Charlotte, NC Speech, 1896-09-17

Speech by William Jennings Bryan.

Speech by William Jennings Bryan
Thursday, September 17, 1896 at 9:30am
Post Office Park, Charlotte, NC

Source: STRANGE CONVERSION., Mr. Bryan Ridicules Republicans Now Sponsors for Cleveland., Omaha World-Herald (Morning Edition), Friday, September 18, 1896

"The Republican party has been legislating to make a dollar dearer and they deny that legislation has anything to do with the dollar. What provision does the Republican party make for the supply of the money you need? None whatever. I am not surprised that even men who have been Republicans all their lives are now in favor of the free coinage of silver. (Great applause.) I am not surprised when I find Republicans who recognize their principles of finance and apply them to the money question. I am not surprised that they desert the Republican party this year when it comes out and attempts to defend the Democratic administration, which was repudiated by the Democratic party itself. (Great applause.) You remember here in North Carolina the Republicans have made more capital by denouncing this administration than in any other way. What do you think now when the Republicans of North Carolina become the sponsors for the Democratic administration?" Wild applause.)

TRUE TO TRADITION

"I am not surprised that earnest and sincere Republicans prefer to stand with the Democratic party in demanding bimetallism, which even the Republican party of four years ago said was dear to the American people through tradition. I am not surprised that Republicans who eight years ago stood upon a platform that denounced the Democratic party for its attempt to demonetize silver; I am not surprised that those Republicans join with us today in demanding bimetallism, which has been the historic policy of the United States since 1776, received the support of all the states, Republican, Democratic, Whig and everything we ever had in this country." (Long and continuous applause.)