The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1896-10-28
A TALK TO STUDENTS.
William j. Bryan at the Illinois
State College.
TO THE STUDENTS or HIS ALMA MATER
lie Sought 10 Convey the Preeep, ,hs,
III. highes, Duty was ths Search
for Truth, and, Having Found
|, to, Defend Il.

JACKSONVILLE, H., Oct. s6-The
streets OF jacksonville began to show
evidences early that some special
event was about to take place ia the
pretty college town. Vehicles 10 which
people had driven many miles lined up
along the cnrbs ofthe principal streets,
while the sidewalks were crowded
with excursionists. The presence Of
William J. bryan and his wife
In the community where they were
educated and spcnt the first few
years OF their married life was
the magnet that attracted 20 many
visitors, all Of whom had come to see
and hear the candidate deliver a speech
on the public square in the afternoon
Horsemen attired in red, white aud
blue isashes and decorations Of shim-
mering silver foil galloped about the
shaded thoroughfares Of Jacksonville
from an early hour, aud the occasional
arrival Of brass bands and free silver
clubs added to the excitement aud in-
terest that peryaded the little city
Mr. Bryan began his day In very
pleasant way. Surrounded by stu.
dents Of his alma mater, he made an
address in the chapel Of the Illinois
state college ia the forenoon, in which
he denied insnuations that he was not
aetuated by earnest belief in adyocst.
ing the free coinage Of silver, and
maintained that he was anxious to do
the greatest good to the greatest num-
ber of people in the United States.
No display was attempted, the rcgu.
lar religious exercises that were prae-
ticed in Mr.. Bryan's time and are still
maintained, being carried out IN all
their simplicity. Mr.. and Mrs. Bryan
joined the students in singing "Amer.
lea and In the responses to Psalm
xxv., which preceded the introduction
of the candidate by DIR. ] L. Bradley,
the president Of the college, the boys
forgot their surroundings in their de
sire to do honor TO the distinguished
alumnus and cheered with will as
Mr.. Bryan rose.
The candidate began by reference
to DIR. Sturtevant, who hal been a pro-
fessor at the college when he was a
student there, and said that when he
began to study the money question he
found that DIR. Sturtevant in his book
Economies, or the Science of Wealth,
had stated the fundamental prin'
ciple which underlies It. II al
ways go with pleasure before col
lege Students he continued but
came with especial pleasure before
the students of this college, because,
while man in public life must expect
TO have his motives misconstrued and
his purposes doubted, yet know some
thing about how young men feel, and
| believe that young men will believe
me when | tell them that my study
Of economic questions has been will
one single purpose, and that ha'
been to find out what solution o.
public questions was best for the ma
jority OF the people. Now we have
differences of opinion, and II is propei
that there should be charity showt
one TO another, because you know
none of us are infallible-we are al
apt to make mistalSes-but believ'
that those who desire most to ascer
tain the truth. and who labo
hardest to find out what is best
will come the nearest to arriving
at Just conclusion, and that no on
who desires to know the truth, VIII
desires TO do the best that can be done
ever objects to hearing from ono VIII
NAV differ from hi IN. You know trutl
does not exist in seclusion, but come
from the clash Of ideas, from the com
parison OF views. Error is the onl'
thing that fears public discussion
Truth has power within itsel
by which it propagates itself aud
after all, there is nothing omnipoten
but truth. And now, while we MAJ
differ here, as young men, upon varl
ous questions which arise, l know
that you will agree with me when
saw that in the long run that polio.
which proves to be best is going to b
adopted, and that those who attacI
themselves to righteous cause ar
sure to triumph at last. never go
among Young men without feelinl
that | ought to impress upon them
lesson which was impressed upon me
and that is that when a man believe
he is right, he can afford to stand alone
he can, afford to be called anything
because it Is not what people call yo
that determines character. 1t is wha
YOU are yourself.