St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-07-17


Chicago convention, together with
two comments on the man and the
issue by two of the greatest papers
in this country.
The Boy Orator Speaks.
Cheer after cheer went up as
Bryan of Nebraska, tall, smooth
faced, youthful looking, leaped up
the platform steps, two at a time, to
close the debate. Banners waved
from the free silver delegations and
handkerchiefs, newspapers, hats,
fans and canes were brought into
play by the enthusiastic crowd. At
one time the applause became deafen-
ing and could not be suppressed by
Mr.. Richardson who was still acting
as temporary chairman. When quiet
had been restored Mr.. Bryan began,
speaking clearly and deliberately.
Mr.. Bryan said those he represent
ed were tired of submitting to the
burdens which oppressed them. 1--WE
beg no longer, we petition no more;
we defy them " This denunciation,
uttered in Mr.. Bryan's most dra-
matte manner, was followed by
scene of wild excitement and cheering
which lasted several minutes.
What we need" Mr.. Bryan con-
tinued, lis an Andrew Jackson, to
stand, as Andrew Jackson stood,
against the national banks. We are
told that our platform is made to
catch votes. We reply to them that
changed conditions make new issues.
The principles on which the democ-
racy rests are as everlasting as the
hills, but they must be applied to the
conditions as they arise" New
conditions have arisen, and we are
attempting to meet them. They tell
us the tax question ought not to be
brought in here; that it is a new
idea.
They find fault with US for our
criticism of the supreme court of the
United States. We have not criti-
cised it. We have simply called
attention to it. If you want criti-
cism of the court in the matter of the
income tax, read the dissenting
opinions of the judges. They say
that we passed an unconstitutional
law. l deny it. The income tax
was not unconstitutional when it
went before the supreme court for
the first time. 1t did not become
unconstitutional until one judge
changed his mind. And we cannot
be expected to know when a Judge
will change his mind. CHEERS and
laughter,) The income tax is a just
law. am in favor OF it (applause)
and when | find man who is not
willing to pay his share Of the bur-
dens of the government which pro-
tects him, find man who is un-
worthy to enjoy the blessings Of
a government like ours. cloud
cheers.
They say that we are opposing the
national bank currency. 1t is true
Thomas Benton said that in search.
ing history he could find but one
parallel to Andrew Jackson, that
when Cicero destroyed the conspir
acy of Catiline and saved Rome, he
did for Rome what Jackson did when
he destroyed the bank conspiracy
and saved America. We say in our
platform that the right to coin
and issue money is a function o.
government. We believe that that
power Of sovereignty can no more
with safety, be delegated to private
corporations than the power tc
enact penal statutes or to levy taxa
ton.
Mr.. Jefferson, who was once re
garded as good democratic
authority, seems to have hat
different opinion from thu
senator from New York. The,
tell us that the issuance of pape
money is the function OF the banks
and that the government ought t.
go out of the banking business.
stand with Jefferson and tell them
as he did, that the issue of money i
a function of government, and tina
the banks ought to go out of tn
governing business. CHEERS an,
laughter.
If they ask us why it is that w
say more on the money questio
than on the tariff question, we repl
that if protection has slain it
thousands, the gold standard ha
slain its tens of thousand.
; (Cheers,) If they ask us why nc
embody in the platform all thos
t things that we believe, my reply il
that when we have restored tn
S money of the constitution all othe
= necessary reforms will be possible
2 and until that is done, there will
no reform that can be accomplished
=, Why is it that, within thrt
months, such a change has CON
over the sentiment of this country
Three months ago it was confident
asserted that those who believe
the gold standard would be in forl
t to secure platform, a nominatio
= and an election. There is scarcely
9 state here today asking for a gol
standard that is not within II
absolute control of the republica
party.
Why this change? All, my friend
n change is evident to any one WI