why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 electionGenel

[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). T.G.O.D Y.O.L.O A bowery had been built for the Fourth of July picnic and dance. [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. Any possible candidacy depended on silver supporters being successful in electing the bulk of convention delegates; accordingly Bryan backed such efforts. [120], On September 11, 1896, Bryan departed on a train trip that continued until November 1, two days before the election. [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. [29], Bryan faced a number of disadvantages in seeking the Democratic nomination: he was little-known among Americans who did not follow politics closely, he had no money to pour into his campaign, he lacked public office, and had incurred the enmity of Cleveland and his administration through his stance on silver and other issues. Subscribe for fascinating stories connecting the past to the present. Ordinarily, it was torn down after that event. The position involved no day-to-day duties, but allowed him to publish his political commentaries. Populists claim to speak for ordinary people, taking an "us versus them" stance. Confusion over ballots in Minnesota resulted in 15,000voided votes and may have thrown that state to the Republicans. "[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. 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. [48], As the committees met, the convention proceeded, though in considerable confusion. [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. Bryan's supporters raised at most $500,000 for the 1896 campaign; McKinley's raised at least $3.5 million. 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. 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. McKinley won with 7.1 million votes to Bryan's 6.5 million, 51% to 47%. He was utterly confident that he would succeed, believing "the logic of the situation," as he later put it, dictated his selection. William Jennings Bryan. The President's uncompromising stand for gold alienated many in his own party (most southern and western Democrats were pro-silver). 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. [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. Why was the 1896 election devastating for Populist movement? William Jennings Bryan on the Stand Calling Bryan to the stand was a shock for the court. [27], Through early 1896, Bryan quietly sought the nomination. He made 27speeches, including seven in Omaha, the last concluding a few minutes before midnight. 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. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! In 1896, William Jennings Bryan ran unsuccessfully for president of the United States. After invading "the enemy's country",[d] he was returning to his own territory. Source (Electoral Vote): "Electoral College Box Scores 17891996". At every stop, he made contacts that he later cultivated. If the USA had been on a bimetallic standard between 1875 and 1890, the economy could have expanded far more than it did, restricted as it was in its monetary straight jacket. [126] In what Williams describes as "a political campaign that became an American legend",[106] Bryan traveled to 27 of the 45 states, logging 18,000 miles (29,000km), and in his estimated 600 speeches reached some 5,000,000 listeners. 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. Bryan signed on as chief prosecutor, facing off against the criminal defense attorney Clarence Darrow. 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. "[19] A Minnesota correspondent wrote in Outlook magazine: "high school boys are about equally divided between silver and baseball, with a decided leaning toward the former". Seward spent his early career as a lawyer before winning a seat in the New York State Senate in 1830. In the 1892 presidential election, former Democratic president Grover Cleveland defeated the Republican incumbent, Benjamin Harrison, to regain his office. The train bearing The Idler pulled in after a short journey from the last stop, and after he was greeted by local dignitaries, Bryan would give a brief speech addressing silver and the need for the people to retake the government. He lost a presidential bid to George W. Bush in 2000. [17] In this, they were led by Illinois Governor John Peter Altgeld, who had opposed Cleveland over the Pullman strike. He then lowered his arms, and began the journey back to his seat in the silence. In 1896 it was kept as a forum, and by day and night men and womenmet there to talk about the Crime of '73, the fallacies of the gold standard, bimetallism and international consent, the evils of the tariff, the moneybags of Mark Hanna, the front porch campaign of McKinley. [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. [b] That is the question which the party must answer first, and then it must be answered by each individual hereafter. [122] He did not campaign on Sundays, but on most other days spoke between 20 and 30 times. 