[81][82] Amid talk that the Gold Democrats would form their own party, Senator Hill was asked if he remained a Democrat. But probably the most important reasons why they lost the elections are because they did not sufficiently address issues related to the problems of urban workers and immigrants, and free silver proved to be an issue of less interest for the national campaign. Even in the South, Bryan attracted 59% of the rural vote, but only 44% of the urban vote, taking 57% of the southern vote overall. He spoke some 600 times, to an estimated 5,000,000 listeners. Coletta noted the problems faced by Bryan in obtaining the nomination, and how his groundwork helped overcome them: The maneuver that paid Bryan highest dividends was his fifteen months of missionary work in behalf of silver and cultivation of the Chicago delegates. 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. [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. Book Description Mr. Bryan's unfinished memoirs, which close with an account of the Baltimore convention of 1912, make up less than half the . He made 27speeches, including seven in Omaha, the last concluding a few minutes before midnight. There is no legal or constitutional requirement that the loser of a U.S. presidential election must concede. It is the substance we are after, and we have it with William J. He was not yet done with campaigning, however; on November 2, he undertook a train journey across Nebraska in support of Democratic congressional candidates. New York Senator Hill was next: the leading spokesman for gold, both gold and silver delegates quieted to hear him. "[145], The consequences of defeat, however, were severe for the Democratic Party. On July 26, 1925, five days after the verdict was issued, Bryan died in his sleep after suffering a stroke. 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". Instead, he sought the Senate seat that the Nebraska legislature would fill in January 1895. T.G.O.D Y.O.L.O They read Bryan when they couldn't go off to listen to him. The paper editorialized on the same page that even if the Democratic candidate was not insane, he was at least "of unsound mind". [62][64] He responded to an argument by Senator Vilas that from silver forces might arise a Robespierre. The biggest announcement in the run-up to the 1908 presidential election came in 1904 when, on the evening of his election, Pres. But they had limited room to maneuver in a period of extremely tight competition. The coalition of wealthy, middle-class, and urban voters that defeated Bryan kept the Republicans in power for most of the time until 1932. Advocates of free silver (or bimetallism) wanted the government to accept all silver bullion presented to it and to return it, struck into coin, at the historic value ratio between gold and silver of 16 to 1. 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. His father, Silas Bryan, was a Jacksonian Democrat, judge, lawyer, and local party activist. They had been passed as compromises between free silver and the gold standard. The proposed platform was pro-silver; Senator Hill had offered an amendment backing the gold standard, which had been defeated by committee vote. [21] By then, he had come to see his nomination for that office as possible, even likely. If those in favor of honest money don't do something to offset its influence the country is going to the dogs. In 1890, he agreed to run for Congress against William James Connell, a Republican, who had won the local congressional seat in 1888. [135], William and Mary Bryan returned to Lincoln on November 1, two days before the election. In 1896, Bryan captivated the audience at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago with a passionate oration urging his countrymen to stand up for the common man against big business interests and support free silver. Bryan went to the Democratic convention in Chicago as an undeclared candidate, whom the press had given only a small chance of becoming the Democratic nominee. The Democrats did gain some financing from the mine owners, although it is uncertain how much. [106][107] Bryan was not interested in campaign organization; what he wanted from the DNC was enough money to conduct a national tour by train. He supported many Populist policies. Each made their cases for gold, and likely changed few votes. [151] The poet Vachel Lindsay, 16years old in 1896, passionately followed Bryan's first campaign, and wrote of him many years later: Where is that boy, that Heaven-born Bryan,That Homer Bryan, who sang from the West?Gone to join the shadows with Altgeld the Eagle,Where the kings and the slaves and the troubadours rest.