speech by William Jennings Bryan
Friday, September 11, 1896
Depot, Weeping Water, NE

Source: RECEPTION AT WEEPING WATER, Mr. Bryan Addresses Some Encouraging Words to the Crowds., Omaha World-Herald (Morning Edition), Saturday, September 12, 1896

"Ladies and Gentlemen: I don't know whether I shall return to Nebraska again until just before the election or not, but I go away from Nebraska, feeling that it is not necessary for me to stay here. (Cheers.) I want to say to you, my friends, that from the reports which I have been receiving I don't believe there is a singly county in the state the republicans are sure of carrying this fall. (Great cheering.) And more than that, every day finds our cause growing stronger than it was the day before. (Cheers.) Every day finds persons who are declaring for free coinage, and I think I am safe in saying that you will not find among all your acquaintances a man who one month ago was in favor of free coinage at 16 to 1 and able to give a reason for it who has changed his mind. (Cheers.)

The people are studying the money question as they never studied it before, and study of the money question leads to an understanding of it, and when men understand it there are just a few people who will be for the gold standard. (Loud cheers.) And they will be the ones who will be pecuniarily interested in having dollars get bigger all the time while the masses of the people will be determined that no power on earth shall fasten the gold standard upon the American people. (Great cheering.) A little over a month ago I went into what I then called the 'enemy's country,' but I found down there just as much enthusiasm as there is in Nebraska. (Great cheering.) Today some parts of the country are more friendly than others, but there is no 'enemy's country.'" (Loud cheering.)