Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-07-16

the memories of other days crowd out all
thoughts of other subjects on which we
may agree or differ. l remember with
grateful appreciation the kindly feeling
which existed here on church and party
lines when l lived among you, and L
shall not attempt to divide by party
lines those who are here today.
81 believe" said Mr.. Bryan, that there
Is an ideal plane In. politics, and believe
we stand upon it today. We meet today
recognizing the differences OF feeling,
but with charity towards each other.
We are all imbued with the same spirit,
all imbued with the same ambition, all
aiming to carry out the same purpose.
We want government of the people, LOT
the people and by the people, and IL we
differ as to the means, we cannot olHer
as honest citizens in purpose. thank
the republicans who are assembled here,
l thank the prohibitionists, l thank the
populists as much as do the democrats,
because, my friends, when these ques-
tions which rise to the surface and agi-
tate people have passed away we then
understand those fundamental principles
which underlie our government we all
agree in this, that whenever the govern
ment comes in contact with the citizen
and the citizen with the government, we
all stand equal before the law. We agree
that the government can be no respecter
of persons and that its strength, it's
matchless strength, must be the pro-
tector of the fortunes of the great and
the business of the poor; that 1T shall
stand an impartial arbiter between all
of its citizens.
I'VE believe governments derive their
just powers from the consent of the gov
erned; we know no divine rights OF
kings. Those citizens are those upon
whom rest the responsibilities of gov
ernment, and while each strives in his
own way to bring the government to
fit expression of the virtue of the people,
we cannot agree on those minor points
which separate us.
1T was here I received my first in
struction in democracy. 1t was here l
learned the truth of the saying that
clothes do not make the man. But all
who have the good of the country at
heart, all these stand on common
ground and all are citizens. These are
the basic principles upon which rests
the greatest nation on earth. l believe
in the progress of the race. Talk not
to me of crises through which we cannot
pass or obstacles too great to overcome.
l know none such. A patriotic people are
ready to meet every emergency as 1t
arises and as each generation follows
each I believe it will be better fitted to
perform the work of progress than ever
before.
1T was here that / learned freedom
of conscience. Every man has the right
to worship God according to his own con-
science, and no man shall dictate how
man shall serve God.'
Mr.. Bryan quoted Abraham Lincoln's
famous Gettysburg. referring to
the absolute confidence with which
the nation might look to its
people in time of danger, and
and throughout the land the nation can
look with confidence that patriotism
and courage will meet every danger.
'I thank you all for what you have
done for me and for the kindly express
sion which see on'every face. We shall
go forth and do our duty as we see 1t,
but the result will be unknown until the
votes are counted. But whether this
campaign shall result in victory or de-
feat, know time cannot rob me of the
affections of my boyhood days."
(Cheers.)
Mrs. Bryan was presented to the audi
ence and was given a hearty greeting, to
which she responded with bow. Then
Hon. f. M. Youngblood of Carbondale,
ILL.,, had his inning. He was introduced
as that old war horse of southern de-
mocracy," and made lively speech.
Others also spoke and the meeting was
voted a great success. A second politi-
cal demonstration in honor of the demo-
cratic candidate for president took place
this evening in the court house park.
Addresses were made by Mr.. Bryan, Mr..
williams, ex-congressman from this
to the park early In the evening, and
about q thousand people, who were
listening to band concert, rushed over
and made Mr.. Bryan undergo one of the
severest penalties of political candidacy.
They shook his hand violently for over
half an hour
The meeting was larger and more en-
thusiastic than that Of the afternoon,
and when Mr.. Bryan was introduced he
was given an ovation. Mr.. Bryan spoke
as follows-
"Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen
and Fellow Citizens: agreed to say
word in opening the meeting, and then
am going to give way to those who will
discuss the issues of the day. l remem-
ber that when l was at college saying
in Plutarch was that the men entertained
three sentiments concerning the gous'
They feared them because or their
poWer. they admired them because OF
their wisdom, and they loved them for
their justice That saying made deep
impression on my mind, and l think we
can use them to describe the three great
forms of government-the monarcnlal,
the aristocratic and the democratic. The
monarchial is all powerful because all
forces are concentrated in one hand.
The aristocratic form of government Is
powerful because 1t is conducted by a
few supposed to be the best. That may
be wise, but democracy is the only form
of government where you can conhuentiy
expect justice to rule. Therefore, men
feared a monarchy for its power; they
admired an aristocrac. for its wisdom,
and they loved democracy for its JUS
tice to mankind. If we were sure our
children might be friends of the king
we would belong to monarchy; If our
children were favored by government
by a few wise men we would be favor
able to an aristocracy, but remember
that when we pass away our children
must take our chances under these forms,
and when we know these things we are
only willing to leave our government to
a democracy, where all men are free and
equal How can we secure justice for
all the people? 1t is by applying to
every act of legislation and every depart
ment of government the fundamental
principles upon which our government
rests We have upon times of great agi-
tation, and there are some who are
quick to condemn the agitator. But, my
friends agitation in a country like ours
is the only way to secure justice. The
agitator is accused of stirring up discon-
tent. Discomfort lies at the bottom of
all progress. If our forefathers had been
content we would be today under British
rule. Great Cheering) 1t is only be-
cause they were not satisfied that we