Evening star., 1896-10-24
MIR. Bryan Discusses His Advice to
Workingmen.
WHY BE COUNFENANCES DECEPTION
Defends Himself From the Charge
of immortality.
EARLY MORNING SPEECH

BUDA, ILL.,, October 24.-Early this morn
ing W. ]. Bryan began his work. Before 8
o'clock he spoke at Ottawa, and good
sized crowd cheered his arraignment of the
gold democrats. His speech was devoted
in the main to a general shaking up of the
men whom he said nominated a ticket in
order to elect a republican. Ex-Presideat
Harrison and NJ. E. Ingalls,. president of
the Big Four Railway Company. were
given few words.
At La Sale Mr.. Bryan spoke from fiat
car to a large gathering Of enthusiastic ad-
mirers of himself and Gov. Altgeld. The
action of the latter gentleman during the
strikes three years ago here and at Spring
Valley made the miners loyal supporters Of
him. and the crowds at both places this
morning showed demonstrative evidence of
affection for the governor and for the presi-
Dental nominee. At La Sale Mr.. Bryan
said in part:
Bryan's Advice to WOrkingmen.
Two distinguished men have called me
to account because of advice which l gave
to railroad employees. In speaking of the
attempt of the railroads to coerca their
employees L said that in these hard times
when employment is difficult to find
did not want to advise laboring men 10 10
anything which would lose them their en-
ployment, and added that they should wear
republican buttons If necessary, march In
republican Darades If they were command
ed to do so. and even contribute to the
republican campaign fund If that re-
quired by their employers. but that they
should vote according to their convictions
on election day. Mr.. Ingalls,. the president
of railroad, in a speech at Cincinnati
denounced ne for advising employees to de-
ceive their employers, and ex-President
Harrison has charged me with teaching
1rnli in Giving he which
have quoted.
Now 1 desire to Justify my position
The right to vote according to ones con-
science is a law given right. Coercion Is a
violation of law. and when 1 advise
ployes 20 vote as they please, even though
they must wear republican buttons, and
march in republican parades. 1 am taking
higher moral grounds and giving more pa
triotic advice than those who countenance
coercion and appeal to employees to vote
the republican ticket on election day mere
ly because they have been compelled to
republican badges during the cam
paign- When a man criticises me for ad-
yiSing employees to express their honest
convictions at the ballot box. I ask what
such people think of the Australian ballot
The Australian ballot is secret ballot. and
We have adopted it in this country in order
t. protect American citizens in the right to
vote according to conscience, without be-
Ing subject to discharge or persecution.
When Mr.. Harrison and Mr.. Ingalls, con-
denim me for telling them to vote as they
please, they virtually condemn the Aus
tralian ballot In fact, they condemn all
secret ballots, and tell the citizen that he
o. ght to announce in advance how he is
going to vote.
VIII Let the Public Judge.
There are some who can announce their
position in advance, and when a citizen
is in position Of independence 1 am glad
to see him do so. but when an employer
violates the rights of his employees by de-
manding that they shall march in parades
or wear certain badges. the employee has a
right to take advantage of the secret bal
lot. L am willing to let the public sit in
Judgment upon the advice which I have
given TO employees If Mr.. Ingalls, and Mr.
Harrison are willing to submit their advice
to the public. / am willing that the public
shall decide whether 1t is immoral for peo-
pie to vote according to their conscience If
Mr.. Harrison and Mr.. ingalls, are willing
to risk the verdict of the people or the
position they have taken, namely. that
employees must vote the republican ticket
on election day because they had worn
republican badges during the campaign"
A freight train had trouble south Of
Ladd. and the special on which Mr.. Bryan
was travelling was delayed at that place
for few minutes, and the time was utiI-
ized by the nominee in making a speech to
a rev hundred persons about the rear Of
the train 1t was an enthusiastic little
gathering. and cheered him repeatedly.