Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-08-18
MIR. DRYDEN'S SPEECH.

MI. JUS. NOlSul, WlO Introduced as Jne
first speaker, NJ +. Dryden, Esq
MR.. DRYDEN'S SPEECH.
When the applause which follower
the introduction of the speaker had sub
sided, Mr. Dryden launched into his
discussion Of the issues which divide
the parties IN the present campaign.
He characterized it as a fight between
the masses and the classes; plutocra-
cy on one side and Democracy on the
other" In his Introductory remarks,
he referred to the disposition to study
the financial question, which is mani
Testing itself among the common peO-
pie. The result OF tbs study means
votes for the Democratic ticket, for the
money of the Constitution.
He called the single gold standard a
destruction of One-haif of the peoples
money, and sad if ne were a banker, a
capitalist, Mark Hanna, he would be
for the gold standard. Because he is
not bOnd-hOlder, but a borrower, he
stands with the masses against the
classes. He said the campaign was the
most important ever entered into by
the people of the country, and you are
asked TO rivet the chains and letters Of
slavery even tighter on yourselves and
your children" He spoke of the mag
nificent ovation accorded TO the boy
Orator of the Platte" not by the bank
ers and bOnd-holders, but by the COM
mon people. He eulogized the Demo-
cratic candidate, and aroused great en-
ehusiasm among his listeners. He re-
ferred TO him as man who has the
courage of his convictions; who would
rather be right than President. The
fight is on. Every man who wants TO
protect labor, who believes in the cause
of the masses against the classes,
should cast his ballot for Bryan" The
fight between capital and labor has been
going on for a quarter Of a century, and
labor has steadily been ground down.
ward Statesmen, orators, preachers,
have sought for the man TO restore the
proper relations. "A happy turn in the
politics of the country finds Mr.. Bryan,
the peoples candidate, upon platform
declaring for the peoples money. The
labor question has been a grave one,
but It will be settled IN November, with
ballots and not with bullets. He liken-
ed the present struggle to the fight Of
the American people for their indie
pendence. and compared Bryan with
Lafayette.
Mr.. Dryden closed amid ~ousing
cheers. The band then rendered a Sc
lection, after which Mr.. Wood INTRO
duced as the next speaker. Hon. John o.
Pendleton. He was greeted with loud
cheers. He said in substance:
ADDRESS OF MR.. PENDLETON.
The people of this country are not
satisfied with their condition. The
feeling of discomfort is growing. We
know that the country is growing rep
idly inlwealth; that under the stars and
stripes live the freest and most en-
Hghtened people on the face Of the
globe: that our natural resources are
uneuualled. Our Republican friends
tell us of the rapid growth of wealth
within the last thirty years. that It has
almost uuadrupled. That is true. But
why are not the American people en-
masse contented? That is the ques-
ltion that confronts the laboring man
to-day. II IS the unfair and partial
distribution of that vast wealth which
has emb,ttered The masses. The man
who can solve the question. so that the
masses can be benefited, is the Moses
Of tine nineteenth century, the leader OF
the people. and under God | believe ms
name is William Jennings Bryan.
In 1860 there were not two hundred
r,ilIionaires in the country. Wealth
was more properly distributed. Thirty
yeers have gone by. and wealth has
cSonged in distribution. Population has
5cTbIed and the number of millionaires
bos increased to S0,0OO,and those 10000
men me, own more than one-half Of the
wealth of the American people. That
Is he question before the people to-day,
and on ,hat question you want to vote
right If I do not mistake your faces.
mighty voice will go I'D from Wheel
ing in November, in favor of the ele-
yqtion OF labor to a higher plane.
I am not an Anarchist. ! am not q
Communist. But when l look through
he legislation Of the past thirty years.
7 find that classes have been benefited
~ The detriment Of the masses. Legis-
lation has been enacted to enable rail-
road corporations to seize he lands Of
the peoole; 10 enrich the rich and i'm
,,ovarish the moor. This has gone on