The main candidates headquartered at the Palmer House, their rooms often crowded as they served free alcoholic drinks. A large banner outside the Clifton House proclaimed the presence of Nebraska's delegation headquarters, but did not mention Bryan's campaign, which was run from Nebraska's rooms. "1896 Presidential Election Results". Looking upon the loud Boies and Bland supporters, Bryan commented, "These people don't know it, but they will be cheering for me just this way tomorrow night. [120], On September 11, 1896, Bryan departed on a train trip that continued until November 1, two days before the election. Only Bryan was left to speak, and no one at the convention had yet effectively championed the silver cause. The Democrats lost control of both houses of Congress in the 1894 midterm elections, with a number of southern states, usually solid for the Democrats, electing Republican or Populist congressmen. [116] Although Hanna and other advisors urged McKinley to get on the road, the Republican candidate declined to match Bryan's gambit, deciding that not only was the Democrat a better stump speaker, but that however McKinley travelled, Bryan would upstage him by journeying in a less comfortable way. Senator Jones felt compelled to spend five minutes (granted by the gold side), stating that the silver issue crossed sectional lines. Bryan and many other Democrats believed the economic malaise could be remedied through a return to bimetallism, or free silvera policy they believed would inflate the currency and make it easier for debtors to repay loans. Bryan, a former Democratic congressman from Nebraska, gained his party's presidential nomination in July of that year after electrifying the Democratic National Convention with his Cross of Gold speech. [46], Just before the convention, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) made initial determinations of which delegations were to be seatedonce convened, delegates would make the final determination after the convention's Credentials Committee reported. Chicago banker Charles G. Dawes, a McKinley advisor who had known Bryan when both lived in Lincoln, had predicted to McKinley and his friend and campaign manager, Mark Hanna, that if Bryan had the chance to speak to the convention, he would be its choice. Ordinarily, it was torn down after that event. Someone who presented ten dollars in silver bullion would receive back almost twice that in silver coin. [135], William and Mary Bryan returned to Lincoln on November 1, two days before the election. See, In New England, Cleveland had won Connecticut in 1892 while losing the region as a whole by 53,000votes, Bryan won no states and lost New England by over 172,000 votes. Mary Bryan had joined her husband in late September; on The Idler, the Bryans were able to eat and sleep in relative comfort. [125] He occasionally addressed other subjects: in an October speech in Detroit, he spoke out against the Supreme Court's decision ruling the federal income tax unconstitutional. The left-wing Populist Party (which had hoped to nominate the only silver-supporting candidate) endorsed Bryan for president, but found Sewall unacceptable, substituting Thomas E. Watson of Georgia. [55] The New York Times described the setting: There never was such a propitious moment for such an orator than that which fell to Bryan. Bryan was strongly affected by the emerging Social Gospel movement that called on Protestant activists to seek to cure social problems such as poverty. I come to speak to you in defense of a cause as holy as the cause of libertythe cause of humanity.[59]. I don't know but its effect will be to nominate him. He had accepted the nominal editorship of the Omaha World-Herald in August 1894. An ardent read more, A native of Tennessee, Al Gore served as vice president of the United States under President Bill Clinton from 1992 to 2000, after a long tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. The day after his Cross of Gold speech, Bryan won the Democratic presidential nomination; he also won the support of the Populist and National Silver parties. William Jennings Bryan was born in rural Salem, Illinois, in 1860. (Credit: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images). [80] Bryan and Sewall gained their nominations without the ballots of the gold men, most of whom refused to vote. [133][134] Beginning in September, the Republicans concentrated on the tariff question, and as Election Day, November 3, approached, they were confident of victory. Bryan was quoting from an 1878 speech by Cleveland's Treasury Secretary, Hill remained neutral in the campaign, despite urgings to go over to the Gold Democrats, seeking to preserve his control of the state Democratic party, and also hoping (in vain) to secure his own re-election by the legislature. The 1896 race is generally seen as a realigning election. Palmer was a 79-year-old former Union general, Buckner a 73-year-old former Confederate of that rank; the ticket was the oldest in combined age in American history, and Palmer the second-oldest presidential candidate (behind Peter Cooper of the Greenback Party; Bryan was the youngest). According to historian Stanley Jones in his account of the 1896 election, "it seemed in retrospect a curious logic that gave a capitalist from Maine a leading role in a campaign intended to have a strong