Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-09-10

traction of the day was the speech Of
William ]. Bryan at Sharpshooters,
park in the afternoon. On the stage
were seated Judge Mcconnell, Judge
Prentiss and a large number Of repre-
sentatives Of the trades unions. Bryan
was introduced by Edward Carroll,
president of the building trades 2oun-
ell, in a brief address. Mr.. Bryan
spoke as follows: Labor day has
Eecome fixed thing among our insti-
buttons, and it is well it has, because
en- this day all over the nation those
who are engaged in the production Gf
wealth meet, III order that they may
commune with each other discuss those
questions in which they are specially
interested and emphasize before the
world that there is nothing dishouOr-
able in the fact that one earns bread by
the sweat of his face. I am not induIg-
ing in idle fiattery when | say that no
part of the people of the world are so
important to the welfare of mankind as
those whose labor and brain convert
natural resources into material wealth
Lincoln in his message to congress
used these words: Labor is prior to
and Independent of capital. Capital is
only the fruit of labor, and would never
have existed if labor had not first ex-
listed. Labor is the superior of capital
and deserves a much higher considera-
ton Let them beware of surrender
ing the political power they always
possess, which if surrendered, will
surely be used to close tie door of ad-
yancement against such as they, and
to fix new tasks and burdens upon
them, till all their liberty shall be
lost. Neither great riches nor abject
poverty furnishes the soil upon which
grows the best civilization. Those
who are oppressed by poverty lose am
bition, aspiration and that lofty pur-
pose that is necessary to lead one on to
great achievements; those who possess
too great wealth lose the necessity for
labor, which is absolutely essential to
developing that which is best in human
nature. Solomon was right when he
said: Give me neither poverty nor
riches The great middle classes are
the bulwark of society and from the
middle classes come almost all the
good that comes to bless the human
race. If man has a high position
and great wealth he may be able to
stand and keep on the good side Of the
king. If he has influence he may be
one Of the ruling classes in aristocracy.
But you are not willing to leave any
form of government to your children
except the democracy lry
which each citizen is
protected in enjoyment of life and lib
erty and the pursuit of happiness.
There are some who would silence
every criticism of existing law.
There are those who would denounce
everyone who advocates a change as a
djsturber of the public peace, as one
who breeds discomfort. l want to say
to you that discomfort lies at the foun-
dation of all progress. So long as you
are satisfied you never go forward. 1t
is only when you are dissatisfied with
your condition that you try to improve
these conditions. Had our forefatherS
been satisfied with English political
supremacy we never would have had
content under a monarchy may end N
despair, or revolution. Discomfort I'M
der our form of government ends in
reformation through the peaceful
means of the ballot. I honor the la
boring men of the country because
they secured to the people of the
country the Australian ballot. I be-
91shI tIplt ri al INI1 JC
simply an extension of the idea of the
court of justice. It is merely the in
shutting of a tribunal before which
men may go to settle differences, in
stead of resOrting to violence. You
say the labOring man is interested in
arbitration. Yes, but society has a
higher interest even than the laboring
man in the principle of arbitration.
Society has the right to protect itself
against the contests of labor and cap
ital. Society has the right to say
that the employer and employee, in
stead of asserting their rights or
CLAIMS and defending them by force,
shall, in the interest of society, sub
nit to an impartial tribunal and let
justice be done by those who can see
10th sides.
My friends, if you find large num-
Der Of men out Of employment you
have the right to inquire whether this
idleness has been inflicted upon the
human race by laws, by an act of the
Creator, or whether it is due to legis-
lation which is wrong. If is is due to
the latter, then it is your duty to
change that legislation. 1t is said
that vigilance is the price of liberty.
Yes. not only for a nation. but indi-
vidual liberty. A citizen who is indif
ferent is citizen who is apt to be mis-
ruled. Let me urge you whatever are
your views on the political questions,
to make your highest ambition to
prove yourselves worthy of that great
est honor of all nations-an American
citizen"
Bryan took the $50 train on the
Burlington road for Lincoln, Neb.,
stopping at Aurora, Ill, for a 20 min
ute speech. Three or four hundred
people were at the depot to see his
departure but made no demonstration.
/ SENATOR PAYNE LOW.