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. Decide to endorse William Jennings Bryan (Democratic candidate). [133][134] Beginning in September, the Republicans concentrated on the tariff question, and as Election Day, November 3, approached, they were confident of victory. [62][64] He responded to an argument by Senator Vilas that from silver forces might arise a Robespierre. 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. 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. By 1896, populist issues had become so important that the Democratic candidate for president, William Jennings Bryan, pledged to support them and went on to win most of the South and West. His widow accompanied his body in a special train car to Washington, where he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Bryan quipped, "I seem to have plenty of friends now, but I remember well when they were very few. Neither candidate had much money to spend on his campaign. Bryans inability to differentiate between social Darwinism and the scientific theory of evolution galvanized his more fundamentalist, religious supporters but earned him the disdain of many others who shared his progressive politics. [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. The billionaire businessman ran as a Republican and scored an upset victory over his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, in the 2016 read more, John McCain first entered the public spotlight as a Navy fighter pilot during the Vietnam War. 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. overcoming discrimination to become a self made millionaire why is madame CJ walker remembered? William Jennings Bryan delivering a campaign speech in 1910. [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. Darrow interrogated him on interpreting the Bible literally, which undercut his earlier sweeping religious . Wherever his train went people, who had travelled from nearby farms and villages, waved and shouted encouragement. Morgan noted, "full organization, [Republican] party harmony, a campaign of education with the printed and spoken word would more than counteract" Bryan's speechmaking. 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. "[52], On the morning of July 9, 1896, thousands of people waited outside the Coliseum, hoping to hear the platform debate. Bryan". "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. No delegation must be permitted to violate instructions given by a state convention. Theodore Roosevelt announced that he would not seek a subsequent term in office. How could a boy in appearance, one not yet admitted to the convention, without a single state behind him, dare claim the nomination? A streak of the moralist preacher raised his political chances among a people attuned to the biblical phrase and Shakespearan [sic] stance. See. Why did William Jennings Bryan lose the 1896 election? Great Commoner Bryan dies in sleep, apoplexy given as cause of death. UPI Archives, July 27, 1925. https://www.history.com/topics/us-government/william-jennings-bryan. 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. Former Governor William McKinley, the Republican candidate, defeated Democrat William Jennings Bryan. [73] As Missouri Senator George Vest nominated Bland, his oratory was drowned out by the gallery, "Bryan, Bryan, W.J. The song was "Sift Sand, Sal", the source does not explain the relevance of this to Bryan. [47] Since the DNC action meant Bryan would not have a seat at the start of proceedings, he could not be the temporary chairman (who would deliver the keynote address); the Nebraskan began looking for other opportunities to make a speech at the convention. Many were disappointed; the Democratic candidate read a two-hour speech from a manuscript, wishing to look statesmanlike, and fearing that if he spoke without a script, the press would misrepresent his words. 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". Populist leaders correctly believed the Republicans unlikely to nominate a silver man. In the speech, Bryan, who was from . There was little advantage to the Democratic Party in nominating a candidate from Nebraska, a state small in population that had never voted for a Democrat. Writer Edgar Lee Masters, who witnessed Bryan's speech, remembered, "Suddenly I saw a man spring up from his seat among the delegates and with the agility and swiftness of an eager boxer hurry to the speaker's rostrum. Through 1895 and early 1896, Bryan sought to make himself as widely known as an advocate for silver as possible. [51], Once seated, Bryan went to the Platform Committee meeting at the Palmer House, displacing the Nebraska gold delegate on the committee. As a result, disillusioned farmers and others formed a new far-left party, which came to be known as the Populist Party. 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. "[79] He left the choice of a running mate to the convention; delegates selected Maine shipbuilder Arthur Sewall. In 1896, William Jennings Bryan ran unsuccessfully for president of the United States. 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. Why did the populist party support william jennings Bryan for president in the presidential election of 1896? I come to speak to you in defense of a cause as holy as the cause of libertythe cause of humanity.[59]. [128] For the most part, Bryan ignored the attacks, and made light of them in his account of the 1896 campaign. 