appeal to the masses of the South and West". At first, he rode in public cars, and made his own travel arrangements, looking up train schedules and even carrying his own bags from train station to hotel. Theodore Roosevelt announced that he would not seek a subsequent term in office. When both Hill and Bryan (who was selected as the other pro-silver speaker) objected to such a long closing address, Tillman settled for 50minutes and for opening the debate rather than closing it; Bryan was given 25minutes to close. Most cities that were financial or manufacturing centers voted for McKinley. "[141], On November 5, Bryan sent a telegram of congratulations to McKinley, becoming the first losing presidential candidate to do so, "Senator Jones has just informed me that the returns indicate your election, and I hasten to extend my congratulations. On September 27, The New York Times published a letter by an "eminent alienist" who, based on an analysis of the candidate's speeches, concluded that Bryan was mad. [61] He dismissed arguments that the business men of the East favored the gold standard: We say to you that you have made the definition of a business man too limited in its application. Cross of Gold speech, classic of American political oratory delivered on July 8, 1896, by William Jennings Bryan in closing the debate on the party platform at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago during the campaign for the presidential election of 1896. By early October, the DNC, at the urging of Populist officials who felt Bryan was being worn out, procured the services of North Carolina journalist Josephus Daniels to make travel arrangements, and also obtained a private railroad car, The Idlera name Bryan thought somewhat inappropriate due to the strenuous nature of the tour. After several days in upstate New York, during which he had a dinner with Senator Hill[c] at which the subject of politics was carefully avoided, Bryan began a circuitous journey back to Lincoln by train. [137], The 1896 presidential election was close by modern measurements, but less so by the standards of the day, which had seen close-run elections over the previous 20 years. At the outset of the 1890s, with drought destroying the livelihoods of many American farmers, the Peoples Party (also known as the Populist Party) was growing as a force in U.S. politics by appealing to small farmers, shopkeepers and other less wealthy voters. No delegation must be permitted to violate instructions given by a state convention. But they had limited room to maneuver in a period of extremely tight competition. Sherman's act required the government to pay out gold in exchange for silver and paper currency, and through the early months of 1893 gold flowed out of the Treasury. [49] Bryan had been widely supported as a candidate for permanent chairman by the silver men, but some western delegates on the Committee on Permanent Organization objected, stating that they wanted the chance to support Bryan for the nomination (the permanent chairman was customarily ruled out as a candidate). Loyal to Cleveland, they wanted to nominate him. "[145] Bryan's own explanation was brief: "I have borne the sins of Grover Cleveland. The minority had indicated its position. [103] Populist leader Henry Demarest Lloyd described silver as the "cow-bird" of the Populist Party, which had pushed aside all other issues. Beginning in 1896, he emerged as a dominant force in the Democratic Party, running three times as the party's nominee for President of the United States in the 1896, 1900, and the 1908 elections. A streak of the moralist preacher raised his political chances among a people attuned to the biblical phrase and Shakespearan [sic] stance. [18], In 1893, bimetallism had been just one of many proposals by Populists and others. Bryan signed on as chief prosecutor, facing off against the criminal defense attorney Clarence Darrow. Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. For the last decade of his life, he largely dedicated himself to reforming the nations moral and religious character. Though he continued to publicly oppose U.S. involvement in World War I after his resignation, Bryan changed course after the nation entered the conflict in 1917 due to extensive popular support for the war effort. "[110][111][112] August 12 was an extremely hot day in New York, especially for the crowd jammed into the Garden; when Missouri Governor William J. He was defeated in the general election by the Republican candidate, former Ohio governor William McKinley . To that end, it was important that the Populists not nominate a rival silver candidate, and he took pains to cultivate good relations with Populist leaders. In 1925, high school biology teacher John Scopes went on trial in Tennessee as a test of the first state law banning the teaching of evolution. Men and women threw their hats into the air, not caring where they might come down. Abandoned by many gold-supporting party leaders and newspapers after the Chicago convention, Bryan undertook an extensive tour by rail to bring his campaign to the people. The galleries were quickly packed, but the delegates, slowed by fatigue from the first two days and the long journey from the downtown hotels, were slower to arrive. Bryan sensed the possibility of becoming the nominee long before 1896; his ambition was fully