Evansville, IL Speech, 1896-09-14

Speech by William Jennings Bryan.

Speech by William Jennings Bryan
Monday, September 14, 1896 at 1:00pm
The Corner of Ohio Street and First Avenue, Evansville, IL

Source: PASSING THROUGH ILLINOIS., Democratic Nominee Gets Ovations All Along the Line., Omaha World-Herald (Morning Edition), Tuesday, September 15, 1896

"As I came down the street here I notice a picture showing the mints open in one place and the factories in another and the Republican party assures the people it is trying to open the factories while we are trying to open the mints. Our policy means the opening of both mints and factories. The triumph of the Republican party means the closing of both mints and factories. (Applause.) Show me how the manufacturer can sell goods unless the people are able to buy them. As long as you drive down the price of farm products you make it impossible for the farmer to buy the products of the factories and until he can buy, you cannot open the factories. When they say they want to open the factories first and then times will be good, it is putting the cart before the horse. It is like saying a man has a good horse and it runs well if only he could make the wagon go. (Laughter.) People need clothing and other products of the factory. Why can't they buy them? Because when the farmer sells his crops in gold prices and pays his debts and taxes he has nothing left to spend at the store." (Applause.)