The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-07-17
A POLITICAL SPEECH.
The "Boy Orator" Turns Himself
Loose on the Great Issue.

The "Boy Orator" Turns Himself
Loose on the Great Issue.
KANSAS CITY, July l6.-Ten thousand
people stood packed in the thoroughfare in
front of the Coates House and howled
themselves into frenzy of enthusiasm
over William j. Bryan, the Democratic
presidential nominee tonight The cheer
ing began at least an hour before the presi-
Dental candidate was advertised to appear,
and it was kept up with an occasional lull
until the distinguished free-silver advocate
appeared on the balcony of the hotel. Then
the vast throng broke out with redoubled
energy and gave him an ovation that was
not unlike that which he received after his
famous speech at the Chicago convention.
The Hon. Henry S. Julian, chairman of the
Jackson county central committee, intro
duced the silver orator. When the cheering
ceased Mr.. Bryan said:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen-I
stated to the committee that would not
make political speech, but in the presence
of so many interested people. lam afraid
/ will be compelled to break my promise
for just a few moments. Great applause.)
We are entering on a memorable campaign.
The platforms have been adopted Two
great parties have placed their candidates
in the field and in little while you, as
citizens. will be called upon to discuss the
issues involved. The platform adopted at
Chicago is, in my humble judgment. one
of the most splendid presentations of public
policies ever adopted by national conven-
ton in the United States. II presents those
issues which. in the judgment of the dele
gates. are paramount in this campaign. 1t
is Democratic platform in every sentence.
word and syllable. Tremendous applause.)
Democratic platform that carries the
party back to the days of it's founder,
Thomas Jefferson, and to its most courage
defender. Andrew Jackson. There
never a time when the real principles
of true Democracy were dcarer to the
hearts OF the American people than they
are to-day. and it Is because that platform
appeals TO the hearts of the American peo-
pie that you find them rising in its support
from the Pacific ocean clear down to the
place where the waves OF the Atlantic beat.
It is not the platform of q section. 1t is
the platform of Our common country and
1t appeals TO those who love mankind TO
arise in its defense.
1T Dreathes the spirit of the Declaration
OF independence. 1t presents those funda-
mental truths upon which all true govern
ment must rest. You will find in IT as Its
keynote that all men are created equal,
and that the object of government is to
secure to the individual his inalienable
right and protection from the humbiest to
liberty and happiness. Enthusiastic APP
plause) 1t proclaims the doctrine of civil
liberty and, with no less emphasis. 1t de-
clares the hight of every man to worship
his Creator. according 10 the dictates of
his own conscience. Cheering for three
minutes.)
all without regard TO station or condition
in society. and 1t pledges the party to be
no respecter of persons; leaving to The per- .ho
form and the time IN which they shall
worship. or. if they please. refuse to wor
ship the God who gave them being. 1t is
Democratic from the first sentence TO the
last in that broader sense in which Dc
mocracy appeals TO all who, believe in a
government of the people. by the people
and for the people. tApp.ause.)
But ONE QUESTION.
From time to time questions arise. But
the principles of Democracy are true in all
the times and climes. We simply apply TO
new conditions the principles which arc as
eternal as the hills and this time our plat
form has declared that the paramount pub
lie question is the restoration of the gold
and silver coinage of the Constitution.
wild spplause.) All other questions must
stand back until this great question is
solved. Four years ago went into a
campaign where the great dividing issue
was the tariff question. The tariff ques-
tion is a question of taxation and the sub
ject of taxation is always with us. We
may settle 1t now and again and again,
but while there is a government the sub
iect of taxation will be ever present But
there are times such as the times through
which we are now passing when the acts
of this Nation upon its financial policy
not only of this Nation. but of the world.
not only now. but for years and decades
yet 10 come. We have reached a crisis in
our monetary legislation. There are those
who would chain this Nation to the gold
standard but while there be those wha
would fasten a European yoke upon the
necks of American freemen. there IS but
one question and that is. can this Nation
govern itself and make its own laws for
its own people? wild applause)
I'm speaking with emphasis upon this
subject I beg of you not to think that We
who believe in the free coinage OF silver at
le to LACK charity for those who 6,. d,ne s
should use bitter words. have every re-
spect for the opinion OF those who differ
good men. who do not agree to the restora-
ton of silver. Let us not speak of them in
terms of denunciation- Aye. my friends. my
ceived this afternoon that one of the most
illustrious Democrats of the East, who diff
fered from US honestly upon this great
know that when 1 announce TO this great
audience that Ex-Governor William r.
Russell was this .s afternoon oa Sss,n suddenly
agree with me in leaping across the diff
fererces that separate Us and bowling with
reverence and respect over MS LleiesS
body Let us not speak harshy of those
who differ from US. Let US remember that
they. too are attempting to serve their
country according to their consciences and
according 10 their judgment. but let this be
a fight of principles, not men, Let Ii be a
contest a struggle. II you will. over a
great ISSUE and not bitter warfare be-
tween contending persons
URGED TO FIGHT
But. my friends. while we have all char
ity for those who differ from Us. and while
we concede to them the right to wage this
war as best they can, and by every hon.
orable means secure that legislation they
think to be best.I beg TO impress on you that
you have IN equal right, that the people