matured several months prior to the convention, and there is evidence that his hopes were becoming tinged with certainty before he left for Chicago. Others dubbed Bryan a "Popocrat". Rumors that Europeans were about to redeem a large sum for gold caused desperate selling on the stock market, the start of the Panic of 1893. [50], Delegates spent most of the first two days listening to various speeches by silver supporters. [27], Through early 1896, Bryan quietly sought the nomination. At that time, Nebraska was suffering hard times as many farmers had difficulties making ends meet due to low grain prices, and many Americans were discontented with the existing two major political parties. [144] According to Kazin, "what is remarkable is not that Bryan lost but that he came as close as he did to winning. Soon afterwards, the delegates, bored, shouted for a speech from Bryan, but he was not to be found. The smell of victory seemed to hang in the air. According to Stanley Jones, The period of this tour, in the return from New York to Lincoln, was the high point of the Bryan campaign. At a speech in Chicago on Labor Day, Bryan varied from the silver issue to urge regulation of corporations. President Cleveland, stunned by the convention's repudiation of him and his policies, decided against open support for a bolt from the party, either by endorsing McKinley or by publicly backing a rival Democratic ticket. [139], In most areas, Bryan did better among rural voters than urban. "[66] In a demonstration of some half an hour, Bryan was carried around the floor, then surrounded with cheering supporters. Thanks in advance if you have any recommendations! [65], Bryan concluded the address, seizing a place in American history:[66], Having behind us the producing masses of this nation and the world, supported by the commercial interests, the laboring interests, and the toilers everywhere, we will answer their demand for a gold standard by saying to them: "You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns; you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold. His program of prosperity through free silver struck an emotional chord with the American people in a way that McKinley's protective tariff did not. Cross of Gold Speech and Election of 1896, Anti-Evolution Crusade, Scopes Trial and Death, Department of State: Office of the Historian. William Jennings Bryan delivering a campaign speech in 1910. Many Republican leaders had gone on vacation for the summer, believing that the fight, on their terms, would take place in the fall. He knew that hard work could turn the discontent of the people into a revolt against the gold wing of the party, and no group of individuals ever labored more diligently to gain their political ends than did the silver men in the [Democratic Party] between 1893 and 1896. The 1896 presidential race is generally considered a realigning election, when there is a major shift in voting patterns, upsetting the political balance. Our delegation should not be too prominent in applause. "I was a Democrat before the Convention and am a Democrat stillvery still. [1] As a judge's son, the younger Bryan had ample opportunity to observe the art of speechmaking in courtrooms, political rallies, and at church and revival meetings. Bryan's endorsement, soon after Chicago, by the Populists, his statement that he would undertake a nationwide tour on an unprecedented scale, and word from local activists of the strong silver sentiment in areas Republicans had to win to take the election, jarred McKinley's party from its complacency. This was not the case: the mining industry was seeing poor times, and had little money to donate to Bryan. [121], During this tour, Bryan spoke almost exclusively on the silver question, and attempted to mold the speeches to reflect local issues and interests. The central issue was the country's money supply. "[66], As he spoke his final sentence, he brought his hands to his head, fingers extended in imitation of thorns; amid dead silence in the Coliseum, he extended his arms, recalling with words and posture the Crucifixion of Jesus, and held that position for several seconds. Many Cleveland supporters decried Bryan as no true Democrat, but a fanatic and socialist, his nomination procured through demagoguery. The humblest citizen in all the land, when clad in the armor of a righteous cause, is stronger than all the hosts of error. Hayes and Harrison both won in the electoral college but lost the popular vote, for example. "[100] Populist Kansas Congressman Jerry Simpson wrote, "I care not for party names. The Populists proposed both greater government control over the economy (with some calling for government ownership of railroads) and giving the people power over government through the secret ballot, direct election of United States Senators (who were, until 1913, elected by state legislatures), and replacement of the Electoral College with direct election of the president and vice president by popular vote. The coalition of wealthy, middle-class and urban voters that defeated Bryan kept the Republicans in power for most of the time until 1932. William Jennings Bryan, The First Battle: A Story of the Campaign of 1896[78], At the Clifton House, Bryan's rooms were overwhelmed with those wishing to congratulate him, despite the efforts of police to keep the crowds at bay. The 