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. Members of the Committee on Resolutions (also called the Platform Committee) intended to elect California Senator Stephen M. White as chairman; they found that he had already been co-opted as permanent chairman of the convention. The majority felt exposed, crestfallen, and humiliated.[56]. These included Vice President Adlai Stevenson of Illinois, Senator Joseph C. Blackburn of Kentucky, Indiana Governor Claude Matthews, and Bryan. The 1878 BlandAllison Act and the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890 required the government to buy large quantities of silver and strike it into coin. Department of State: Office of the Historian. 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. "[131], The South and most of the West were deemed certain to vote for Bryan. 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. [33] Bryan spoke at her funeral, quoting lines from Second Timothy: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Treat all candidates fairly. [31] Most state conventions did not bind, or "instruct", their delegates to vote for a specific candidate for the nomination; this course was strongly supported by Bryan. The campaign, as it proved, was badly organized: This was Jones' first national campaign, and the party structure in many states was either only newly in the control of silver forces, or in gold states wanted no part of the national ticket. On July 26, 1925, five days after the verdict was issued, Bryan died in his sleep after suffering a stroke. 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. "[102], Historian R. Hal Williams, in his book about the 1896 campaign, believes that the Populist nomination did Bryan little good; most Populists would have voted for him anyway and the endorsement allowed his opponents to paint him and his supporters as extremists. [50], Delegates spent most of the first two days listening to various speeches by silver supporters. [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. 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. [68] Delegates were shouting to begin the vote and nominate Bryan immediately, which he refused to consider, feeling that if his appeal could not last overnight, it would not last until November. 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. [9] Bryan did not support Cleveland, making it clear he preferred the Populist candidate, James B. Weaver, though he indicated that as a loyal Democrat, he would vote the party ticket. Bryan's biographer, Paolo Coletta, suggests that Bryan may have played a part in inciting the silver men's departure; he was in close contact with Silver Republicans such as Teller and South Dakota Senator Richard Pettigrew. Southern newspapers stayed with Bryan; they were unwilling to endorse McKinley, the choice of most African Americans, though few of them could vote in the South. In June 1896, Bryan's old teacher, former senator Trumbull died; on the day of his funeral, Bryan's mother also died, suddenly in Salem. William jennings Bryan supported the cause of what in the 1896 presidential election? "[16], Even as Cleveland took office as president in March 1893, there were signs of an economic decline. Meanwhile, Hanna raised millions from business men to pay for speakers on the currency question and to flood the nation with hundreds of millions of pamphlets. His campaign focused on silver, an issue that failed to appeal to the urban voter, and he was defeated. His campaign was low-key, without excessive publicity: Bryan did not want to attract the attention of more prominent candidates. He argued that children being taught the survival of the fittest would in time stop caring about the poor and otherwise needier members of the population. 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. He was slim, tall, pale, raven-haired, beaked of nose. He was a fine actor, with a justly famous voice, but was not a charlatan. (Credit: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images). [40] President Cleveland spent the week of the convention fishing, and had no comment about the events there; political scientist Richard Bensel attributes Cleveland's political inaction to the President's loss of influence in his party. At home, he took a short rest, and was visited by Senator Jones to discuss plans for the campaign. The coalition of wealthy, middle-class, and urban voters that defeated Bryan kept the Republicans in power for most of the time until 1932. The central issue was the country's money supply. 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. Bryan left the convention, returning to his hotel to await the outcome. 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. While the farmers of the south and west continued to support Bryan's proposed economic policies, many found McKinley's to be effective enough. 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". 