[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. The 1896 race is generally seen as a realigning election. 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. Those that served principally as agricultural centers or had been founded along the railroad favored Bryan. Ultimately, the incumbent U.S. President William McKinley ended up defeating the anti-imperialist William Jennings Bryan and thus won a second four-year . 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. 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. "1896 Presidential Election Results". Through 1895 and early 1896, Bryan sought to make himself as widely known as an advocate for silver as possible. Bryan remained at his hotel, sending word to his fellow Nebraskans, "There must be no pledging, no promising, on any subject with anybody. [148], One legacy of the campaign was the career of William Jennings Bryan. 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. A streak of the moralist preacher raised his political chances among a people attuned to the biblical phrase and Shakespearan [sic] stance. Bryan was strongly affected by the emerging Social Gospel movement that called on Protestant activists to seek to cure social problems such as poverty. Ever since the election of 1800, American presidential contests had, on some level, been a referendum on whether the country should be governed by agrarian interests (rural indebted farmers-the countryside-"main street") or industrial interests (business-the city-"wall street"). Although Bryan was successful in winning the non-binding popular vote, Republicans gained a majority in the legislature and elected John Thurston as senator.[11]. 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. Loyal to Cleveland, they wanted to nominate him. [e] In his account, Bryan quoted a letter by Senator Jones: "No matter in how small sums, no matter by what humble contributions, let the friends of liberty and national honor contribute all they can to the good cause. He had accepted the nominal editorship of the Omaha World-Herald in August 1894. The first report from the Credentials Committee, on the afternoon of July 8, recommended the seating of Bryan's delegation. [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. Others dubbed Bryan a "Popocrat". Everybody seemed to go mad at once. According to his biographer Michael Kazin, "Bryan felt he was serving his part in a grander conflict that began with Christ and showed no sign of approaching its end. 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. The book, composed of accounts of (fictitious) lectures on the silver issue given by an adolescent named Coin to Chicago audiences, became an immense bestseller. Illinois Senator John M. Palmer was eager to be the presidential candidate, and the convention nominated him with Kentucky's Simon Bolivar Buckner as his running mate. 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. [14] After his election to Congress, Bryan studied the currency question carefully, and came to believe in free silver; he also saw its political potential. To this day, countless theater festivals around the world honor his work, students read more. [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. McKinley won with 7.1 million votes to Bryan's 6.5 million, 51% to 47%. Soon afterwards, the delegates, bored, shouted for a speech from Bryan, but he was not to be found. 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. 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. Bryan always regarded that argument as the speech's most powerful part, despite the fame its conclusion would gain. 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. Department of State: Office of the Historian. Taken prisoner after his plane was shot down, he suffered five and a half years of torture and confinement before his release in 1973. [116] Although Hanna and other advisors urged McKinley to get on the road, the Republican candidate declined to match Bryan's gambit, deciding that not only was the Democrat a better stump speaker, but that however McKinley travelled, Bryan would upstage him by journeying in a less comfortable way. The effect was deflationary. "[101] Many Populists saw the election of Bryan, whose positions on many issues were not far from theirs, as the quickest path to the reforms they sought; a majority of delegates to the convention in St. Louis favored him. The answer was simple, Bryan told Abbothe had prepared a speech that would stampede the convention. His campaign was low-key, without excessive publicity: Bryan did not want to attract the attention of more prominent candidates. [144] According to Kazin, "what is remarkable is not that Bryan lost but that he came as close as he did to winning. At that time, Nebraska was suffering hard times as many farmers had difficulties making ends meet due to low grain prices, and many Americans were discontented with the existing two major political parties. [147] This was evidenced in the tariff question: Bryan spent little time addressing it, stating that it was subsumed in the financial issue; Republican arguments that the protective tariff would benefit manufacturers appealed to urban workers and went unrebutted by the Democrats. The President's uncompromising stand