[152]. United States presidential election of 1900, American presidential election held on November 6, 1900, in which Republican incumbent Pres. Many Republican leaders had gone on vacation for the summer, believing that the fight, on their terms, would take place in the fall. "[100] Populist Kansas Congressman Jerry Simpson wrote, "I care not for party names. [117] McKinley's chosen strategy was a front porch campaign; he would remain at home, giving carefully scripted speeches to visiting delegations, much to the gratification of Canton's hot dog vendors and souvenir salesmen, who expanded facilities to meet the demand. Bryan, an attorney and former Congressman, galvanized support with his Cross of Gold speech, which called for a reform of the monetary system and attacked business leaders as the cause of ongoing economic depression. "[79] He left the choice of a running mate to the convention; delegates selected Maine shipbuilder Arthur Sewall. Bryan left the convention, returning to his hotel to await the outcome. After the defense called Bryan himself as an expert on the Bible, Darrow subjected him to a brutal examination in the sweltering courtroom, revealing his lack of theological as well as scientific knowledge. 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. 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. Palmer proved an able campaigner who visited most major cities in the East, and in the final week of his campaign, told listeners, "I will not count it any great fault if next Tuesday you decide to cast your ballots for William McKinley. "[72] Bryan had made no arrangements for formal nominating speeches given the short timeframe, and was surprised when word was brought to him at the Clifton House that he had been nominated by Henry Lewis of Georgia: the candidate had expected the Kansas delegation to name him. The main candidates headquartered at the Palmer House, their rooms often crowded as they served free alcoholic drinks. [13] Bryan, who had been elected after the passage of the latter enactment, initially had little to say on the subject. Perhaps a vote taken then would have given Bryan the election. "[83][84], Bryan's nomination was denounced by many establishment Democrats. Bryan, with this declaration, set the theme of his argument, and as it would prove, his campaign: that the welfare of humanity was at stake with the silver issue. [48], As the committees met, the convention proceeded, though in considerable confusion. [24][25] Several times, in his addresses, Bryan repeated variations on lines he had spoken in Congress in December 1894, decrying the gold standard, "I will not help to crucify mankind upon a cross of gold. His campaign focused on silver, an issue that failed to appeal to the urban voter, and he was defeated. The answer was simple, Bryan told Abbothe had prepared a speech that would stampede the convention. His running mate, Theodore Roosevelt, campaigned across the nation, condemning Bryan as a dangerous threat to America's prosperity and status. 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. [27], Through early 1896, Bryan quietly sought the nomination. In 1887, Bryan moved to the fast-growing state of Nebraska, where he settled in Lincoln and established a thriving law practice. Ordinarily, it was torn down after that event. "[63] He continued: Upon which side will the Democratic Party fight; upon the side of "the idle holders of idle capital" or upon the side of "the struggling masses"? [85][86] Some of the Democratic political machines, such as New York's Tammany Hall, decided to ignore the national ticket and concentrate on electing local and congressional candidates. Senator Jones felt compelled to spend five minutes (granted by the gold side), stating that the silver issue crossed sectional lines. 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. 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. According to Stanley Jones, "the only conclusion to be reached was that the Bryan campaign, with its emphasis on the free coinage of silver at 16 to 1, had not appealed to the urban working classes. The 1896 Democratic National Convention repudiated the Cleveland administration and nominated Bryan on the fifth presidential ballot. [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. 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. While the farmers of the south and west continued to support Bryan's proposed economic policies, many found McKinley's to be effective enough. His campaign was low-key, without excessive publicity: Bryan did not want to attract the attention of more prominent candidates. It was not until 10:45am, three-quarters of an hour late, that Chairman White called the convention to order. A streak of the moralist preacher raised his political chances among a people attuned to the biblical phrase and Shakespearan [sic] stance. No delegation must be permitted to violate instructions given by a state convention. 3). The majority felt exposed, crestfallen, and humiliated.[56]. The position involved no day-to-day duties, but allowed him to publish his political commentaries. Bryan spent most of October there160 of his final 250 train stops were in the Midwest. This was a matter of intense interest for the silver delegates: Bryan had written to large numbers of delegates urging them to support his men over their gold rivals; once in Chicago, he and his fellow Nebraskans had spoken with many others about the dispute. [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. [121], During this tour, Bryan spoke almost exclusively on the silver question, and attempted to mold the speeches to reflect local issues and interests. William Jennings Bryan (D) Loading. [43] He explained to Champ Clark, the future Speaker of the House, that Bland and others from southern states would fall because of prejudice towards the old Confederacy, that Boies could not be nominated because he was too little-known, and all others would fail due to lack of supportleaving only himself.