Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1896-08-22
COCHRAN ANSWERS BRYAN,
rammany's Famous orator Talks to New
Yorkors Against tho Chicago Platform.


Yorkors Against tho Chicago Platform.
New York, Aug. 10. - The mass
meeting of the Democratic Honest
Money league was held last evening |
i'll Madison Square Garden. Thou. |
sands of persons turned out to hear |
Hon. Bourke Cockran's reply to the |
speech of William j, Bryan, delivered |
in the same amphitheater last Wednes- |
day night. Every man, woman and
child who entered was given small
American flag and leafet containing
the words of the "Star Spangled Ban
ner" and America" These songs were
rendered by n double quartette in
which the vast assemblage assisted.
The small American flags played an
important part later in the evening,
when they were waved vigorously and
with charming effect by the vast audi
ence, which gave vent to its enthusi-
asm at some of the many points made
by Mr.. Cochran in the course of his
speech.
Maj. Byrne called the meeting to
order in brief speech. He named
Hon. Perry Belmont as chairman and
the latter made brief speech. Mr..
Belmont then introduced the speaker
of the evening, Hon. Bourke Cochran.
The vast audience was at once in an
uproar and an ovation was rendered
the ex-congressman. Mr.. Cochran
plunged at once into his subject-his
reply to Mr.. Bryan's speech. He said:
The issue Of this campaign is between the
honest discharge and the dishonest repudia-
tion of public and private obligations. 1t is u
question as to whether the powers OF govern
ment shall be used to protect honest industry
or to tempt the citizen 10 dishonesty. On this
question honest men cannot differ. 1t is one OF
morals and of justice 1t involves the exist
ence OF social order. 1t is the contest for civil
iZation itself. II it be dsheartening to the
democrats and the lovers Of free institutions to
find an issue OF this character projected into n
presidential campaign, this meeting furnishes
US with an inspiring truth Of how that issue
/ will be met by the people A democratic con-
4 vention may renounce the democratic faith,
but the democracy remains faithful to demo-
cratic principles.
Democratic leaders may betray convention
t to the populists, but they cannot seduce the
, footsteps of democratic voters from the path
| way of honor and Of justice. candidate bear
ing the mandate OF a democratic convention
9 may in this hall open canvass leveled against
s the foundations of social order, but he beholds
= the democratic masses confronting him on the
ground OF defense Fellow democrats, let us
not disguise from ourselves that we bear II
u
e duty We must raise our hands against the
nominee Of our party and we must do it V
preserve the future OF the party.
l am u little puzzled when read this speech
to decide just what Mr. Bryan imagines will bt
y the fruit of change in the standard of valu,
l. throughout this country. do not believe tina
any man can wholly follow the speech, because
= II he dissentS from one OF the conclusions HI
q has got to read but few paragraphs and h
\, will find another OF o different variety But
assume that it is fair in q discussion OF thi
5 character to examine the inevitable economi
)t effects OF debaSement OF the coinage; of
e- change In the standard by which existing debt
;. are to be measured in . baser measure c
value. Now, 1 will imagine that Mr.. Brya
himself may believe that in some way or othe
al he is going to benefit the toiers Of this coun
or tIy. He says he is but he declines to show u
'n how. For my part am willing to state her
We that II Mr.. Bryan could show me that by an
IS, means known to Heaven or known to earth,
IL any means revealed to the comprehension
w. man-that wages could be increased, will
en- ready to support him here and now.
ue Where the rate Of wages is high, there mu
er be prosperity. Where the rate OF wages is loy
oil there must be distress, II Mr. Bryan can sho
ny me that by the enforcement of any portion
as his programme wages will be increased in tn
lily country, will not only support him but W
ms recognize him us the wisest orator that ev
we opened his mouth on platform since the b
ginning of the world. will be ready to col
|
an stand is really the language OF inspiration
lily would regard his administration OF the pres
on idency as the kindling OF great light befo
'as the footsteps of man, showing him a broi
he pathway to endless happiness and measurele
IN prosperity. But in searching through h
lily speech, in reading through whole reams of po
lge ulistic literature with which this country h
EAR been flooded for years. l have never yet foul
M one syllable which showed me how populi
at expected to increase the rate of wages
Mr. Nothing is more common than the stateme
'tt that money and prosperity are identical Th
are not redundancy OF money does n
IAN prove any prosperity. There may be a We
Se- large volume of circulating medium and We
800, great poverty The issue of paper money siI
in ply is no more an increase of wealth than
md issue by an individual of his promissory nc
would show an increase of his property AZ
vo- matter of fact an increase in the coinage is
av- proof of an increase in property, but may b'
ter, strong proof of decrease in wealth. Mon
or never can circulate freely and actively unlt
the there be absolute confidence in its value
'ti- man doubts whether the money in his pocl
sm- will be as valuable tomorrow as 1t is to-di
line he will decline to exchange his commod
as against it, and this populst agitation thre
am ening the integrity Of money has been
tail cause OF the hard times through which /
s. country is passing.