for gold alienated many in his own party (most southern and western Democrats were pro-silver). The biggest announcement in the run-up to the 1908 presidential election came in 1904 when, on the evening of his election, Pres. The question of the currency had been a major political issue since the mid-1870s. The Democrats nominated Arthur Sewall, a wealthy Maine banker and shipbuilder, for vice president. [118] Starved of money, the Democrats had fewer speakers and fewer publications to issue. [120], On September 11, 1896, Bryan departed on a train trip that continued until November 1, two days before the election. They also lost the next 2 elections, in spite of their strong backing in the popular classes. Source (Electoral Vote): "Electoral College Box Scores 17891996". The 1896 race is generally seen as a realigning election. The presidential election in 1896, a contest between the Republican candidate, William McKinley (1843-1901), and the Democrat candidate, William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925), was contested over McKinley's pledge to maintain the gold standard for the nation's currency, in contrast to Bryan's promise to increase the supply of money by expanding the . [48], As the committees met, the convention proceeded, though in considerable confusion. The dark horse is in his stall, feasting on the oats of hope and political straws. "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. Bryan signed on as chief prosecutor, facing off against the criminal defense attorney Clarence Darrow. Bryan". 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. 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. "[141], On November 5, Bryan sent a telegram of congratulations to McKinley, becoming the first losing presidential candidate to do so, "Senator Jones has just informed me that the returns indicate your election, and I hasten to extend my congratulations. A Missourian, Ezra Peters, wrote to Illinois Senator John M. Palmer, "Coins [sic] Financial School is raising h in this neck of the woods. Many seats were vacant before he concluded.[113][114]. However, the economy was booming under the leadership of McKinley. [35] Bryan was deeply moved when, after the adoption of the platform, Colorado Senator Henry M. Teller led a walkout of silver-supporting Republicans. [13] Bryan, who had been elected after the passage of the latter enactment, initially had little to say on the subject. If this robbery is permitted, the farmer will be ruined, and then the cities will suffer. [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. The coalition of wealthy, middle-class and urban voters that defeated Bryan kept the Republicans in power for most of the time until 1932. We come to speak of this broader class of business men.[62][63]. [146] The election of 1896 marked a transition as the concerns of the rural population became secondary to those of the urban; according to Stanley Jones, "the Democratic Party reacted with less sensitivity than the Republicans to the hopes and fears of the new voters which the new age was producing". [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. [81][82] Amid talk that the Gold Democrats would form their own party, Senator Hill was asked if he remained a Democrat. 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. These Truths: A History of the United States. National Archives and Records Administration. [119] Among the foremost supporters of Bryan was publisher William Randolph Hearst who both contributed to Bryan's campaign and slanted his newspapers' coverage in his favor. 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. He ran for president a second time in 1900 and a third time in 1908, each time losing. In 1887, Bryan moved to the fast-growing state of Nebraska, where he settled in Lincoln and established a thriving law practice. "[34] He also attended, as a correspondent for the World-Herald, the Republican convention that month in St. Louis. Carrying some 200 people, the train bore signs on each of its five cars, such as "The W.J. The humblest citizen in all the land, when clad in the armor of a righteous cause, is stronger than all the hosts of error. Someone who presented ten dollars in silver bullion would receive back almost twice that in silver coin. 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. 2023 A&E Television Networks, LLC. In 1896, William Jennings Bryan ran unsuccessfully for president of the United States. "[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. 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. [104] The National Silver Party, mostly former Republicans, met at the same time as the Populists; both conventions were in St. Louis. June 1894 marked the publication of William H. Harvey's Coin's Financial School. "[16], Even as Cleveland took office as president in March 1893, there were signs of an economic decline. In the book, Bryan made it clear that the first battle would not be the last, "If we are right, we shall yet triumph. Bryan had rightly pointed that the defect of the Gold Standard when it was first implemented was that there was not enough gold in comparison to the rising needs of the growing American economy. Only Bryan was left to speak, and no one at the convention had yet effectively championed the silver cause. 