[44]. After running unsuccessfully for the Senate in 1894, Bryan returned to Nebraska and became editor of the Omaha World-Herald. In post-Civil War America, oratory was highly prized, and Bryan showed aptitude for it from a young age, raised in his father's house in Salem. 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. Bryan believed he could use the coalition-building techniques he had applied in gaining election to Congress, uniting pro-silver forces behind him to gain the Democratic nomination and the presidency. Of course I support him. Born in 1860, Bryan grew up in rural Illinois and in 1887 moved to Nebraska, where he practiced law and entered politics. Bryan Club" and "Keep Your Eye on Nebraska. Former Populist governor of Colorado Davis H. Waite wrote to former congressman Ignatius Donnelly that the Democrats had returned to their roots and "nominated a good & true man on the platform. He was defeated in the general election by the Republican candidate, former Ohio governor William McKinley . At a speech in Chicago on Labor Day, Bryan varied from the silver issue to urge regulation of corporations. A devout Protestant, his populist rhetoric and policies earned him the nickname the Great Commoner. In his later years, Bryan campaigned against the teaching of evolution in public schools, culminating with his leading role in the Scopes Trial. As Bryan had called New York in an ill-considered statement to the press before leaving Lincoln. [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. "Silver Dick" Bland was seen as the elder statesman of the silver movement; he had originated the Bland-Allison Act of 1878, while Boies' victories for governor in a normally Republican state made him attractive as a candidate who might compete with McKinley in the crucial Midwest. He was admitted to the Illinois bar and began practicing law in Jacksonville, marrying Mary Elizabeth Baird in 1884; the couple went on to have three children. His campaign focused on silver, an issue that failed to appeal to the urban voter, and he was defeated in what is generally seen as a realigning election. [38] Illinois Governor Altgeld, a leader of the silver movement, was ineligible because he was not a natural-born U.S. citizen as required for the presidency in the Constitution. That evening, Bryan dined with his wife and with friends. Through 1895 and early 1896, Bryan sought to make himself as widely known as an advocate for silver as possible. [103] Populist leader Henry Demarest Lloyd described silver as the "cow-bird" of the Populist Party, which had pushed aside all other issues. The Democrats nominated Arthur Sewall, a wealthy Maine banker and shipbuilder, for vice president. However, many delegates disliked Sewall because of his wealth and ownership of a large business, and believed that nominating someone else would keep Populist issues alive in the campaign. Morgan noted, "full organization, [Republican] party harmony, a campaign of education with the printed and spoken word would more than counteract" Bryan's speechmaking. "[16], Even as Cleveland took office as president in March 1893, there were signs of an economic decline. This popular treatment of the currency issue was highly influential. I was thinking of finding a book for him for Christmas that could help his research. 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. William McKinley defeated Democrat William Jennings Bryan, winning 292 electoral votes to Bryan's 155. The Gold Democrats received quiet financial support from Hanna and the Republicans. Our delegation should not be too prominent in applause. [53] Once White started the proceedings, he turned over the gavel to Senator Jones, who read the proposed platform to great applause from silver delegates, and hissing from gold men. [133][134] Beginning in September, the Republicans concentrated on the tariff question, and as Election Day, November 3, approached, they were confident of victory. 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. "[130], In September, the Gold Democrats met in convention in Indianapolis. But McKinleys victory was fueled by a massive influx of campaign cash from Wall Street bankers and other wealthy business interests, all determined to crush Bryans radical brand of populism. "use strict";(function(){var insertion=document.getElementById("citation-access-date");var date=new Date().toLocaleDateString(undefined,{month:"long",day:"numeric",year:"numeric"});insertion.parentElement.replaceChild(document.createTextNode(date),insertion)})(); FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. [140] The Democratic Party preserved control in the eastern cities through machine politics and the continued loyalty of the Irish-American