T PUBLISHERS' PREFACE. HE object of "The First Battle" is to present an account of the leading events and issues of the most critical campaign in American history. The work contains an interesting description of the author's famous tour, including his most important speeches, together with the principal addresses and documents identified with the campaign of 1896; the whole embodying a faithful presentation of the rise and development of the silver movement. It also contains a review of the political situation and an analysis of the election returns. At our request the author has included a biographical sketch written by Mrs. Bryan. The name and fame of the author may induce unscrupulous publishers to issue fraudulent imitations of "The First Battle." We desire to state that this book will appear under no other title than “The First Battle," copyrighted by William J. Bryan and bearing the imprint of W. B. Conkey Company. THE PUBLISHERS. PREFACE. The campaign of 1896 was whether a remarkably one we measure it by the magnitude of the iscues involved or by the depth of intuesh aroused. I have hee led to undertake the present work by a desire, filt by mysel and expressed by others, to have the more inv partant inciduils of incidunts of the campaign put into permanent form for the convenience of those who have taken part in the contest and for the use of thare who shall hereafter desire to The amount of work review the struggle dove by the advocates of free coinage is ben and the number of those who youd computation and is great for took an active part in the contics emmeration. These fasts, together with the difficulty of choosing between so many meritorious spuchs, have compelled me to limith quotations to the addusses made, and documents ismed, by persons standing or sui- officise capacity, and to the principal sperchro delivered bey myself. I have added an ar a brief history of the campaign, including a discussion of the election returers and the significause thirect. It has also beer thought best to now in the silver agitar the part Taken by rate me tion prior to the Chicago Courcition, and, the Publishers, I have in The request of cluded a biograplical skitch written by TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE. Pioneer Work in Nebraska...... VI. The Silver Sentiment Developing. VII. The Republican National Convention.. VIII. The Silver Republicans..... IX. The Democratic National Convention.. X. Contest Over the Platform...... XI. The Presidential Nomination... XII. Mr. Sewall's Nomination.. XIII. Homeward Bound................ XIV. The Silver Party Convention.. XV. The Populist Convention... XVII. Three National Committees.. XVIII. Preparing for the Campaign... |