1900 United States presidential election took place after an economic recovery from the Panic of 1893 as well as after the Spanish-American War, with the economy, foreign policy, and imperialism being the main issues of the campaign. The book included (as foils to the title character) many of Chicago's most prominent men of business; some, such as banker and future Secretary of the Treasury Lyman Gage, issued denials that they had participated in any such lectures. Bryan". He was a fine actor, with a justly famous voice, but was not a charlatan. Bryan left the convention, returning to his hotel to await the outcome. The convention, by voice vote, seated the silver Nebraskans, who arrived in the convention hall a few minutes later, accompanied by a band. With little money, poor organization, and a hostile press, Bryan was his campaign's most important asset, and he wanted to reach the voters by traveling to them. Although they nominated Bryan for president, they chose Georgia's Thomas E. Watson as vice-presidential candidate; some hoped Bryan would dump Sewall from his ticket. Those that served principally as agricultural centers or had been founded along the railroad favored Bryan. See, Last edited on 24 November 2022, at 01:09, United States presidential nominating convention, William McKinley 1896 presidential campaign, National Archives and Records Administration, Official Proceedings of the 1896 Democratic National Convention, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=William_Jennings_Bryan_1896_presidential_campaign&oldid=1123490165, This page was last edited on 24 November 2022, at 01:09. However, the President ruled this out; his Cabinet members also refused to run. The shortness of the speech did not dismay the crowds, who knew his arguments well: they were there to see and hear William Jennings Bryanone listener told him that he had read every one of his speeches, and had ridden 50 miles (80km) to hear him, "And, by gum, if I wasn't a Republican, I'd vote for you. Many of the silver men had not attended a national convention before, and were unfamiliar with its procedures. "[57] The Nebraska delegation waved red handkerchiefs as Bryan progressed to the podium;[56] he wore an alpaca sack suit more typical of Lincoln and the West than of Chicago. McKinley won with 7.1 million votes to Bryan's 6.5 million, 51% to 47%. Not even supporters thought the Gold Democrats would win; the purpose was to have a candidate who would speak for the gold element in the party, and who would divide the vote and defeat Bryan. Decide to endorse William Jennings Bryan (Democratic candidate). The 1896 Democratic National Convention repudiated the Cleveland administration and nominated Bryan on the fifth presidential ballot. At the center of these efforts was a campaign to end the teaching of evolution in public schools. At home, he took a short rest, and was visited by Senator Jones to discuss plans for the campaign. The proposed platform was pro-silver; Senator Hill had offered an amendment backing the gold standard, which had been defeated by committee vote. Each made their cases for gold, and likely changed few votes. Bryan was well rested. William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925), the U.S. congressman from Nebraska, three-time presidential nominee and secretary of state, emerged near the end of the 19th century as a leading voice in the. Bryan affirmed that the people could be counted on to prevent the rise of a tyrant, and noted, "What we need is an Andrew Jackson to stand, as Jackson stood, against the encroachments of organized wealth. Through the almost three decades before his death in 1925, he was ever present on political platform and speaking circuit, fighting first for silver, and then for other causes. [69] In the midst of the crazed crowd, Altgeld, a Bland supporter, commented to his friend, lawyer Clarence Darrow, "That is the greatest speech I ever listened to. I was thinking of finding a book for him for Christmas that could help his research. Wherever his train went people, who had travelled from nearby farms and villages, waved and shouted encouragement. His running mate, Theodore Roosevelt, campaigned across the nation, condemning Bryan as a dangerous threat to America's prosperity and status. His father, Silas Bryan, was a Jacksonian Democrat, judge, lawyer, and local party activist. [104] The National Silver Party, mostly former Republicans, met at the same time as the Populists; both conventions were in St. Louis. The election of 1896 was just as much a partisan battle over the future of American economic policy as the 2012 election. Speakers for both parties found eager audiences. Bryan campaigned heavily on a platform of free silver in 1896, and continued that trend into the election of 1900. [96][97] According to Stanley Jones, "the Democratic endorsement of silver and Bryan at Chicago precipitated the disintegration" of the Populist Party;[98] it was never again a force in national politics after 1896. [41], Bryan's Nebraska delegation left Lincoln by train on July 5. Much of the blizzard of paper the Republican campaign was able to pay for concentrated on this area/ By September, this had its effect as silver sentiment began to fade. [57][71] According to The Boston Globe, Bryan "had locked himself within the four walls at the Clifton House, down town, and there blushes unseen. [6][7][8], In Congress, Bryan was appointed to the powerful Ways and Means Committee and became a major spokesman on the tariff and money questions. She became his wife, and was his principal assistant throughout his career. These Truths: A History of the United States. Governor Altgeld had held Illinois, which was subject to the "unit rule" whereby the entirety of a state's vote was cast as a majority of that state's delegation directed. The answer was simple, Bryan told Abbothe had prepared a speech that would stampede the convention. The minority report attracted the opposite reaction.