didates, even the advocates of the gold standard did not think
that we could elect a president. And they had good reason for their
doubt, because there is scarcely a State here today asking for the gold
standard which is not in the absolute control of the Republican party.
But note the change. Mr. McKinley was nominated at St. Louis upon a
platform which declared for the maintenance of the gold standard until
it can be changed into bimetallism by international agreement. Mr.
McKinley was the most popular man among the Republicans, and three
months ago everybody in the Republican party prophesied his election.
How is it today? Why, the man who was once pleased to think that he
looked like Napoleon--that man shudders today when he remembers that he
was nominated on the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo. Not only
that, but as he listens he can hear with ever-increasing distinctness
the sound of the waves as they beat upon the lonely shores of St.
Helena.

Why this change? Ah, my friends, is not the reason for the change
evident to any one who will look at the matter? No private character,
however pure, no personal popularity, however great, can protect from
the avenging wrath of an indignant people a man who will declare that
he is in favor of fastening the gold standard upon this country, or who
is willing to surrender the right of self-government and place the
legislative control of our affairs in the hands of foreign potentates
and powers.

We go forth confident that we shall win. Why? Because upon the
paramount issue of this campaign there is not a spot of ground upon
which the enemy will dare to challenge battle. If they tell us that the
gold standard is a good thing, we shall point to their platform and
tell them that their platform pledges the party to get rid of the gold
standard and substitute bimetallism. If the gold standard is a good
thing, why try to get rid of it? I call your attention to the fact that
some of the very people who are in this convention today and who tell
us that we ought to declare in favor of international bimetallism--thereby
declaring that the gold standard is wrong and that the principle of
bimetallism is better--these very people four months ago were open and
avowed advocates of the gold standard, and were then telling us that we
could not legislate two metals together, even with the aid of all the
world. If the gold standard is a good thing, we ought to declare in
favor of its ret