Which faction opposed the regular Democratic nominee in 1896 and nominated John M. Palmer?

The faction that opposed the regular Democratic nominee in 1896 and nominated John M. Palmer was the Gold Bug Democrats. During this period, the Democratic Party was divided largely over the issue of the gold standard versus bimetallism. The Gold Bug Democrats were committed to maintaining the gold standard and opposed the idea of adopting bimetallism, which would allow for the coinage of silver alongside gold.

John M. Palmer was chosen to represent this faction to emphasize their commitment to sound money policies and to appeal to conservative voters who feared inflation and economic instability that could arise from a shift to a silver standard. This division within the Democratic Party highlighted the broader economic and ideological conflicts of the time, particularly as the nation grappled with issues related to monetary policy and the role of government in the economy.