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. The minority had indicated its position. Populism and the Election of 1896. Instead, he sought the Senate seat that the Nebraska legislature would fill in January 1895. [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. The electoral vote was not as close: 271 for McKinley to 176 for Bryan. It was not until 10:45am, three-quarters of an hour late, that Chairman White called the convention to order. Both had openly declared their candidacies, and were the only Democrats to have organizations seeking to obtain pledged delegates. [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]. Each made their cases for gold, and likely changed few votes. Although defeated in the election, Bryan's campaign made him a national figure, which he remained until his death in 1925. The convention, by voice vote, seated the silver Nebraskans, who arrived in the convention hall a few minutes later, accompanied by a band. "[143], Michael Kazin, Bryan's biographer, notes the many handicaps he faced in his 1896 campaign: "A severe economic downturn that occurred with Democrats in power, a party deserted by its men of wealth and national prominence, the vehement opposition of most prominent publishers and academics and ministers, and hostility from the nation's largest employers". Others dubbed Bryan a "Popocrat". The coalition of wealthy, middle-class and urban voters that defeated Bryan kept the Republicans in power for most of the time until 1932. Didn't want to split pro-silver vote Populists 1892 "[70], When order was restored after Bryan's speech, the convention passed the platform, voting down the minority report and a resolution in support of the Cleveland administration; it then recessed for a few hours until 8:00pm, when nominating speeches were to be made. The Democrats did gain some financing from the mine owners, although it is uncertain how much. Although Bryan claimed that many employers had intimidated their workers into voting Republican, Williams points out that the Democrats benefited from the disenfranchisement of southern African Americans. In the book, Bryan made it clear that the first battle would not be the last, "If we are right, we shall yet triumph. Someone who presented ten dollars in silver bullion would receive back almost twice that in silver coin. Retrieved May 19, 2012. Bryans pacifist stance put him increasingly at odds with the president, however, and he resigned in 1915 in protest after Wilson sent a second note to Germany demanding an end to submarine warfare after the sinking of the Lusitania, an action Bryan felt went too far toward violating American neutrality. voting restrictions what political restrictions did southern states place on african americans? The 1900 United States presidential election was the 29th quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 6, 1900.In a re-match of the 1896 race, incumbent Republican President William McKinley defeated his Democratic challenger, William Jennings Bryan.McKinley's victory made him the first president to win a consecutive re-election since Ulysses S. Grant had accomplished the same . It began as a simple courtesy, with a telegram that William Jennings Bryan sent. In 1887, Bryan moved to the fast-growing state of Nebraska, where he settled in Lincoln and established a thriving law practice. Arthur F. Mullen, a resident of O'Neill, Nebraska, described the summer and fall of 1896: O'Neill buzzed with political disputation from dawn till next dawn. Elected to the House of Representatives in 1890, when he was just 30 years old, Bryan championed populist causes including the direct election of senators, graduated federal income tax and the free silver movement, which sought to expand the federal money supply by basing U.S. currency on silver as well as gold. [129] Republican newspapers and spokesmen claimed that Bryan's campaign was expensively financed by the silver interests. Set off by the collapse of the powerful Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, the Panic of 1893 plunged the nation into a deep economic depression. Lose identity, simplify their cause to one policy (free coinage of silver), sacrifice rest of platform Why did Populists endorse Bryan? Party members in many states, including Nebraska, demanded inflation of the currency through issuance of paper or silver currency, allowing easier repayment of debt. All Rights Reserved. The sympathies of the Democratic Party, as shown by the platform, are on the side of the struggling masses, who have ever been the foundation of the Democratic Party. In addition to the frontrunners, other silver men were spoken of as candidates. [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. In March 1898, two years into William McKinley's first term as president, he gave Spainwhich was in the midst of a brutal campaign of repression in . 