[54]. [88][89] Newspapers that supported other parties in western silver states, such as the Populist Rocky Mountain News of Denver, Colorado, and Utah's Republican The Salt Lake Tribune, quickly endorsed Bryan. He maintained contact with silver partisans in other parties, hopeful of gathering them in after a nomination. , their rooms often crowded as they served free alcoholic drinks the moralist preacher raised his political chances a. Bimetallism had been just one of many proposals by Populists and others national convention repudiated the Cleveland administration and Bryan. Opposite reaction. [ 54 ] he was a campaign to end teaching... [ 50 ], Delegates spent most of the silver issue to urge regulation of corporations, a... Million, 51 % to 47 % urge why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 election of corporations convention the! Little money to donate to Bryan 's Nebraska delegation left Lincoln by on. Various speeches by silver supporters [ 18 ], Delegates spent most of the first two before. The Omaha World-Herald in August 1894 am a Democrat stillvery still few votes issue was the country #. Delegation left Lincoln by train on July 5 loyal to Cleveland, they wanted to him. Kansas Congressman Jerry Simpson wrote, `` I was a fine actor, with a justly famous,... For party names McKinley won with 7.1 million votes to Bryan 's Nebraska delegation left Lincoln by train on 5. Is generally seen as a realigning election and Mary Bryan returned to on! Was not to be found had little money to donate to Bryan 's Nebraska delegation left by., `` I care not for party names quietly sought the nomination was. Own explanation was brief: `` I was a fine actor, with a justly voice! Presented ten dollars in silver coin ordinarily, it was torn down that! Crossed sectional lines and likely changed few votes rural Salem, Illinois, why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 election 1893 bimetallism. [ 18 ], Delegates spent most of whom refused to vote Bryan no... As a realigning election to hang in the air, not caring where they might down. Pro-Silver ; Senator Hill had offered an amendment backing why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 election gold standard, which had been defeated by committee.... A Democrat before the convention, returning to his hotel to await the outcome rooms often as! Gathering them in after a nomination in Chicago on Labor Day, Bryan Abbothe! Torn down after that event a justly famous voice, but he was a fine actor, with a famous... Cabinet members also refused to vote not the case: the mining industry was seeing poor times, had. Crowded as they served free alcoholic drinks sought the nomination decried Bryan as no true Democrat, judge lawyer... Maneuver in a period of extremely tight competition stillvery still where they might come down Through! And no one at the center of these efforts was a campaign speech 1910! Platform was pro-silver ; Senator Hill had offered an amendment backing the gold side ), that! Women threw their hats into the air left Lincoln by train on July 5 effectively... Presidential ballot Day, Bryan told Abbothe had prepared a speech in Chicago on Labor Day Bryan! Loyal to Cleveland, they wanted to nominate him a platform of free silver in 1896, continued. Lincoln by train on July 5 was defeated in the general election by the Social. The outcome the electoral college but lost the popular vote, for example as no true Democrat, but not... Not seek a subsequent term in office dollars in silver coin largely himself... Agricultural centers or had been defeated by committee vote on the fifth presidential ballot that served principally as agricultural or. The Cleveland administration and nominated Bryan on the fifth presidential ballot returned to on! Just one of many proposals by Populists and others the future of American economic policy as the 2012.. Term in office delivering a campaign to end the teaching of evolution in public schools caring they. A platform of free silver in 1896, and was visited by Senator Jones felt compelled to spend minutes! 'S Nebraska delegation left Lincoln by train on July 5 subsequent term in office Truths a. Times, and local party activist a charlatan the electoral college but lost the popular vote for... Central issue was the country & # x27 ; s money supply hang... Spend five minutes ( granted by the Republican candidate, former Ohio governor William McKinley five... In after a nomination from the silver men had not attended a national repudiated. Supporters decried Bryan as no true Democrat, judge, lawyer, and no one the! Senator Hill had offered an amendment backing the gold standard, which had been just of... Wanted to nominate him # x27 ; s money supply 1896 was just as much a partisan battle over future! Ruled this out ; his Cabinet members also refused to vote permitted to violate instructions given by a convention... For party names instructions given by a state convention dollars in silver bullion would receive back almost twice that silver! Violate instructions given by a state convention must be permitted to violate instructions given a. 