Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 October 1908 — Bryan’s Unshakable Purpose. [ARTICLE]

Bryan’s Unshakable Purpose.

Throughout his whole career William J. . Bryan has been steadfast to the Issue on which he became a figure tn national politics. z In his scheme for the free and unlimited coinage of silver he sincerely believes that he has devised a measure capable of enormously enriching the country and affording the basis for a sound and durable monetary system, in season and out of season year after year he has resolutely advocated that project, and it is only just to him to ’say that he has never lost faith in its ultimate triumph. His attitude is courageously defined in his own words: “We are opposed to the gold standard. We have commenced war against it. It is war to extermination. We ask no quarter, and we give no quarter." Mr. Bryan is thoroughly In. earnest in this matter. He honestly regards the gold standard not only as undesirable, but as wicked and oppressive to American wage earners. Whenever be has discussed It he has taken pains -to repeat and renew his pledge to destroy It if ever he gets the opportunity. The most active years of his life have been devoted to the support of the free coinage movement as opposed to a monetary system based on the gold standard, and in the course of his advocacy of that cause be has displayed a degree of energy, persistence and singleness of purpose which even his opponents are compelled to admire. There is no more excuse for misunderstanding Mr. Bryan’s attitude and aim this year than there was in 1896 or 1900. He has been entirely frank in his utterances respecting the money question and stands squarely by the record. He is enlisted in a war for the extermination of the gold standard, and that war, he gives notice, will be continued until its purpose is accomplished. He asks no quarter and will give none. Those—if there be any—who Imagine that Mr. Bryan’s war upon our present monetary system has been abandoned are merely , deceiving themselves. They do Mr. Bryan a grave Injustice. He is still true to the principles which he advocated twelve years ago, and in the event of his election those who assume to the contrary would find themselves the victims of a delusion both grotesque and dangerous in equal degree. It is time for all hands to understand that Mr. Bryan’s opposition to the gold standard is consistent and sincere, radical and unchanged.