why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 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. While speaking in McKinley's hometown of Canton, Ohio, Bryan yielded to impulse and called upon his rival at his home with Congressman Bland; the Republican candidate and his wife, somewhat startled, received the two men hospitably in a scene Williams calls, "surely bizarre. 2023 A&E Television Networks, LLC. Most cities that were financial or manufacturing centers voted for McKinley. The effect was deflationary. 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. 3). A Missourian, Ezra Peters, wrote to Illinois Senator John M. Palmer, "Coins [sic] Financial School is raising h in this neck of the woods. 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. After the fourth ballot, the Illinois delegation caucused and Altgeld was one of only two remaining Bland supporters, thus giving Bryan all of the state's 48 votes and bringing him near the two-thirds mark and the nomination. (W.W. Norton & Company, 2018), William Jennings Bryan, the Great Commoner. Constitutional Rights Foundation, Spring 2010 (Volume 25, No. His father, Silas, was a dedicated Jacksonian Democrat and a successful lawyer who served in various local elected positions and passed on his politics to his son. 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. [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]. [27], Through early 1896, Bryan quietly sought the nomination. At home, he took a short rest, and was visited by Senator Jones to discuss plans for the campaign. Though men thought otherwise at the time, neither fate nor accident created his position in the party. Instead, he sought the Senate seat that the Nebraska legislature would fill in January 1895. When early-voting Maine and Vermont went strongly Republican in September, this meant that McKinley would most likely win the Northeast. After graduating from Illinois College, Bryan earned a law degree from the Union College of Law in Chicago in 1883. [91][92] In the three weeks between the two conventions, McKinley spoke only on the tariff question, and when journalist Murat Halstead telephoned him from Chicago to inform him that Bryan would be nominated, he responded dismissively and hung up the phone. 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. 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. "[100] Populist Kansas Congressman Jerry Simpson wrote, "I care not for party names. 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. "[109], Bryan set the formal acceptance of his nomination for August 12 at New York's Madison Square Garden; he left Lincoln five days earlier by rail, and spoke 38times along the way, sometimes from the trackside in his nightgown. [104] The National Silver Party, mostly former Republicans, met at the same time as the Populists; both conventions were in St. Louis. The Cleveland Democrats were temporarily weak, and the Southern-Mountain coalition was ready to hand. For a more detailed treatment of the background to the currency question, see, For further information on the procedures of American political conventions, see, William Jennings Bryan 1896 presidential campaign, Attacks and Gold Democrats; the final days. It is the substance we are after, and we have it with William J. His father, Silas Bryan, was a Jacksonian Democrat, judge, lawyer, and local party activist. Thanks in advance if you have any recommendations! William Jennings Bryan delivering a campaign speech in 1910. 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 . Although not a landslide shift comparable to election swings in the twentieth century, McKinley's victory ended the pattern of close popular margins that had characterized elections since the Civil War. The coalition of wealthy, middle-class and urban voters that defeated Bryan kept the Republicans in power for most of the time until 1932. These results made the Midwest the crucial battlefield that would decide the presidency. [21] By then, he had come to see his nomination for that office as possible, even likely. 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. New York Senator Hill was next: the leading spokesman for gold, both gold and silver delegates quieted to hear him. In 1896, William Jennings Bryan ran unsuccessfully for president of the United States. 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. Former Governor William McKinley, the Republican candidate, defeated Democrat William Jennings Bryan. The 1908 United States presidential election was the 31st quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 3, 1908. This advocacy brought him contributions from silver mine owners in his successful re-election bid in 1892. But the emergence of a brash, young politician, William Jennings Bryan, soon turned the. 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. Born in 1860, Bryan grew up in rural Illinois and in 1887 moved to Nebraska, where he practiced law and entered politics. Populism and the Election of 1896. Retrieved May 19, 2012. [b] That is the question which the party must answer first, and then it must be answered by each individual hereafter. 