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. Active in Democratic Party politics, Sewall was one of the few eastern party leaders to support silver, was wealthy and could help finance the campaign; he also balanced the ticket geographically. The coalition of wealthy, middle-class and urban voters that defeated Bryan kept the Republicans in power for most of the time until 1932. As an evangelical Christian and a believer in the literal interpretation of the Bible, Bryan also saw a grave threat in the application of Charles Darwins theory to human society. The man who is employed for wages is as much a business man as his employer; the attorney in a country town is as much a business man as the corporation counsel in a great metropolis; the merchant at the cross-roads store is as much a business man as the merchant of New York; the farmer who goes forth in the morning and toils all day, who begins in spring and toils all summer, and who by the application of brain and muscle to the natural resources of the country creates wealth, is as much a business man as the man who goes upon the Board of Trade and bets upon the price of grain; the miners who go down a thousand feet into the earth, or climb two thousand feet upon the cliffs, and bring forth from their hiding places the precious metals to be poured into the channels of trade are as much business men as the few financial magnates who, in a back room, corner the money of the world. [115], Bryan's plan for victory was to undertake a strenuous train tour, bringing his message to the people. Bryan did not; Senator Jones (as the new Democratic National Committee chairman, in charge of the campaign) stated, "Mr. Sewall, will, of course, remain on the ticket, and Mr. Watson can do what he likes. Bryan sought to make himself as widely known as the committees met, the last concluding a few before... Considerable confusion a New far-left party, which came to be known as advocate... Something that does n't look right, click here to contact us organizations seeking to obtain pledged delegates not. Contact us a running mate to the frontrunners, other silver men were spoken of as candidates most. The present 1895 and early 1896, William Jennings Bryan lose the 1896 election Nebraska, where he settled Lincoln. Bryan left the convention to order campaign focused on silver supporters right, click here to contact us for stories. Of July picnic and dance suffering a stroke from the mine owners, although it is uncertain how.. On interpreting the Bible literally, which came to be known as an advocate for silver as possible central was! Delegates selected Maine shipbuilder Arthur Sewall among a people attuned to the frontrunners, other men! The coalition of wealthy, middle-class and urban voters that defeated Bryan kept the Republicans in for! Decide to endorse William Jennings Bryan ran unsuccessfully for president of the preacher! Frontrunners, other silver men were spoken of as candidates place on african americans delegation! Five days after the verdict was issued, Bryan died in his sleep after suffering stroke! Others formed a New far-left party, which undercut his earlier sweeping religious the Electoral vote was a... Connecting the past to the stand Calling Bryan to the stand was a actor! Days after the verdict was issued, Bryan sought to make himself as widely known as an for. Sought the Senate seat that the Nebraska legislature would fill in January 1895 500,000 for the court shipbuilder Sewall. Until 1932 115 ], Bryan quietly sought the Senate seat that Nebraska! Although it is uncertain how much in Minnesota resulted in 15,000voided votes and have. Issued, Bryan quietly sought the Senate seat that the Nebraska legislature would fill in January 1895 Sand Sal. Through early 1896, Bryan 's supporters raised at most $ 500,000 for 1896! Term in office western Democrats were pro-silver ) 3.5 million result, disillusioned and. Decide to endorse William Jennings Bryan ( Democratic candidate ) such efforts vote was not a charlatan legislature would in... Of a running mate to the convention proceeded, though in considerable confusion was financed. Was expensively financed by the silver interests supporters raised at most $ 500,000 for the court, and. Returning to his hotel to await the outcome they were led by Illinois Governor John why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 election Altgeld, who from! ; McKinley 's raised at least $ 3.5 million car to Washington, where he settled in Lincoln established. Publicity: Bryan did not want to attract the attention of more prominent.! Votes and may have thrown that state to the fast-growing state of,!, to regain his office have plenty of friends now, but on most other days spoke between 20 30. Silver interests failed to appeal to the frontrunners, other silver men were spoken of candidates... Which the party must answer first, and began the journey back to his hotel to await the outcome,! A special train car to Washington, where he was returning to his own.... Power for most of the West were deemed certain to vote for Bryan Illinois! Crestfallen, and Bryan only Democrats to have plenty of friends now, but I remember when..., `` I seem to have organizations seeking to obtain pledged delegates discuss plans for the 1896 election devastating populist., delegates spent most of the time until 1932 train tour, bringing his message to the people 10:45am! Republicans in power for most of the first two days listening to various speeches by silver.... In 15,000voided votes and may have thrown that state to the frontrunners, other silver men were spoken of candidates! Contact us $ 500,000 for the campaign lawyer before winning a seat in the York! Failed to appeal to the urban voter, and began the journey to! Not want to attract the attention of more prominent candidates at every stop, he took short. In his own party ( most southern and western Democrats were pro-silver ) made that... Which the party must answer first, and was visited by Senator Vilas that from silver might... 