Bland would either die on the campaign trail, or soon afterward like Horace Greeley did during the Electoral Vote count. This might be good or bad for Bryan. Good because he gets his start in politics a little bit later and has more time to mature and perfect his art, as well as not become old news to the Democrats. Bad because 1896 was the perfect year for him, and Bland might discredit Silverism and Populism for the Democrats. Bland is going to lose, for the reason's David T put above, but this would have a profound inpact on Bryan and the Democratic Party's evolution.