The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-24
BRYAN OPENS A
LECTURE TOUR
Warmly Received by the
People of Atlanta,
Georgia.
I" The Ancient Landmarks the
Subject Selected for His
Address.
FINDS Good Results From the Late
Campaign, as II Has SET People
to Thinking.

ATLANTA, GA, Dec. 23.-Hon. w. j.
Bryan opened his lecture tour here to-
night at the Grand Opera-house before a
| large audience. All day long he held an
almost continuous reception. Governor
Atkinson took him to the executive man.
sion in the morning as his guest. Atnoon
the Young Mems Democratic League
rendered him a luncheon, and tonight
the Fulton Club entertained him. Among
the speakers at the luncheon was ex-
Secretary Hoke Smith.
Mr.. Bryan was in troduced tonight by
Hal T. Lewis, the Georgian who NOM
mated him at Chicago. The late NOM
inee's reception was enthusiastic, the
audience cheering him loudly and long.
His subject was The Ancient Land
marks" The subject was extremely con-
sentative. The address was a discussion
of the governmental question. Govern
ment, be said, is what the people make
it-good or bad, as they dictate. They can
remedy any abuses if they seriously I'M
dertake to do so. Often they are indif-
ferent. 1t has been said that the man
who neglects to take part in controlling
government is worse than the men who
govern badly.
Mr. Bryan quoted literally from Jeffer-
son and Jackson. He touched on the
leading issues OF the recent campaign, but
in a non-partisan way. The aim, said he,
OF advocates OF different money systems is
to secure that one which is best for the
greatest number of citizens. Men differ
as to which system will accomplish that,
but all agree that the system which will
give unit of value of the least possible
fluctuations is the best. In the end the
people of this country, and eventually the
people of the world, will select that sys-
tenn under which the unit OF value is the
most stable.
In reaching that decision selfshness
must be taken into account. Selhshness
is here TO stay, but it is not wholly disad-
vantageous, for 1t is the manifestation of
the instinct OF sef-preseryation.
A government should not only avoid
abuses, but should protect the weaker
against the strong. A government sub
stltutes law for force and right for might
Governments must restrain. Mr.. Jeffer-
son said that one of the most important
duties of government was to restrain one
set OF ciIizens from iniuring another.
Trusts were denounced as a means of
doing an injury TO our felIowcit:Zens.
think any party openly defended trusts.
They are permitted to exist because the
people are Indifferent. They could be
abolished by legislation or by public opin-
ion. Newspapers form puolic opinion,
but they are not to be expected TO do it
all. Every individual citizen should exer-
else his influence and take position and
let it be known. Public opinion is so po-
tent that it can crush out any abuse, ven
trusts or the use of money in politics.
The use of money by political parties is
the most peInicious influence in politics,
and the party is young indeed which does
not use money 10 advance its ends. But
it should be remem bered that If the use of
money is permitted the citizens will them
selves be plundered to reccup the expendi-
lures
Unjust legislation was treated at some
length. The speaker declared unjust AK
alton to be larceny. 1t is taking money
from one MANS pocket and putting it in
the pocket Of another man. The chief
cause of discomfort in this country is
favoritism in one form or another under
the Government. This favoritism may be
manifested by unjust taxation in different
forms.
Mr.. Bryan found good results in the
recent campaign. 1t set the people to
thinking. a habit which they will keep
up. Jefferson said that public officials
who are not watched are wolves. Mr..
Bryan thinks that hereafter public officials
will be more closely watched. Good
government consists in jealousy and not
confidence Oyercontidence encourages
abuse of confidence
In concluding, the lecturer remarked
significantly that the Latin poets said we
plant trees the fruit OF which we do not
expect to pluck. We are laying the foun-
dation now for those who come after us.
A part of the foundation work was got
under way in the recent campaign. The
superstructure will be built later.
Mr.. Bryan will leave here tomorrow
morning. and he will 60 to Chicago,
whence he will 20 10 his home IN Lincoln.
He has a series of lectures booked in
Texas.