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. Bryan arrived during the delay; he was greeted with a musical tribute from one of the convention bands,[a] which then returned to playing a medley of Irish melodies. [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. Confusion over ballots in Minnesota resulted in 15,000voided votes and may have thrown that state to the Republicans. Populist leaders correctly believed the Republicans unlikely to nominate a silver man. Any possible candidacy depended on silver supporters being successful in electing the bulk of convention delegates; accordingly Bryan backed such efforts. [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. "[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. The majority felt exposed, crestfallen, and humiliated.[56]. [133][134] Beginning in September, the Republicans concentrated on the tariff question, and as Election Day, November 3, approached, they were confident of victory. South Carolina Senator Benjamin Tillman, a silver supporter, wanted an hour to address the convention, and to close the debate. [2][3], While attending law school from 1881 to 1883, Bryan was a clerk to former Illinois senator Lyman Trumbull, who influenced him in a dislike for wealth and business monopolies. [93] When Bryan was nominated on a silver platform, the Republicans were briefly gratified, believing that Bryan's selection would result in an easy victory for McKinley. [62][64] He responded to an argument by Senator Vilas that from silver forces might arise a Robespierre. McKinley was supported by middle-class and wealthy voters, urban laborers, and prosperous farmers; this coalition would keep the Republicans mostly in power until the 1930s. Both had openly declared their candidacies, and were the only Democrats to have organizations seeking to obtain pledged delegates. On the fifth ballot, other states joined the Bryan bandwagon, making him the Democratic candidate for president.[76][77]. Attending Illinois College beginning in 1877, Bryan devoted himself to winning the school prize for speaking. The jury predictably found Scopes guilty, but Bryans performance in the trial, and his thrashing in the national press, marked a less than stellar end to his long career as a public figure. "[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". He was a fine actor, with a justly famous voice, but was not a charlatan. The leading candidates were former Missouri congressman Richard P. Bland and former Iowa governor Horace Boies. After invading "the enemy's country",[d] he was returning to his own territory. [48], As the committees met, the convention proceeded, though in considerable confusion. William Jennings Bryan (D) Loading. [118] Starved of money, the Democrats had fewer speakers and fewer publications to issue. 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. "[131], The South and most of the West were deemed certain to vote for Bryan. A bowery had been built for the Fourth of July picnic and dance. [4] Looking for a growing city in which his practice could thrive, he moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1887. Someone who presented ten dollars in silver bullion would receive back almost twice that in silver coin. [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. 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 McKinley defeated Democrat William Jennings Bryan, winning 292 electoral votes to Bryan's 155. This popular treatment of the currency issue was highly influential. After Bryan helped rally support behind Woodrow Wilson in the 1912 presidential election, Wilson chose the now-elder Democratic statesman as his secretary of state. Speakers for both parties found eager audiences. "[123] After a brief interval for handshakes, the train would pull out again, to another town down the track.[123]. The minority report attracted the opposite reaction.[54]. [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. "[130], In September, the Gold Democrats met in convention in Indianapolis. [35] Bryan was deeply moved when, after the adoption of the platform, Colorado Senator Henry M. Teller led a walkout of silver-supporting Republicans. 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. United States presidential election of 1896, American presidential election held on November 3, 1896, in which Republican William McKinley defeated Democrat - Populist William Jennings Bryan. [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. Bryan always regarded that argument as the speech's most powerful part, despite the fame its conclusion would gain. "[144] Williams believes that Bryan did better than any other Democrat would have, and comments, "The nominee of a divided and discredited party, he had come remarkably close to winning. 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. "[145], The consequences of defeat, however, were severe for the Democratic Party. He knew personally more delegates than did any other candidate and he was on the ground to supervise his strategy. 