At the 1896 Democratic National Convention in Chicago , the Democrats nominated William Jennings Bryan for president and adopted a platform calling for the free coinage of silver . Gold standard Democrats opposed Bryan and the free silver platform . They formed a new party — the National Democratic Party , or Gold Democrats — which Buckner joined . At the new party 's state convention in Louisville , Buckner 's name was proposed as a candidate for vice president . He was given the nomination without opposition at the party 's national convention in Indianapolis . Former Union general John Palmer was chosen as the party 's nominee for president
1896 Democratic National Convention
1896 Democratic National Convention
Simon Bolivar Buckner