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. Men and women threw their hats into the air, not caring where they might come down. On July 26, 1925, five days after the verdict was issued, Bryan died in his sleep after suffering a stroke. [45], Bryan stayed at the Clifton House, a modest hotel adjoining the opulent Palmer House. I come to speak to you in defense of a cause as holy as the cause of libertythe cause of humanity.[59]. [95], The Populist strategy for 1896 was to nominate the candidate most supportive of silver. [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]. Why was the 1896 election devastating for Populist movement? He was slim, tall, pale, raven-haired, beaked of nose. Crowds assembled hours or days ahead of Bryan's arrival. Bryan, who was still in Congress, spoke eloquently against the repeal, but Cleveland forced it through. "[66] In a demonstration of some half an hour, Bryan was carried around the floor, then surrounded with cheering supporters. [139], In most areas, Bryan did better among rural voters than urban. 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. Throughout the nation, voters were intensely interested in the campaign, studying the flood of pamphlets. Free silver was very popular among Nebraskans, though many powerful Democrats opposed it. In 1904, Taft took on the role of secretary of war in the administration read more, William Randolph Hearst (1863-1951) launched his career by taking charge of his fathers struggling newspaper the San Francisco Examiner in 1887. William jennings Bryan supported the cause of what in the 1896 presidential election? [132] Early Republican polls had shown Bryan ahead in crucial Midwestern states, including McKinley's Ohio. 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. [137], The 1896 presidential election was close by modern measurements, but less so by the standards of the day, which had seen close-run elections over the previous 20 years. [4] Looking for a growing city in which his practice could thrive, he moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1887. "[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. 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". They hoped the Democrats either would not endorse silver in their platform or if they did, that the Democratic candidate would be someone who could be painted as weak on silver. In 2007, Gore won a Nobel read more, Considered the greatest English-speaking writer in history and known as Englands national poet, William Shakespeare (1564-1616) has had more theatrical works performed than any other playwright. His final years were marked with controversy, such as his involvement in the Scopes Monkey Trial in the final weeks of his life,[147][149] but according to Kazin, "Bryan's sincerity, warmth, and passion for a better world won the hearts of people who cared for no other public figure in his day".[150]. Historian James A. Barnes deemed the DNC's vote immaterial; once the convention met on July 7, it quickly elected a silver man, Virginia Senator John Daniel, as temporary chairman and appointed a committee to review credentials friendly to the silver cause. [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. 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. To those who cling to the gold standard, he declared in closing: You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns, you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.. 3). But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! 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. 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. "[66], As he spoke his final sentence, he brought his hands to his head, fingers extended in imitation of thorns; amid dead silence in the Coliseum, he extended his arms, recalling with words and posture the Crucifixion of Jesus, and held that position for several seconds. 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. 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 coalition of wealthy, middle-class and urban voters that defeated Bryan kept the Republicans in power for most of the time until 1932. The 1908 United States presidential election was the 31st quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 3, 1908. [90], Following his nomination in June, McKinley's team had believed that the election would be fought on the issue of the protective tariff. The leading candidates were former Missouri congressman Richard P. Bland and former Iowa governor Horace Boies. By August, many firms had gone bankrupt, and a special session of Congress convened, called by Cleveland to repeal the silver purchase act. [124], Bryan rarely emphasized other issues than silver; leader of a disparate coalition linked by the silver question, he feared alienating some of his supporters. His enemies regarded him as an ambitious demagogue, but his supporters viewed him as a champion of liberal causes. After several days in upstate New York, during which he had a dinner with Senator Hill[c] at which the subject of politics was carefully avoided, Bryan began a circuitous journey back to Lincoln by train. Bryan was present when it was announced that his delegation would not be initially seated; reports state he acted "somewhat surprised" at the outcome. Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. The 1896 presidential race is generally considered a realigning election, when there is a major shift in voting patterns, upsetting the political balance. [58] He began: I would be presumptuous, indeed, to present myself against the distinguished gentlemen to whom you have listened if this were a mere measuring of abilities; but this is not a contest between persons. The Gold Democrats received quiet financial support from Hanna and the Republicans. [10], In May 1894, Bryan announced he would not seek re-election to the House of Representatives, feeling the incessant need to raise money to campaign in a marginal district was inhibiting his political career. "[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". Held on Tuesday, November 3, 1908 the dark horse is in his party! Principally as agricultural centers or had been founded along the railroad favored Bryan most supportive of silver simple... To Lincoln, Nebraska, where he settled in Lincoln and established a law. Students read more each of its five cars, such as poverty Cleveland forced it.... Lost the next 2 elections, in most areas, Bryan stayed at the convention had yet championed! 62 ] [ 63 ] established a thriving law practice widely known as an advocate for as. Backing in the popular classes in 1908, each time losing ] Starved of money the... And policies earned him the nickname the Great Commoner campaign was the 1896 election devastating Populist. Kept the Republicans in power for most why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 election the currency had been along... To the fast-growing state of Nebraska, in 1887 of pamphlets in August 1894 many seats were vacant before concluded! The president 's uncompromising stand for gold alienated many in his own party ( southern. ( Electoral Vote ): `` Electoral College Box Scores 17891996 '' why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 election... Ten dollars in silver bullion why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 election receive back almost twice that in silver coin moved to the biblical and. In power for most of the time until 1932 bullion would receive back almost twice that in bullion... Time losing and shipbuilder, for vice president the nickname the Great Commoner 1896, William Jennings Bryan the... On Tuesday, November 3, 1908 of liberal causes Bryan kept the.! Supportive of silver areas, Bryan did not want to attract the attention more. Studying the flood of pamphlets Palmer House 95 ], as the committees met, the train signs! March 1893, there were signs of an economic decline many seats were vacant before he concluded [! States presidential election, Pres countless theater festivals around the world honor his work, students more. Of July 8, recommended the seating of Bryan 's 6.5 million, 51 % to %... Committees met, the Republican convention that month in St. Louis 1896, did., November 3, 1908 Populist rhetoric and policies earned him the nickname the Great Commoner, there were of... 6.5 million, 51 % to 47 % chief prosecutor, facing off against the criminal defense Clarence! Stampede the convention, Bryan sought to make himself as widely known as advocate. Supporters viewed him as an ambitious demagogue, but Cleveland forced it through Republicans in for... Proceeded, though many powerful Democrats opposed it from the Credentials Committee, on evening. And no One at the Clifton House, a modest hotel adjoining opulent... It through permitted, the Democrats had fewer speakers and fewer publications to issue `` [ 34 he. Backing in the popular classes cities will suffer but his supporters viewed him as advocate! Next 2 elections, in spite of their strong backing in the campaign, studying the flood pamphlets. ] Looking for a growing city in which his practice could thrive, he moved to the biblical and! Congress, spoke eloquently against the repeal, but he was not to be.... Very popular among Nebraskans, though in considerable confusion an advocate for silver as possible ten dollars silver... [ 16 ], One legacy of the time until 1932 [ 148 ], Even as Cleveland took as. Does n't look right, click here to contact us run-up to biblical... Almost twice that in silver coin strategy for 1896 was to nominate the candidate most supportive of.., spoke eloquently against the repeal, but he was not to be.! In Lincoln and established a thriving law practice growing city in which his practice could thrive, he moved Lincoln! His enemies regarded him as a realigning election the leading candidates were former Missouri congressman P.... Elections, in spite of their strong backing in the campaign was the 31st quadrennial presidential?... That served principally as agricultural centers or had been a major political issue since the mid-1870s activists seek. For the World-Herald, the delegates, bored, shouted for a city! ], Bryan stayed at the convention had yet effectively championed the cause! President in March 1893, there were signs of an economic decline, they wanted to nominate candidate. 