The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-09-08
DUTIES OF CITIZENSHIP.
TEXT OF LABOR DAY TALK OF
THE FREE SILVER CANDI-
DATE.
POLITICS DID NOT ENTER INTO IT.
Partixan Problems and Party Poll
cies Touched ON Only in an
Indirect Manner.

| probably 80 900 men participated prac-
tically every trades union in the city
being represented. The weather was
ideal, and the streets were thronged
at an early hour by the sons of toll and
their families. Shops and factories
were generally closed in recognition of
the workingman's holiday and all pub
! lie Offices the board Of trade and many
| down town stores remained closed all
| day. The chief attraction of the day
was the speech Of William ]. Bryan, at
Sharpshooters' Park, this afternoon.
There was also speaking at Ogdens
Grove by prominent labor leaders.
The crowd gathered at Sharpshoot-
ers' Park, the spot selected for today s
performance. At 1 o'clock there were
probably not to exceed a thousand
people around the speakers stand,
many of whom were ladies. After that
time there was steady stream of peo-
pie flowing into the grounds and the
available places were soon occupied by
| an eXpectant throng. At 2:30 o'clock
a mighty shout went up from the out
skirts of the crowd and there was a
great rush for the carriage occupied
| by Mr.. Bryan, which had just then ar
rived within the enclosure of the park,
Hundreds Of people pressed forward
seeking to shake Mr.. Bryan by the
hand, and the passage Of the carriage
through the crowd was somewhat slow
in consequence. He finally reached the
speakers stand where he was received
with prolonged applause. On the stand
were seated Judge Mcconnell, Judge
Prentiss and large number of repre-
sentatives Of the Trades Union of Chi
cago.
AT 2;20 Mr.. Bryan began his speech,
being introduced by Edward Carroll,
president of the Building Trades Coun-
Gil, In brief and appropriate address,.
Mr.. Bryan said:
BRYAN'S ADDRESS.
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: T
desire to thank the building and trades coun-
Gil for this opportunity which they have ex-
sos11 sended to me to speak before the people as
come fixed thing among our institutions
and 1T is well that it has, because on this day
all over this nation those who are engaged
IN the production of wealth meet in order
that they may commune with each other
discuss those questions In which they are
especially interested and emphasize before
| the world that there Is nothing dishonora Bile
in the fact that one earns his bread in the
sweat of his face
am glad to stand on this day in the pres
| ence of those to whom this nation is so large
! ly indebted for all that it has had. for all
that it has now, and for all that it can hope
to have. l am not indulging in idle hattery
| when | say to you that no part of the peonle
| of the world are so important to the welfare
of mankind as those whose labor and brain
! convert natural resources into material
what Mr., Carlisle said of these people in 1878
| He described them the struggling masses
| who produce the wealth and pay the taxes of
the country. He did not praise them too
highly. The struggling masses not only pro-
duce the wealth and pay the taxes of the
| country in time of peace but the struggling
masses have ever been, and must ever be the
nations surest protection in time of peril
| Applause, and a voice, Good boy, Willie. y
Let me quote you what another American
has said. In speaking Of labor and capital
used these words
"A monarchy itself is sometimes hinted at
as possible refuge from the power of the
people. In my present position 1 could be
scarcely justified were l to omit to raise a.
warning voice against this approach of re-
turning despotism. 1t is not needed nor fit
ting here that general argument should be
made in favor Of public institutions but
! there is one point with its connection not so
trite as most others, to which 1 ask brief
sr'enon an t, II is the effort to place capital
the structure of government. 1t is assumed
that labor is available only in connection
! VIII capital, tnat NOBODY labOrS unless Sorna-
body else commanding capital, somehow by
the use of 1t, induces him to labor" And
then he adds Labor is prior to and indie
pendent OF capital Capital is only the fruit
or labor and could never have existed If
labor had not first existed. (Applause1 La
! Dor is the superior of capital and deserves
4 much higher consideration,
Then he adds: mo men living aro roo-a
worthy to be trusted than those who toll IN
from poverty; none less inclined to take or
touch aught which they have not earnestly
! earned. LET them houyo oP
power which they already possess and which.
II surrendered, Will surely be used to close
th the door OF advancement against such as
| plause)
These are the words of Abraham Lincoln
They are not intended to arouse animositv
against capital. but they state great truth
! that is always to be remembered that canita1
Is but the fruit of labor. and you cannot de-
! stroy labor without the possibility of future
| capital (Applause) l have quoted from two
American authorities. ! want in an ascending
scale to reach higher authority STILL Let
1 have entitled him to be called the wisest of
men Solomon, said on this subject:
GIVE me neither poverty nor riches: feed
me- with food convenient for me- Best l be
evil and deny Thee and say, Who is the Lord ;
name of my God in vain.'
l want you to remember that Colomon 70
/ CARDS not the extreme, but I was about tn
say, the golden meant will say the golden
ana silver mean, rather. daughter and an
| plause.) He regards that condition hest
| which is not at either extreme but lies In
| between the extremes. Neither great riches
nor abject poverty furnish the soil in which
grows the best civilization. Those who are
| oppressed by poverty. lose the ambition the
| aspiration, the lofty purpose that is neces-
| sary to lead one on to the greatest achieve
ments; and those who possess too great
wealth lose the necessity for labor that labor
| which is absolutely essential to the deyelon
| ing of that which is best in human nature
| Solomon right, therefore, when he prays
! this intermediate condition. The great mid
| die classes the bulwark of society and
| from the middle classes has come almost all
! of good that has come to bless the human
race. Applause.)
Let me recall another compliment paid to
the common people You know when we use
| are appealing to the passions Of the masses:
| there are some who apply
THE NAME DEMAGoGUE
| to anybody who speaks of the common peo
| pie My friends let me call your attention
| to the fact that when the meek and lovIv
| Nazarene came among men, preaching "pesce
on earth: good will toward men, he was net
| welcomed by those whe were described as
people who deyoured widows houses and
| for pretense made long prayers IAN
Dlause) But when he gare that great com
mandmentTthat Thou shalt love thy neigh
ber as thyself," who listened to him? The
Scriptures tell us that the common people
heard him gladly. tApplause.) And the com
non people are the only people -sho have
yer heard gladly any person who preached
humanity and equal rights. (Applause)
/ do not mean Ia saw that fhere arc mr.