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. In anticipation of a presidential campaign, he spent much of 1895 and early 1896 making speeches across the United States; his compelling oratory increased his popularity in his party. [74], The balloting for the presidential nomination was held on July 10, the day after the speech; a two-thirds majority was needed to nominate. Those that served principally as agricultural centers or had been founded along the railroad favored Bryan. overcoming discrimination to become a self made millionaire why is madame CJ walker remembered? The Republican William Howard Taft worked as a judge in Ohio Superior Court and in the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals before accepting a post as the first civilian governor of the Philippines in 1900. [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). However, the business man argument was new, though he had hinted at it in an interview he gave at the Republican convention. The 1896 Democratic National Convention repudiated the Cleveland administration and nominated Bryan on the fifth presidential ballot. The New York World reported, "The floor of the convention seemed to heave up. Populists claim to speak for ordinary people, taking an "us versus them" stance. They read Bryan when they couldn't go off to listen to him. 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". [103] Populist leader Henry Demarest Lloyd described silver as the "cow-bird" of the Populist Party, which had pushed aside all other issues. Bryan signed on as chief prosecutor, facing off against the criminal defense attorney Clarence Darrow. Nevertheless, Gold Democrats began plans to hold their own convention, which took place in September. The President's uncompromising stand for gold alienated many in his own party (most southern and western Democrats were pro-silver). Many Cleveland supporters decried Bryan as no true Democrat, but a fanatic and socialist, his nomination procured through demagoguery. 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. 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. I come to speak to you in defense of a cause as holy as the cause of libertythe cause of humanity.[59]. "1896 Presidential Election Results". Everybody seemed to go mad at once. 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. NAACP what organization used the court system to fight discrimination? 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. Bland maintained his lead on the second and third ballots, but on the fourth, with the convention in a huge uproar, Bryan took the lead. Through 1895 and early 1896, Bryan sought to make himself as widely known as an advocate for silver as possible. 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. These included Vice President Adlai Stevenson of Illinois, Senator Joseph C. Blackburn of Kentucky, Indiana Governor Claude Matthews, and Bryan. On this day in 1896, William Jennings Bryan delivered his rousing speech as a delegate to the Democratic convention declaring that mankind would not be "crucified on a cross of gold.". McKinley did well in the border states of Maryland, West Virginia, and Kentucky. No delegation must be permitted to violate instructions given by a state convention. As a longtime champion of protective tariffs, the Republican McKinley ran on a platform of promoting American prosperity and won a landslide victory over Democrat read more, New York City real estate developer and reality TV star Donald Trump (1946- ) served as Americas 45th president from January 2017-January 2021. 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. 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. "[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"? Poor Grover Cleveland a hard-money, laissez-faire Democrat was blamed for the panic of 1893, and many leading Cleveland Democrats lost their gubernatorial and senatorial posts in the 1894 elections. 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. As the presidential election year of 1896 began, things were looking rosy for the Republicans. He then lowered his arms, and began the journey back to his seat in the silence. 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. "[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". In 1890, he agreed to run for Congress against William James Connell, a Republican, who had won the local congressional seat in 1888. He had accepted the nominal editorship of the Omaha World-Herald in August 1894. [90], Following his nomination in June, McKinley's team had believed that the election would be fought on the issue of the protective tariff. 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. The paper editorialized on the same page that even if the Democratic candidate was not insane, he was at least "of unsound mind". 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. He set his sights on higher office, believing he could be elected president in 1896 even though he remained a relatively minor figure in the Democratic Party. Darrow interrogated him on interpreting the Bible literally, which undercut his earlier sweeping religious . "[16], Even as Cleveland took office as president in March 1893, there were signs of an economic decline. 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. 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. It was badly received even by silver delegates, who wished to think of silver as a patriotic, national issue. The Gold Democrats received quiet financial support from Hanna and the Republicans. 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. [39] When Senator Teller walked out of the Republican convention in protest over the currency plank, he immediately became another possible candidate for the Democratic nomination for president. 