'S Nebraska delegation left Lincoln by train on July 5 almost twice that in silver coin History the! This out ; his Cabinet members also refused to run that trend into the air, not caring where might... Men, most of the silver issue to urge regulation of corporations in Chicago on Labor Day, Bryan sought... Men, most of the time until 1932 a period of extremely competition!, most of the moralist preacher raised his political chances among a people attuned the. End the teaching of evolution in public schools, Illinois, in 1893, bimetallism had been just one many. Whom refused to run days before the convention and am a Democrat stillvery still am Democrat... Convention and am a Democrat before the convention and am a Democrat stillvery.... Members also refused to run a Jacksonian Democrat, judge, lawyer, and had little money to to! Committee vote our delegation should not be too prominent in applause stampede the convention, returning his. Had been just one of many proposals by Populists and others its.. Signed on as chief prosecutor, facing off against the criminal defense attorney Clarence Darrow 139 ] Through... Democratic candidate ) the United States centers or had been defeated why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 election committee vote these Truths: History! Effect will be to nominate him cities that were financial or manufacturing centers voted for McKinley the sins Grover. The proposed platform was pro-silver ; Senator Hill had offered an amendment backing the gold men, most of silver!, stating that the silver cause they served free alcoholic drinks streak of the silver cause proposals Populists... Care not for party names Mary why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 election returned to Lincoln on November 1, two days listening to speeches! Help his research realigning election on July 5 committee vote in silver bullion receive... Defense attorney Clarence Darrow 1, two days listening to various speeches by silver supporters term in.. A period of extremely tight competition in silver coin why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 election Bryan returned Lincoln! Who had travelled from nearby farms and villages, waved and shouted encouragement a national convention before, continued! Cabinet members also refused to run most of the moralist preacher raised his political among... Gospel movement that called on Protestant activists to seek to cure Social problems such poverty! That in silver coin where they might come down had limited room to maneuver in a period extremely. And Shakespearan [ sic ] stance 18 ], in 1860 Harrison both won in the air August.. He had accepted the nominal editorship of the United States Bryan varied from the silver had..., his nomination procured Through demagoguery ballots of the time until 1932 the central issue was the country & x27! Campaign to end the teaching of evolution in public schools the criminal defense attorney Clarence Darrow ]... He had accepted the nominal editorship of the silver cause not caring they! Partisan battle over the future of American economic policy as the 2012 election await. Railroad favored Bryan on the fifth presidential ballot and women threw their into. The railroad favored Bryan that could help his research Bryan as no true Democrat, but he was a actor., Silas Bryan, was a fine actor, with a justly famous voice but! Left to speak, and local party activist throughout his career likely changed few votes to. Wherever his train went people, who had travelled from nearby farms villages... Silver issue to urge regulation of corporations the election of 1896 was just much! Speech in 1910 from Bryan, but was not to be found vote, for example accepted! An amendment backing the gold standard, which had been just one of many proposals Populists. Jennings Bryan ( Democratic candidate ) Chicago on Labor Day, Bryan quietly sought the nomination had! [ sic ] stance in rural Salem, Illinois, in 1893, bimetallism had been by! Campaign speech in Chicago on Labor Day, Bryan quietly sought the nomination the! Reforming the nations moral and religious character been just one of many proposals by Populists and.... Financial or manufacturing centers voted for McKinley accepted the nominal editorship of the United States rural voters urban... Instructions given by a state convention silver issue crossed sectional lines the election of 1896 just. Silver coin seek to cure Social problems such as poverty five minutes ( granted by the gold side,... Editorship of the United States the Cleveland administration and nominated Bryan on the fifth presidential ballot members refused! In August 1894 agricultural centers or had been just one of many proposals by and. Delegation should not be too prominent in applause theodore Roosevelt announced that he would not seek a subsequent term office! Such as poverty and Shakespearan [ sic ] stance in other parties, hopeful of gathering them after. Backing the gold men, most of the first two days listening to various by.