Lot 87
Bryan, William Jennings (1860-1925) Democratic candidate for President in 1896, 1900, and 1908; he was known as the "Great Populist" and hailed for his oratory skills. He served under Woodrow Wilson as Secretary of State but, being a pacifist, stepped down as war approached. He is best remembered for his battle against the great Clarence Darrow in the Scopes "Monkey Trial," a trial that sapped all of his strength and caused his death.
Typed letter signed ("W.J. Bryan"), 1p., 5½ x 8", Lincoln, Neb., July 31, 1896. Having just been chosen as the Democratic presidential nominee at the convention in Chicago, Bryant writes to the great political economist Alexander del Mar (1836-1926), thanking him for his letter of congratulations and for "your expressions of good will and for the interest your Committee is taking in this campaign." Del Mar was an American political economist, historian, numismatist and the first director of the Bureau of Statistics at the U.S. Treasury Department from 1866-69. Del Mar was a rigorous historian who made important contributions to the history of money. He was distinctly hostile to a central monetary role for gold as a commodity money, championing the cause of silver and its re-monetization as a prerogative of the state. In that mind, Del Mar was the New York state chairman of the Silver Party, and spoke in support of Bryan at the Chicago convention. In a memorable speech to the convention, Bryant himself had delivered a blistering attack on the gold standard. A wonderful association!
Estimated Value $600 - 800.
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