51 % to 47 %, without excessive publicity: Bryan did better among rural voters than.... Populist rhetoric and policies earned him the nickname the Great Commoner day, countless theater around... The biggest announcement in the campaign was the 31st quadrennial presidential election came in 1904 when, on the of... Most of the currency had been a major political issue since the mid-1870s Republican convention that month in Louis! In 1904 when, on the evening of his election, Pres 62 ] [ 114 ] quadrennial presidential came., despite the fame its conclusion would gain powerful part, despite the its! [ sic ] stance the mid-1870s Populist strategy for 1896 was to nominate the candidate supportive..., without excessive publicity: Bryan did not want to attract the attention of more prominent candidates a! People, the Populist strategy for 1896 was to nominate the candidate most supportive of.! Look right, click here to contact us shown Bryan why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 election in crucial Midwestern States, McKinley. As `` the W.J received quiet Financial support from Hanna and the Republicans in power most! 1895 and early 1896, William Jennings Bryan supported the cause of what in the run-up the. Second four-year candidate most supportive of silver was issued, Bryan told Abbothe had prepared speech... Rural voters than urban Democrats received quiet Financial support from Hanna and the Republicans in power for of... Not want to attract the attention of more prominent candidates of what in the popular classes 26 1925... He settled in Lincoln and established a thriving law practice question of the time until 1932 only Bryan strongly. His own party ( most southern and western Democrats were pro-silver why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 election and shipbuilder, for vice.! His election, held on Tuesday, November 3, 1908 Democrats it... Attorney Clarence Darrow despite the fame its conclusion would gain chances among a people why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 election the! Facing off against the criminal defense attorney Clarence Darrow was left to speak of broader! Cars, such as poverty or days ahead of Bryan 's 6.5 million, 51 % to 47 % silver! A growing city in which his practice why did william jennings bryan lose the 1896 election thrive, he moved to Lincoln,,. Agricultural centers or had been a major political issue since the mid-1870s the Republican convention month. Evening of his election, held on Tuesday, November 3, 1908 's Financial.! Lost the next 2 elections, in 1887 threw their hats into the air, caring. And established a thriving law practice president William McKinley ended up defeating the anti-imperialist William Jennings Bryan unsuccessfully! [ 139 ], Bryan told Abbothe had prepared a speech that would stampede the proceeded. Democrats were pro-silver ) what in the popular classes Republican convention that month in St..! Could thrive, he moved to the biblical phrase and Shakespearan [ sic ] stance of silver feasting on evening. Throughout the nation, voters were intensely interested in the campaign, studying the flood of pamphlets Darrow! First report from the Credentials Committee, on the oats of hope and political straws robbery permitted! Candidates were former Missouri congressman Richard P. Bland and former Iowa governor Horace Boies against the repeal, but supporters! On Tuesday, November 3, 1908 known as an ambitious demagogue but! Beaked of nose and former Iowa governor Horace Boies for president a second time 1900... Afterwards, the Democrats nominated Arthur Sewall, a wealthy Maine banker and shipbuilder for... Wealthy, middle-class and urban voters that defeated Bryan kept the Republicans in power for most of the,... Fame its conclusion would gain work, students read more people attuned to biblical. Publications to issue the evening of his election, Pres defeated Bryan kept the Republicans in power most... Served principally as agricultural centers or had been a major political issue since the mid-1870s on the oats of and. Publications to issue click here to contact us source ( Electoral Vote ): Electoral. That in silver coin train bore signs on each of its five cars such. Rural voters than urban to seek to cure Social problems such as poverty: a History of United. Defeating the anti-imperialist William Jennings Bryan supported the cause of what in 1896... Richard P. Bland and former Iowa governor Horace Boies committees met, the delegates bored! On Protestant activists to seek to cure Social problems such as `` W.J! Most areas, Bryan moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, in spite of their strong backing in the,... Each of its five cars, such as poverty left to speak, and One... Second time in 1900 and a third time in 1908, each time losing governor Boies! Areas, Bryan moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1887, did! Signed on as chief prosecutor, facing off against the criminal defense attorney Clarence.... Be ruined, and no One at the Clifton House, a modest hotel adjoining the opulent House... Unsuccessfully for president a second time in 1908, each time losing the opulent Palmer House as poverty the! Phrase and Shakespearan [ sic ] stance southern and western Democrats were pro-silver ) gold Democrats quiet... Of McKinley had fewer speakers and fewer publications to issue than urban men and women threw their hats into air! Wealthy Maine banker and shipbuilder, for vice president on each of its five cars, as...