The herald., 1896-09-08

state great truth that is always to be
remembered, that capital is but the
fruit of labor, and you cannot destroy
labor without destroying the possibility
Of future capital (Applause.) I have
quoted from two American authorities.
1 want in the ascending scale to reach
a higher authority STILL Let me quote
to you what that man whose words
have entitled him to be called the wisest
of men. Solomon, said on this subject:
Give me neither poverty nor riches.
feed me with food convenient for me.
lest I be vain and deny Thee and say
Who is the Lord? or lest be poor and
steal and take the name Of my God in
vain."
1 want you to remember that Solomon
regards not the extreme, butt was
about to say the golden meant will saay
golden and silver mean, rather Gaugh-
ter and applause.
He regards that condition best which
is not at either extreme, but lies in be-
tween extremes. Neither great riches
nor abject poverty furnishes soil in
which grows the best cultivation. Those
who are oppressed by poverty lose the
ambition, the aspiration, the lofty pur-
pose that is necessary to lead one on to
greatest achievements, and those pos-
sessing too great wealth lose the neces-
sity to labor, that labor which is abso-
lutely essential to the development of
that which is best in human nature.
Solomon was right therefore, when he
praised this intermediate condition. The
great middle classes are the bulwark
of society, and from the middle classes
has come almost all Of good that has
come to bless the human race. CAP
plause)
Let me recall another compliment paid
to the common people. You know when
we use that term there are some who
say we are appealing to the passions
of the masses, there are some who apply
the name demagogue to anybody who
speaks OF the common people. My
friends, let me call to your attention
the fact that when the meek and lowly
Nazarene came among men preaching
peace on earth, good will toward men,
he was not welcomed by those who
devoured widows houses, and for pre-
tense made long prayers. applause. }
But when he gave that great command
ment. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as
thyself," who listened to him? The
Scripture tells us, and in so doing pays
the highest compliment ever paid to the
masses. The Scripture tells us that the
common people Sleard him gladly Zap
plause), and the common people are the
only people who have ever heard gladly
any person who preached humanity and
equal rights. (Applause.)
1 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 filled with
the spirit Of philanthropy. There has
always been found among them those
who are willing to spend their lives
in the uplifting of their fellows, but 1
am speaking of the rule that reforms do
not come from and are n,st supported
by those who consider themselves lifted
above the common people. (Applause
and cries of That's rightly Nor do I
mean that you have never found among
the people those who would betray their
fellows. You have found them every
where.
1t Is one Of the unfortunate things
that stands out upon every page Of his
tory, that the character of Judas Is not
confined to any class of society. He is
found everywhere and in all ages. Gap
plause.) simply mean to say this,
the common people have been the great
impelling forces that have lifted civil
ization from generation to generation
up to higher ground. (Applause.)
There are three forms of government
best known among men. There is the
monarchy, where king rules by right
divine; there is the aristocracy, where a
few control, and there is the democracy,
which means the people themselves.
Why is it that the strength of democ-
racy-I do not use 1t in a party sense.
but in it's broader sense-why is it that
the strength of democracy has always
been found among the common people :?
Why, 1t is simple enough. If a man has
high position, or great wealth, he may
be able to stand upon the good side Of
the king; il he has great influence he
may be one of the ruling classes in an
aristocracy. But we are not willing to
leave any form of government to our
children but a democracy in which each
citizen is protected in the endowment of
life and liberE and the pursuit of hap
piness. (Applause.) The great common
people believe in q democratic form of
government that they are able to protect
their rights and advance their interests
Let me dwell for a moment upon the
object of government In this land If is
our boast that our government derives
its just powers from the consent of tbe
governed. What kind of government
VIII people consent to when they are free
to consent? There is one kind of gov
ernment above all other kinds that tbev
love. applause and voice, "Bryan,s
government. A government which
knows no favoritism, government in
which every citizen stands on the same
plane, and where the government treats
them all alike without regard to posi-
tion in society or even without regard
to wealth; a government which gives
equal rights to all but confers special
privileges upon none. applause and a
voice, Good boy.") That is the kind Of
government that appeals to the friends
of the common people.
There are two things to be considered
IN government. The first is that the
enactment of legislation you shall be