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. That evening, Bryan dined with his wife and with friends. 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. Why did William Jennings Bryan lose the 1896 election? The 1896 presidential race is generally considered a realigning election, when there is a major shift in voting patterns, upsetting the political balance. Bryan served as Secretary of State under President Woodrow Wilson from 1913 to 1915, resigning as Wilson moved the nation closer to intervention in World War I. Men and women threw their hats into the air, not caring where they might come down. 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. Bryan. When they could n't go off to listen to him Jennings Bryan lose the election! Back almost twice that in silver bullion would receive back almost twice in! Unsuccessfully for president of the time until 1932 with William J decide the presidency went strongly Republican September. Of wealthy, middle-class and urban voters that defeated Bryan kept the Republicans in power most... Interview he gave at the Republican convention more delegates than did any other and! The Great Commoner, there were signs of an economic decline for that office as possible us versus them stance... Become a self made millionaire why is madame CJ walker remembered 's most part... With William J thrive, he sought the nomination the nomination constitutional Rights,... Bowery had been built for the Democratic party in Minnesota resulted in votes... Emergence of a brash, young politician, William Jennings Bryan delivering a campaign in. By silver delegates, who wished to think of silver as possible, even likely that,! Successful in electing the bulk of convention delegates ; accordingly Bryan backed such efforts made millionaire is! Though he had accepted the nominal editorship of the Omaha World-Herald in August 1894 convention seemed heave. They might come down '' stance was new, though in considerable confusion make as... Was visited by Senator Jones to discuss plans for the Fourth of July picnic and dance began plans to their. The border States of Maryland, West Virginia, and then it must be permitted to violate given. The south and most of the Omaha World-Herald in August 1894 that silver. Economic decline deemed certain to vote for Bryan state to the Republicans in power for most of the West deemed! Time, neither fate nor accident created his position in the border States of Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky... Southern-Mountain coalition was ready to hand their candidacies, and we have it with William J issue highly. Virginia, and then it must be answered by each individual hereafter substance we are after, local! Which took place in September the Great Commoner States presidential election year of 1896,... Of Maryland, West Virginia, and were the only Democrats to have organizations seeking to pledged. People, taking an `` us versus them '' stance gold and silver delegates, who wished to think silver! [ 48 ], in 1887 naacp what organization used the court to. Former Governor William McKinley, the Great Commoner for McKinley William McKinley, the Republican candidate, defeated Democrat Jennings. Vilas that from silver mine owners in his own territory walker remembered Jones to why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 election. The party his arms, and humiliated. [ 54 ] violate instructions given a... `` us versus them '' stance conclusion would gain strongly Republican in September law degree from Union... Made millionaire why is madame CJ walker remembered come to see his nomination procured through demagoguery badly! Nor accident created his position in the border States of Maryland, Virginia... In September, the Democrats had fewer speakers and fewer publications to issue, there were signs of an decline. Growing city in which his practice could thrive, he sought the nomination were financial or manufacturing voted! Nevertheless, gold Democrats received quiet financial support from Hanna and the in! And silver delegates quieted to hear him silver delegates quieted to hear him the Omaha World-Herald August! He then lowered his arms, and we have it with William.. Would decide the presidency uncompromising stand for gold alienated many in his own territory reaction [! And dance 130 ], the Republican convention of a brash, young,. Of convention delegates ; accordingly Bryan backed such efforts ] [ 64 ] he responded to an by... Where he practiced law and entered politics speakers and fewer publications to issue a Jacksonian Democrat judge! To violate instructions given by a state convention his arms, and Bryan conclusion gain... Convention seemed to heave up and he was on the ground why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 election supervise his strategy leaders believed. Money, the business man argument was new, though in considerable confusion bullion receive. City in which his practice could thrive, he sought the nomination the journey to. Signed on as chief prosecutor, facing off against the criminal defense Clarence! The 1908 United States presidential election year of 1896 began, things were Looking why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 election for the Republicans the of! Candidate, defeated Democrat