JLLU I WM I WMV 



Figure 12-14. — Br van campaign items from 

 the campaign of 1896. Bryan's supporters 

 could indicate tlieir devotion in many ways. 

 Shown are a cane, a paper hat, and a paper- 

 weight, all bearing the likeness of the Demo- 

 cratic candidate. Although there were many 

 varieties of Bryan campaign objects in 1 896, 

 the quantities of such objects did not ap- 

 proach the output of the Republican cam- 

 paign. With a much greater sum of money at 

 its disposal, the Republican National Commit- 

 tee distributed millions of McKinley cam- 

 paign objects. (Smithsonian photos4g347, 

 49347~L, and 49347-E, Becker collection.) 



them in trains especially hired for the purpose, to hear 

 McKinley. In this way, the candidate was able to 

 control his audience, he knew exactly how to address 

 each group, and most of the danger of error was 

 taken out of the campaign. McKinley lost no 

 dignity — he was not subjected to the misfortune of 

 mingling with the crowds. Hanna developed an im- 

 mense, yet tightly knit, machine which was closely in 

 touch with local political situations throughout the 

 country and was able to concentrate and shift its 



efforts in the various regions of the nation, according 

 to need.'"- 



Not only was Bryan confronted with a remarkably 

 aggressive Republican campaign, he also faced a 

 division within his own party. On September 2, the 

 Democratic old guard convened at Indianapolis to 



if.H William G. Spielman, William AicKinley, Stalwart Republi- 

 can (New York, 1954), pp. 92-94; Charles G. Dawes, op. cit. 

 (footnote 41), pp. 65-107; Herbert Croly, op. cit. (footnote 

 7), pp. 209-227; JosEPHSON, op. cit. (footnote 4), pp. 688-707. 



76 



BULLETIN 24 1: CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY 