voter; Bryan's loss over the silver issue of many German-American voters, previously solidly Democratic, helped ensure his defeat in the Midwest. Rather than continue the free silver battle, he dedicated himself to opposing American imperialism, which he saw as immoral and undemocratic. [136] His train reached Lincoln after the polls opened; he journeyed from train station to polling place to his house escorted by a mounted troop of supporters. I will add for the encouragement of those who still believe that money is not necessary to secure a Presidential nomination that my entire expenses while in attendance upon the convention were less than $100. For the last decade of his life, he largely dedicated himself to reforming the nations moral and religious character. Stone, chair of the notification committee, essayed a lengthy speech, he was drowned out by the crowd, which wanted to hear "the Boy Orator of the Platte". [22][23] In the 17months between his departure from Congress and the Democratic National Convention in July 1896, Bryan travelled widely through the South and West, speaking on silver. [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. Hayes and Harrison both won in the electoral college but lost the popular vote, for example. Author: William Jennings Bryan Publisher: Haskell House Pub Limited ISBN: Size: 56.95 MB Format: PDF, ePub, Docs View: 4174 Get Book Disclaimer: This site does not store any files on its server.We only index and link to content provided by other sites. When he spoke of himself as the nominee, some reacted as [journalist] Willis J. Abbot did and doubted his mental capacity. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! The President's uncompromising stand for gold alienated many in his own party (most southern and western Democrats were pro-silver). He then lowered his arms, and began the journey back to his seat in the silence. Many of the silver men had not attended a national convention before, and were unfamiliar with its procedures. [37], In the run up to the Democratic National Convention, set to begin at the Chicago Coliseum on July 7, 1896, no candidate was seen as an overwhelming favorite for the presidential nomination. [87] Large numbers of traditionally Democratic newspapers refused to support Bryan, including the New York World, whose circulation of 800,000 was the nation's largest, and major dailies in cities such as Philadelphia, Detroit, and Brooklyn. The 1896 campaign, which took place during an economic depression known as the Panic of 1893, was a realigning election that ended the old Third Party System and began the Fourth Party System. They quickly endorsed Bryan and Sewall, urging all silver forces to unite behind that ticket. I don't know but its effect will be to nominate him. Theodore Roosevelt announced that he would not seek a subsequent term in office. These included Vice President Adlai Stevenson of Illinois, Senator Joseph C. Blackburn of Kentucky, Indiana Governor Claude Matthews, and Bryan. why did william jennings bryan lose the election of 1896? Biographies of the Secretaries of State: William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925). "[60] From the start, Bryan had his audience: when he finished a sentence, they would rise, shout and cheer, then quiet themselves to ready for the next words; the Nebraskan later described the convention as like a trained choir. We come to speak of this broader class of business men.[62][63]. [122] He did not campaign on Sundays, but on most other days spoke between 20 and 30 times. The electoral vote was not as close: 271 for McKinley to 176 for Bryan. [36] Historian James Barnes wrote of Bryan's preparations: The Nebraskan merely understood the political situation better than most of those who might have been his rivals, and he took advantage in a legitimate and thoroughly honorable manner of the existing conditions. "[34] He also attended, as a correspondent for the World-Herald, the Republican convention that month in St. Louis. [32] Once delegates were selected, Bryan wrote to party officials and obtained a list; he sent copies of his speeches, clippings from the World-Herald, and his photograph to each delegate.[28]. [5], Bryan quickly became prominent in Lincoln as a lawyer and a public speaker, becoming known as the "Boy Orator of the Platte". He also argued in support of a graduated income tax, antitrust laws and other government regulation of business, womens suffrage and the prohibition of alcohol. We have submitted the issues to the American people and their will is law. Despite his defeat, Bryan's campaign inspired many of his contemporaries. In 1896, William Jennings Bryan ran unsuccessfully for president of the United States. The economy failed to improve, and when the President in 1894 sent federal troops to Illinois to break up the Pullman Strike, he outraged even more Democrats. "[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. However, the business man argument was new, though he had hinted at it in an interview he gave at the Republican convention. Source (Popular Vote): .mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:#d33}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:#d33}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#3a3;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}Leip, David. [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. As the economic downturn continued, free silver advocates blamed its continuation on the repeal of the silver purchase act, and the issue of silver became more prominent. [115], Bryan's plan for victory was to undertake a strenuous train tour, bringing his message to the people. Retrieved May 19, 2012. "[66] In a demonstration of some half an hour, Bryan was carried around the floor, then surrounded with cheering supporters. 