Rochelle, IL Speech, 1896-10-29

Speech by William Jennings Bryan.

Speech by William Jennings Bryan
Thursday, October 29, 1896 at 4:35pm
Store Front, Rochelle, IL

Source: OFF FOR WISCONSIN, Mr. Bryan Finishes His Chicago Campaign With a Long Day of Hard Work, Omaha World-Herald (Morning Edition), Friday, October 30, 1896; The Evening News, Friday, October 30, 1896

"They tell you that silver agitation has scared gold out. Gold is a mighty cowardly thing, if it is scared by a craze that is nearly dead as the Republicans say ours is. (Cheers.)

Is it sufficient to build up a financial system upon gold as a base when you cannot find gold when you want it? Do you build a house on an invisible foundation? (A voice, "Yes.") Well, a Republican would if he acted in house building like his party in finance." (Cheers.)

FORGETS BUSINESS RULES.

"Why is it that when a man begins to advocate the gold standard he has to forget what he ever learned in ordinary business transactions? Why is it he refuses to apply to the money question the things that govern him in his every day life? How can a man chloroform himself when he comes to discuss the money question so that he can believe in gold, any how? (Cheers.)

Ask yourselves these questions and decide, my friends."