The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-11-16
BRYAN ON
THE R0STRUM.
He Delivers Two Addresses at
Lincoln, Nebraska.
One to the Mary Bryan Club of
Women.
HIS VOICE FAILS HIM.
But He Afterwards Makes a
Short Speech
To the Travelling Mems Bryan
Club and Others.
HIS VOICE FAILS HIM.

Lincoln, Neb.s Nov. 16.-William Jen-
nings Bryan delivered two speeches
Saturday afternoon and evening, which
had previously been announced as the
opening guns of the political campaign
of 1900. Mr. Bryan In the afternoon
talked to an audience at F'unlke thea
ter composed of 1850 ladies. members
Of the Mary Bryan club.
Mr.. and Mrs Bryan reached the
Theater shortly before 3 O'Clock in the
carriage of a friend and were escorted
to the place of honor upon the stage
Mrs w. n. Morning of the Mary
bryan club introduced the defeated
candidate The pronunciation of the
ex-candidate's name was the signal for
continued applause by glOved hands.
Mr.. Bryan smilingly acknowledged
the ovation and when quiet was re-
stored said:
Mistress Chairman and Ladies: AL
low me to thank you ia behalf Of my
self and wife for the interest you have
taken in the recent campaign and still
Us upon our return from Washington
Mr. Bryan then explained that the
audience was perfOrce limited to the
actual members of the Mary Bryan
club. because of the seating capacity
of the house. He was personally glad
to talk to believers fin the gold stand
ard and had frequently had to disagree
politically with his oldest and best
friends. He believed now, as always,
that every man. woman and child had
an inherent right of free political belief
and had no i'll viii to any one who diff
fered from him.
We initiate what we admire said
the speaker THE child's life tells
what the man viii be. I am glad to
see the wives and mothers at last
deeply and fully interested in the great
political issues Of the day. There is
one motto I should wish TO impress up
on their minds and have them carry it
r17lafr- r--a f-lfr- hon "a
motto is That d government like ours,
deriving its powers through and by the
people. should be founded upon this
one principle, equal rights to all and
special privileges to none
-HThe common peODle-the masses
those who are sometimes slightingly
alluded to as the rif-ram Qaughter)
are the very people who fail to profit
by special legislation.
I'VE DO not say that perfect equality
can ever exist among the people-fOr
that, my friends, depends largely upon
character, energy, frugal1ty and those
distinguishing traits in human beings
which tend by natural agencies to raise
one man above the head Of another
But what I do mean is that the com
mon people, every man of them shall
enjoy the same legal privileges as those
of greater financial power. That is
why we enjoy our form of government
because there is justice to be had as
between man and man, when the right
law makers are elected to represent
the interests of the people
Nov in this last campaign. I ad-
vocated the restoration of bimetallism-
Doubtless I read more works against
free silver than any speaker who Op-
posed me on the stump-when see
the great money classes combine to-
gether to make money dearers a know
1T is because they mean to profit by it
and not because they love the people
And when / find that these are the
ones who desire to continue the same
system under which we have fallen up
on these hard times, want TO do all
in my power to Illustrate their designs
Even my enemies have conceded my
physical endurance. and yet I want to
say my efforts were meager compared
with those of the people-the common
people Of this country. IF experience
teaches us that our opponents are
acuufesce in their victory and its fruits.
IT. on the contrary, they fail and we
are left to prove them in the wrong,
we shall al last convince them that our
principle was the right one, and shall
ask them to join us honestly.
In conclusion. allow me to thank
YOU most heartily for the courtesy eX-
tended to my wife and myself It viii
be forever one of the brightest mem
cries of our lives, and would ada
that L earnestly hope that these ladies
who are interested in questions of gov
eminent and worked so faithfully
throughout this campaign viii not drop
their studies. but Will continue to gain
an insight into practical politics, which
will prove Of inestimable value In the
training of the Oncoming generation OF
voters"
The closing sentences Of Mr.. Bryan g
speech We're Well nigh lnaualnies nlS
voice falling him utterly at times IN
this connection he said laughingly that
he was glad that it had not given out
during the campaign.