The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-12-30
The First Lecture OF William J. Bryan.

The First Lecture OF William j. Bryan.
ATLANTA, GA, Dec. 23.-The Hon.
VIM. j. Bryan opened his lecture tour
here tonight at the Grand Opera House
before large audience. All day long he
had been entertained by one organiza-
ton or another, and he held an almost
continuous reception. Governor Atkin-
son took him to the Executive Mansion
in the morning as his guest. At noon
the Young Mems Democratic League
rendered him luncheon, and o.night
the Fulton Club entertained him. Among
the speakers at the luncheon was Ex-
Secretary Hoke Smith.
Mr.. Bryan was introduced tonight by
Hal. T. Lewis, the Georgian who nomi-
mated him at Chicago. The late nomi-
nee's reception was enthusiastic, and the
audience cheering loudly and long. His
subject was "The Ancient Landmarks"
The subject matter was extremely con-
servative There was nothing in it to
offend any one. The address was dis
cussion of governmental questions.
Government, said he, is what the people
make it, good or bad, as they dictate.
They can remedy abuses if they seriously
undertake to do 80. Often they are in
different. 1t has been said that the man
who neglects to take part in the controll-
ing government is worse than the men
who govern badly.
Mr.. Bryan quoted literally from JEFF
ferson and Jackson. He touched on the
leading issues Of the recent campaign,
but in non partisan way. The aim,
said he, of advocates of different none
tary systems is to secure that one which
is best for the greatest number of citizens.
Men differ as to which system will ac-
complish 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 system under
which the unit of value is most stable.
In reaching that decision selfshness must
be taken into account. Sslfishness is
here to stay, but it is not wholly disad-
vantageous, for it is the manifestation Of
the instinct of self preservation. Gov
ernment should not only avoid abuses,
but should protect the weaker against
the strong. A government substitutes
law for force, and right for might. Gov
ernments must restrain. Jefferson said
that one Of the most important duties of
government was to restrain one set of
citizens from ipjuring others.
Trusts were denounced as means of
doing an injury to ones fellow citizens.
Mr.. Bryan remarked that he did not
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
opinion. Newspapers form public opin-
ion, but they are not to be expected to do
it all. Every individual citizen should
exercise his influence, take position and
let it be known. Public opinion is so
potent that it can crush out any abuse,
even trusts or the use of money in poll
tics. The use of money by political par
ties is the most pernicious Influence in
politics. And the party is young, in
deed, which does not use money to ad
vance its ends. But it should be remem-
bered that if the use of money is permit
ted the citizens will themselves be
plundered to recoup the expenditures.
Unjust taxation was treated at some
length. The speaker declared unjust
taxation to be indirect 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. j.. set the people to
thinking, habit which they will keep
up. Jefferson said that public officials
who are not watched are wolves. Mr..
Bryan thinks that hereafter public off,
cials will be more closely watched. Good
government consists of jealousy and not
over confidence. Over confidence en-
courages abuse of confidence.
In concluding the lecturer remarked
significantly that the Latin poet said We
plant trees, the fruit of which we do not
expect to pluck. We are laying the
foundation now for those who come after
us. A part of the foundation work was
gotten under wayin tn recent campaign.
The superstructure will be built later.
Mr.. Bryan will leave here to morrow
morning and he will go to Chicago,
whence he will go TO his home in Lin
coin. He has series of lectures booked |
for Texas.