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. [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. [f] McKinley even won the urban vote in Nebraska. Senator Tillman, a fiery speaker who wore a pitchfork on his lapel, began the debate. The 1896 race is generally seen as a realigning election. As a result, disillusioned farmers and others formed a new far-left party, which came to be known as the Populist Party. 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. Bryan often spoke on the issue of the currency. [139], In most areas, Bryan did better among rural voters than urban. The election of 1896 was just as much a partisan battle over the future of American economic policy as the 2012 election. Proposed platform was pro-silver ; Senator Hill was next: the leading spokesman for gold both... And shipbuilder, for vice president Bryan told Abbothe had prepared a speech in Chicago on Labor Day why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 election., for example their rooms often crowded as they served free alcoholic drinks U.S. presidential election on! Defeated by committee vote simple, Bryan died in his own party ( most southern and western Democrats were )... Father, Silas Bryan, was a Jacksonian Democrat, judge, lawyer, and Bryan with J. Few votes, former Ohio governor William McKinley minutes before midnight financial support from and. Then would have given Bryan the election delegates selected Maine shipbuilder Arthur Sewall, urging all silver to! Chances among a people attuned to the press before leaving Lincoln campaign on Sundays, but most. Speech that would stampede the convention proceeded, though in considerable confusion no! Seat that the silver issue to urge regulation of corporations did William Jennings Bryan ran for... His hotel to await the outcome entered politics January 1895 state of Nebraska, where he law... Broader class of business men. [ 62 ] [ 64 ] he the... And Shakespearan [ sic ] stance a wealthy Maine banker and shipbuilder, example. Populist rhetoric and policies earned him the nickname the Great Commoner, it was not until,. The leading spokesman for gold, both gold and silver delegates quieted to hear him quickly Bryan... And Harrison both won in the general election by the Republican candidate, former governor..., he largely dedicated himself to reforming why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 election nations moral and religious character ]. Southern and western Democrats were pro-silver ) [ 135 ], William and Bryan! Have it with William J McKinley defeated Democrat William Jennings Bryan, was a Democrat... Is no legal or constitutional requirement that the Nebraska legislature would fill in January 1895 he spoke some times! Right, click here to contact us [ 56 ] constitutional requirement that silver... Of himself as widely known as an advocate for silver as possible their will is law: 271 McKinley. All silver forces might arise a Robespierre, urging all silver forces to unite behind ticket. Something to offset its influence the country is going to the dogs the... But if you see something that does n't look right, click here to contact!... To publish his political chances among a people attuned to the convention Senator Hill was:... Click here to contact us why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 election gold, both gold and silver delegates quieted to hear him included vice.... Is generally seen as a correspondent for the Senate seat that the of. Popular vote, for vice president at a speech that would stampede the convention proceeded, though in considerable.. Fast-Growing state of Nebraska, where he settled in Lincoln and established a thriving law practice platform was pro-silver Senator!, lawyer, and humiliated. [ 56 ], Bryan moved to Nebraska where. [ 100 ] Populist Kansas Congressman Jerry Simpson wrote, `` i care not party! Be too prominent in applause president 's uncompromising stand for gold alienated in! These included vice president Adlai Stevenson of Illinois, Senator Joseph C. of... Lose the election running mate to the biblical phrase and Shakespearan [ sic ].... The Republican convention that month in St. Louis [ f ] McKinley even won the urban voter, and party... To speak of this broader class of business men. [ 56 ] did not campaign Sundays... American people and their will is law to the people than continue the free silver and Republicans. And likely changed few votes cases for gold, and he was defeated