The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-09-10


in consequence. de finally reached the
speakers stand, where he was received
with prolonged applause. On the stand
were seated Judge Mcconnell, Judge
Prentiss and large number of repre-
sentatives of the trades unions of Chi
cago At 2 20 Mr.. Bryan began his
speech, being introduced by Edward
Carroll. president Of the Building
Trades council, in a brief and appro.
pirate address. Mr.. Bryan said:
/ desire to thank the Building and
Trades council for this opportunity which
they have extended to me to speak before
the assembled on Labor day. Labor day
has become u fixed thing among our insti-
tutions, and IL is well that IL has, because
on this day all over this nation those who
are engaged in the production of wealth
meet In order that they may commune
with each other, discuss those questions
In which they are especially interested and
emphasize before the world that there Is
nothing dishonorable In the fact that ono
earns his bread in the sweat of his face. /
am glad to stand on this day in the pres.
enoe Of those to whom this patton is SO
largely indebted for all that 1t has had for
ell that it has now and for all that 1t can
hope TO have. l am not indulging in idle
fattery when ! say to you that no part OF
to the welfare Of mankind as those whose
labor and brain convert natural resources
into material wealth. Applause,
/ might quote to you what Mr.. Carlisle
said Of these people in 1878. he described
them as the struggling masses who. pro.
duce the wealth and pay the taxes of the
country. He did not praise them too
highly. The struggling masses not only
produce the wealth and pay the taxes of
the country in time Of peace, but the
struggling masses have ever been and
must ever be the nation surest protection
in time of peril. tApplause and voice;
Good boy, Willie"
Let me quote, you what another Ameri;
can has said. In speaking Of capital and
labor Abraham Lincoln, In a message to
Congress, used these words; Monarchy
itself is sometimes hinted at as a possible
refuge from the power Of the people. In
my present position / could scarcely be
justified were TO OMIT to raise warning
voice against this approach of returning
despotism. 1t Is not needed nor fitting
here that general argument should be
ma de in favor of public Institutions; but
there is one point with its point not so
backneyed as most others, to which / ask
brief attention. 1t is effort to place
capital on an equa. footing with, If not
above labor, in the structure of govern
ment. 1t Is assumed that labor Is avail
able only in connection with capital; that
nobody labors unless somebody else com.
manding capital somehow by the use OF
it induces him to labor" And then he
odds: Labor Is prior to and independent
OF capital. Capital Is only the fruit Of
labor, and could never have existed If
labor had not first existed. Applause].
Labor is the superior OF capital and do
serves much higher CONSIDERATIONS"
These are the words of Abraham Lin
coin, They are not intended to rouse ami
mostly against capital but they state a
great truth that Is always to be remem.
bered that capital is but the fruit of labor,
and you cannot destroy labor without de-
stroying the possibility OF future capital
Ard the common people are the only
people who have ever heard gladly any
person who preached humanity and equal
rights. (Applause.) / do not mean to
say that there are no exceptions to the
general rule. There have always been
found among the richer classes those who
were filed with the spirit of philanthropy
there have always been found among them
those who were willing to spend theil
lives in the uplifting of their fellows; but
] am speaking of the rule that reforms dc
not COZ j, from and are not supported by
those ,,ho consider themselves lifted above
the common people. "a voice, THAT
rightly Nor do l mean that you hav,
those who would betray their fellows.
There arc three forms of government
best known among men. There is tn,
monarchy, where king rules by right di
vine; there is the aristooracy, where a few
control, and there is the Democracy, ,whicl
means the real people themselves. VIII.
is it that the strength Of Deinocraoy-I d'
pot use II In party sense, but in a broade
sense-why is Il that the strength of Dem
ocracy has always beon found aUong th
common peoplef Why? Why IL is simpl
enough. If q man has high position o
great wealth he may be able to stand an
keep on tho good side OF the king. III h
| has great influence he may be one of tn
ruling Glasses in an aristooracy. But yo
are not willing to leave any form of gov
ernment to your children except Dem
ocraoy in which each citizen Is protecte
! In the enjoyment of life and liberty an
the pursuit of happiness Applause
! The great common people believe in
Democratic form OF government, becaus
1t Is only in Democratic form OF govern
ment that tb y are able to protect thei
rights and advance their interests so far a
government can advance human interests
Let me dwell for O moment upon the oil
ject of governments.
Our government is the best form of gov
ernment known among men. Our go'
ernment iS the best form OF governner
known among men not because every la
Is good, not because we have upon u
statute books every law needed TO prote'
each citizen in the enjoyment OF his right
| Our government Is the best form OF go
ernmept known among men because lt
possible under our form Of government
have just as good government as u
people deserve. Ours Is the best form b
cause 1t Is possible for the people to nal
1t reflect the best intelligence, the highe
virture spd the broadcast patriotism Of a
the people.
government with the abuses Of COVER
fnent. Andrew jackson said that the
were no necessary ills in government
thst Its evils existed only In Its abuses
Lot me dwell for moment upon tl
object Of government. In this land 1t
our boast that our government derives 4
lust power from the consent OF the go
Srned What kind Of government WI
people consent to when they are free
6opsent. There are two things TO be 90
sidered In government The hrst Is th
be careful TO give no advantage to OF
person over another II that advantage o.
be prevented. In other words, 1t Is tn
| duty of government to avoid acts o
affirmative injustice; but that Is only par
OF the business OF government. Jefferson
has stated the other half OF 1t. He say
that government must restrain me-
from injuring one another. That Is on
i of the important duties OF government, q
restrain men from injuring one another
and the govern. nent that fails TO restrai
i the stronger arm that can be lifted fron
injnrfng the weakest citizen In all u
land Is government which fails to do II
whole duty lApplause.
My friends, II you find large numbe
Df men out Of employment you have
! right 10 inquire whether idleness Is Y
filotod upon the human race by natu =