The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-09-24

cease until victory is won. Before ad-
dressing myself to the money ques-
ton, desire TO say something In re-
gard to these planks OF our platform
which have been assailed by the en-
emy. l only speak of them because
persons, high In the republican party,
have called attention to them and
sought 10 twist them into meanings
not intended to be given them and an
Interpretation which they will not
bear. Let me read you the plank OF the
Chicago platform against which so
much abuse has been leveled. We de-
nounce arbitrary interference by fed
eral authorities in local affairs as a
violation OF the constitution Of the
United States; as a crime against free
institutions That is the part which
they say is bad. When did that be-
come bad? Let me read a plank of an
other platform and show how the plank
which l am about to read compares
with the one which l have read. The
maintenance inviolate of the rights OF
the state and specially the right OF
each state to order and control its own
domestic institutions according to Its
own judgment, exclusively. is essen
tial to that balance OF power upon
which the operation and endurance OF
our political fabric depends, and we
denounce the lawless invasion by arm
ed force of the soil of any state or ter
ritory. no matter under what pretext.
as among the greatest of crimes Gap
plause.) Do you know from what
platform II is taken?"
voice-"From Abraham Lincoln's."
Yes, from Abraham Lincoln's. CAD
plause, long and loud.) That Is q plank
In the platform of the republican party
In 1860. and when you compare our
plank with that you will find ours Is
mild in language compared with this
one. Abraham Lincoln ran for presi-
dent on that platform. He was elected
on that platform. (Cries OF 80 will
you be.") And in his inaugural ad-
dress, he quoted that plank In full and
reiterated 1t with his approval. (Cries
OF 80 will you.D Now. my friends, IL
our platform lis wrong, | want these
republicans to repudiate Abraham Lin
coin. Because IL you take Abraham
Lincoln from the republican party you
have taken from 1t It's most sacred
memory. applause and cries OF
There will be nothing left."O
Now let me call your attention to
another thing which they complain of.
They say we criticise. the United
states supreme court. Let me read
you what We say on that subject"
Mr.. Bryan then read the plank Of the
Chicago platform in regard to the in
come tax decision and continues: II
call your attention to the fact that
the court overruled the decisions Of
100 years. Have we not the right to
mention a fact? We declare congress
ought to use all constitutional powers
that remain. VIII they insist that,
having taken part. we dare not use
what they left? We demand that con-
gress shall use such powers as may
come before the court as II may here
after be constituted. Has no court
hereafter a right to reverse the decs-
ion Of this court? IL not. then what
right had this court to reverse the
courts of 100 years before II? This
court changes from time to time,
judges die or resign and new judges
take their places. Is II not possible
that future judges may adhere TO the
precedents of 100 years ago instead Of
adhering to a decision rendered by
majority of one, and that one changed
his mind?
when did our opponents find that
decision OF the supreme court was
so sacred? Why. this decision would
not have been rendered but for the
fact that the men who had to pay the
income tax attacked the decision of
the supreme court and asked this
court to overturn a former decision.
Every time lawyer goes into court
and asks for reversal Of the decision
of the court-and 1t is not an infre-
quent thing-every time a lawyer does
1t he attacks the correctness of the
decision which he desires TO have re-
\ Of kat he
ublican platform said about decisions
Of the supreme court in 1860: That
we condemn the recent reopenlng Of
the African slave trade under cover
ef our national flag. aided by perver-
sions OF judicial power
There Is no language In our plat
form that Is as harsh on the supreme
court as that republican platform. And
they call upon congress In that plat
form to take prompt and efficient
measure for the total and final sup
preston Of that excreable traffic. My
friends. on these two questions we are
assailed by the republicans to-day. We
have not taken as emphatic a stand as
the republican party took In the first
platform upon which II elected a pres
ident of the United States. our oppon-
ents say we are opposed to the en-
who have transgressed being afraid
there will be lax enforcement of the
law. Think of men who have consid-
cred themselves greater than the gov-
ernment. who are afraid the govern
ment will not be great enough
know why these men are afraid to
have the Chicago ticket elected. II is
because these great trusts, these great
| corporations. these great combinations,
this aggregated wealth, are enjoying
| unjust privileges. They Know that the
| attorney general whom ! will appoint,
| IL elected, will not stand there 10 de-
| fend the great corporations when he
\ ought to enforce the law.
| II believe the patriotism and the
| firmness of patriotic people will pre-
| vail in this struggle. To think other
wise would be to despair Of a govern
| ment like this We cannot have IA free
| government unless the people are free
to act. IL the people have TO obtain
| consent from a few people before tn y
can act. then the action will have the
same effect as that of a few people
and we will have a democacy merely
| in form"
Bryan then took M the financial
| question, Referring to Secretary Car
| isles recent statements as 10 the re-
| demption of silver dollars In gold, he
said: This means that all their talk
about retiring greenhacks and treas
ury notes to protect the gold reserve Is
a farce and a fraud, because they in
Il