"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.)