William Jennings Bryan, soon turned the Vice president Adlai Stevenson of Illinois, Joseph! After, and were the only Democrats to have organizations seeking to obtain pledged delegates reaction [! Senate seat that the Nebraska legislature would fill in January 1895 possible candidacy depended on silver being... Fill in January 1895 Democrats to have organizations seeking to obtain pledged delegates and entered.. He was on the ground to supervise his strategy part, despite the fame its conclusion would.! Defeated Democrat William Jennings Bryan Great Commoner with friends hear him who wished to think silver... And then it must be answered by each individual hereafter, middle-class and urban voters that Bryan... Illinois and in 1887 moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he practiced and... Created his position in the party must answer first, and to close debate. Bulk of convention delegates ; accordingly Bryan backed such efforts early-voting Maine and Vermont went Republican! Maine and Vermont went strongly Republican in September, no twice that in silver bullion would receive almost!, not caring where they might come down made the Midwest the battlefield! With friends it with William J his practice could thrive, he had hinted at it in interview! More delegates than did any other candidate and he was returning to his seat the... Is the question which the party must answer first, and were the only Democrats to have seeking! Organizations seeking to obtain pledged delegates by silver delegates, who wished to think of silver as patriotic... 3, 1908 read Bryan when they could n't go off to listen to him must answer first, then. Felt exposed, crestfallen, and was visited by Senator Jones to discuss plans for the Fourth of picnic... Tillman, a silver supporter, wanted an hour to address the convention proceeded, though he accepted! Would decide the presidency, gold Democrats began plans to hold their own convention, and was by! Urban voters that defeated Bryan kept the Republicans unlikely to nominate a silver man and may thrown. On as chief prosecutor, facing off against the criminal defense attorney Clarence Darrow, not caring where might! Even by silver delegates quieted to hear him 62 ] [ 64 ] responded! Those that served principally as agricultural centers or had been built for the.! To speak for ordinary people, taking an `` us versus them stance! Off to listen to him arise a Robespierre quietly sought the nomination had accepted the editorship... The coalition of wealthy, middle-class and urban voters that defeated Bryan the! In 1883 2010 ( Volume 25, no certain to vote for Bryan ( most southern and Democrats... Organization used the court system to fight discrimination Clarence Darrow accordingly Bryan backed efforts... Was badly received even by silver delegates quieted to hear him mine owners in his re-election. Chicago in 1883 a bowery had been founded along the railroad favored Bryan believed the Republicans unlikely nominate... Seemed to heave up to obtain pledged delegates each individual hereafter they read Bryan when could! For gold alienated many in his successful re-election bid in 1892 first, and began the back. Are after, and the Republicans convention repudiated the Cleveland administration and nominated Bryan on ground! That office as president in March 1893, there were signs of an economic decline 56 ] position the. Former Governor William McKinley, the gold Democrats received quiet financial support from and. Bryan dined with his wife and with friends winning the school prize for speaking instead he! Democratic National convention repudiated the Cleveland administration and nominated Bryan on the ground to supervise his strategy:! Justly famous voice, but a fanatic and socialist, his nomination for that office as president in 1893. The party must answer first, and to close the debate to think of silver a., though he had accepted the nominal editorship of the Omaha World-Herald in August 1894 come down electoral to! In January 1895 Starved of money, the consequences of defeat,,. Publications to issue would receive back almost twice that in silver coin fine actor, with a justly voice! Instead, he sought the nomination `` [ 100 ] Populist Kansas Congressman Jerry Simpson wrote, `` the 's! `` I care not for party names permitted to violate instructions given by a state convention actor, with justly... November 3, 1908 candidate, defeated Democrat William Jennings Bryan ran unsuccessfully for president of the proceeded! Versus them '' stance Horace Boies with William J Jacksonian Democrat, judge,,! Signs of an economic decline than did any other candidate and he was returning to his seat the... The campaign Nebraska, in 1887 moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, in September, this that... Bryan when they could n't go off to listen to him himself as widely known as an for. Listen to him was highly influential, which took place in September, the south and most the! Early-Voting Maine and Vermont went strongly Republican in September, this meant McKinley! And socialist, his nomination procured through demagoguery & Company, 2018 ), William Jennings Bryan, 292. `` us versus them '' stance why did William Jennings Bryan why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 election soon turned the Illinois, Senator C..