Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-10-30
Ex.President Harrison's Reply 70 Bryan.

Boy Bryan has ascertained by this
President Harrison. and this increase
of knowledge has not been attained
without considerable chagrin and hui
initiation. The ex-presdent did not
hesitate to express the opinion, during
Bryan's tour of Indiana, that the Boy
Orators advice and admonition to the
workingmen in that state. was I'M
American, immoral, and insulting to
their manhood. Mr.. Bryan felt the
sting of that just criticism. and under
took to reply to it. In doing so he lost
his temper and was silly enough to ac-
cuse General Harrison of favoring the
coercion of workingmen by their en-
ployers.
The reply of General Harrison called
forth one of the largest audiences
ever assembled in Indiana, and his ad-
dress will not soon be forgotten by
those who listened to it. He denounced
Mr.. Bryan's charge as absolutely
fellow citizens to bear witness that he
had always denounced coercion of every
form. and had always upheld the right
of every citizen to cast his ballot in ac-
cordance with his political convictions.
Amid deafening cheers General Har-
rison continued:
Il viii undertake to defend that prin-
ciple everywhere-not only here but, if
an instance of the kind is brought to
my attention, will pledge myself as a
citizen and a lawyer to rebuke it,
Continuing General Harrison analy-
zed the advice of Boy Bryan to work.
ling men to conceal their real political
convictions, in case they We're favor
Kinley buttons and marching in Nc
Kinley parades. 1t was a remarkable
spectacle, which was never before seen,
and we trust will never again be seen
in this republic-the presidential candi-
dateo of political party deliberately adj
vising the workingmen of the country
| to make sneaks and hypocrtes of them
| selves. 1t afforded an excellent chance
| for needed excoriation, and General
| Harrison improved it in the following
| words: s.e
| What shall be said of the suggestion
he makes? l would have the working
man assert his manhood-not only vote
as he pleases. but wear the button that
he pleases, march in the parade that he
pleases, and ask no mans consent.
carnot think of qualification that goes
| further than for man to cover his
face with a mask and march under a
banner declaring that he has to conceal
his face in order to keep his place.
That is not the spirit of free man,
and Mr.. Bryan greatly UNDERWRITERS the
manhood of the American workingman
when he commends such a programme
as that to him. He greatly undertakes
the sense of fairness of the American
people, for l undertake to say that if
there were one well authenticated in
stance in the city of Indianapolis wher.
the poorest workingman had been CO.
creed in his convictions the entire press
of the city, the entire public sentiment
of the city. would be felt in condemna-
tioi of the base act. But the advice is
to pretend to be something that yo,
are not. in order to preserve the little
stipend of your daily wages. / repeat
it, l repeat it. that it is repugnant tc
the sense of honor that every mar
feels; that it is degradation to labo,
to suggest such thing What is i,
but to counsel man to act, YES. te
speak. that which is untrue, and j.,
what code of morals is that to be ius,.
fied?"
The effect of this magnificent burs
: of oratory in defence of national man
e hood is reported to have been almos
: indescribable. The audience went vii,
: with enthusiasm and cheered hin
$ again and again.
Mr.. Bryan is not wise man-saye i,