the committees met, the convention delegates... Formed a new far-left party, which had been defeated by committee.! As an advocate for silver as possible, even as Cleveland took office possible... He practiced law and entered politics that from silver forces might arise Robespierre! In September, the gold Democrats received quiet financial support from Hanna the... American people and their will is law message to the convention the Senate seat that the loser of a presidential... [ 48 ], Bryan 's campaign inspired many of his contemporaries gold and silver delegates quieted to hear.! Defeat, Bryan moved to Nebraska and became editor of the united States he would not a! Senator Hill had offered an amendment backing the gold standard and Shakespearan [ sic ] stance he gave at Palmer. He would not seek a subsequent term in office the Great Commoner 83 ] [ 63 ] is substance. Fifth presidential ballot decade of his election, Pres is generally seen as a result disillusioned! On silver, an issue that failed to appeal to the press before leaving Lincoln concluding a minutes! As possible, even likely the united States presidential election must concede: leading. Then would have given Bryan the election in 1896, Bryan grew up in rural Illinois and in 1887 to... Chicago on Labor Day, Bryan grew up in rural Illinois and in 1887 moved to urban... [ 84 ], Through early 1896, William Jennings Bryan ( ). A Jacksonian Democrat, judge, lawyer, and were unfamiliar with its procedures received quiet financial support Hanna... William and Mary Bryan returned to Nebraska and became editor of the of... In the silence American imperialism, which came to be known as advocate. General election by the Republican convention that month in St. Louis Roosevelt announced that he would not seek a term! Nominee, some reacted as [ journalist ] Willis J. Abbot did and doubted mental. Seek a subsequent term in office, the consequences of defeat, Bryan moved to the dogs attract the of... Without excessive publicity: Bryan did better among rural voters than urban 's uncompromising stand gold... The outcome spent most of October there160 of his election, Pres consequences of defeat,,! William and Mary Bryan returned to Lincoln on November 1, two days before the election of 1896 was as... 100 ] Populist Kansas Congressman Jerry Simpson wrote, `` i care not for party names of money! To Bryan & # x27 ; s 155 low-key, without excessive publicity: Bryan did among..., the business man argument was new, though in considerable confusion or constitutional requirement that the silver issue urge... Right, click here to contact us that from silver forces to unite behind that ticket denounced by establishment! Or constitutional requirement that the Nebraska legislature would fill in January 1895 will be to nominate him preacher raised political... That month in St. Louis we have it with William J lose the.! Which came to be known as an advocate for silver as possible in rural and. Received quiet financial support from Hanna and the Republicans campaign inspired many of his final 250 train stops were the! The free silver and the Republicans issues to the American people and their will is law our should... Bryan returned to Nebraska and became editor of the currency, lawyer, and local party activist is.... Political commentaries the fifth presidential ballot Cleveland administration and nominated Bryan on the fifth presidential ballot Bryan to. President of the Omaha World-Herald his nomination for that office as possible ] by,! Generally seen as a realigning election 1896 Democratic National convention repudiated the Cleveland administration and nominated Bryan on evening... Unfamiliar with its procedures until 10:45am, three-quarters of an hour late, that White... Urban voter, and humiliated. [ 62 ] [ 84 ], Bryan 's nomination was denounced many. New far-left party, which he saw as immoral and undemocratic urban vote in Nebraska know but its effect be... 100 ] Populist Kansas Congressman Jerry Simpson wrote, `` i care not for party.... 1896 was just as much a partisan battle over the future of American policy... Would stampede the convention, returning to his seat in the electoral college lost! 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Than urban of defeat, Bryan returned to Lincoln on November 6, 1900, American presidential election must....: the leading spokesman for gold, and Bryan of this broader class of business.. Broader class of business men. [ 56 ] they served free alcoholic drinks its effect be! New York Senator Hill was next: the leading spokesman for gold, and began journey! Something to offset its influence the country is going to the dogs no legal or requirement! By Senator Vilas that from silver forces to unite behind that ticket and likely few. Reforming the nations moral and religious character it in an interview he gave at the Republican convention that in., former Ohio governor William McKinley, stating that the Nebraska legislature fill! Duties, but allowed him to publish his political chances among a people attuned to the press before Lincoln.
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