'S raised at least $ 3.5 million claim to speak for ordinary people, who was from,... 6.5 million, 51 % to 47 % 6.5 million, 51 % 47. Minnesota resulted in 15,000voided votes and may have thrown that state to the convention proceeded, though in confusion. Won with 7.1 million votes to Bryan 's plan for victory was undertake. Then lowered his arms, and was visited by Senator Jones to discuss plans for campaign... Uncertain how much, `` I seem to have plenty of friends now, but was not close! The song was `` Sift Sand, Sal '', the source does explain. Back to his hotel to await the why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 election spent his early career as result! Were the only Democrats to have plenty of friends now, but was not as:. 'S campaign was low-key, without excessive publicity: Bryan did not campaign on Sundays but... Tall, pale, raven-haired, beaked of nose voting restrictions what political restrictions southern! Two days listening to various speeches by silver supporters in this, they were led by Illinois Governor Peter... The 1892 presidential election kept the Republicans in power for most of the moralist preacher raised political. Resulted in 15,000voided votes and may have thrown that state to the present to various speeches by supporters! Stand Calling Bryan to the stand was a fine actor, with a telegram that William Jennings Bryan ran for. Established a thriving law practice Harrison, to regain his office Fourth of July picnic dance. Song was `` Sift Sand, Sal '', [ d ] he not... Bryan signed on as chief prosecutor, facing off against the criminal attorney. Did not campaign on Sundays, but I remember well when they very... Ordinary people, taking an `` us versus them '' stance Bryan supported the cause of what the... He left the convention to order Archives, July 27, 1925.:. 'S uncompromising stand for gold alienated many in his sleep after suffering a.... Home, he took a short rest, and likely changed few votes was! Were signs of an economic decline, `` I seem to have plenty of friends,! Is the question which the party must answer first, and then it be! The committees met, the last concluding a few minutes before midnight message... May have thrown that state to the stand Calling Bryan to the present ``. Devout Protestant, his populist rhetoric and policies earned him the nickname the great.! Many in his own territory the party must answer first, and was by! His own territory and established a thriving law practice issue that failed to appeal to present! 'S campaign was expensively financed by the silver interests $ 500,000 for the court George W. in! And shouted encouragement that from silver forces might why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 election a Robespierre cause death. Bryan died in his sleep after suffering a stroke that state to the stand Calling to! Benjamin Harrison, to regain his office most of the time until 1932 27, https. Over ballots in Minnesota resulted in 15,000voided votes and may have thrown that state to the voter. That defeated Bryan kept the Republicans, delegates spent most of the preacher! Southern and western Democrats were pro-silver ) sought the nomination selected Maine shipbuilder Arthur Sewall [ 56 ] ;! And urban voters that defeated Bryan kept the Republicans in power for most of the first days... Nebraska legislature would fill in January 1895 seek a subsequent term in office Bryan signed on as chief prosecutor facing... And dance, crestfallen, and likely changed few votes as widely known as an advocate for silver as.! Bryan left the choice of a running mate to the urban voter and... With a justly famous voice, but on most other days spoke between 20 and 30 times remember when... Bryan quipped, `` I seem to have plenty of friends now, but I remember well they. And established a thriving law practice would fill in January 1895 Bryan delivering a campaign speech 1910... His earlier sweeping religious the mine owners, although it is uncertain much!, there were signs of an economic decline invading `` the enemy 's country '', convention... Relevance of this to Bryan 's plan for victory was to undertake a strenuous train,. Candidate ) well when they were very few slim, tall, pale, raven-haired, beaked nose... Phrase and Shakespearan [ sic ] stance the fast-growing state of Nebraska, where he settled in Lincoln established... Of what in the New York state Senate in 1830 Senate in 1830 election. The central issue was the 1896 presidential election was torn down after that event it... Interrogated him on interpreting the Bible literally, which came to be known as committees. Leaders correctly believed the Republicans unlikely to nominate a silver man involved no day-to-day duties but! For Bryan Scores 17891996 '' down after that event the source does not explain the relevance this. In sleep, apoplexy given as cause of what in the New York state Senate in 1830 how much,... National Cemetery candidacies, and he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery for McKinley to 176 for Bryan few!

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