The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-08-13

pie. who viii deny them the right TO
enjoy those benefits?
If our opponents would admit the
right, the ability, and the duty OF our
people to act for themselves on all pub
lie questions without the assistance
and regardless OF the wishes OF other
nations. and then propose the remedial
legislation which they consider SUM
eient, We could meet them in the nekd
of honorable debate but when they as
sert that this nation il helpless TO pro-
tect the rights of its own citizens, We
challenge them TO submit theirs to q
people whose patriotism has never been
appealed to in vain.
1--WE shall not offend other nations
when we declare the right of American
people to govern themselves, and with
out let or htndrance from without de-
eide upon every question presented Tor
their consideration. In taking this pO-
sition, we simply maintain the dignity
of the 70,00o 900 citizens who are second
ment. The gold standard has compell-
ed the American people to pay an
ever-increasing tribute to the creditor
nations of the world--a tribute which
no one dares to defend.
Il assert that national honor requires
the United States to secure Justice for
all its citizens as well as to do justice
to all its creditors. For q people like
ours blessed with natural resources Of
SURPRISING richness, to proclaim them
selves impOtent to frame a financial
system suited to their own needs, is
humiliating beyond the power OF Ian
guage to describe. We cannot enforce
respect for our foreign policy so long as
we confess ourselves unable to frame
our own financial policy.
Honest differences of opinion have
always existed. and ever will exist, as
to the legislation best calculated to
promote the public welfare, but when
is is seriously asserted that this nation
must bow to the dictation of other ma
tons, ana accept the policies which
they insist upon, the right of self gov
eminent IS asSa1led, and until that
question is settled all other questions
are insignificant.
Citizens of New York. have trav-
eled from the center, of the continent to
the seabOard, that might, in the very
beginning of the campaign, bring you
greeting from the people of the west
and south, and assure you that their
desire is not to destroy, but to build
up. They invite you to accept the
principles of a living faith, rather than
listen to those who preach the gospel
of despair and advise endurance Of
the ills you have.
The advocates of free coinage be-
Heve that in striving to secure the i'm
they are laboRing in your behalf as
well as their own behalf A few of our
people may prosper under present
conditions, but the permanent welfare
of New York rests upon the producers
Of wealth The great city is built upon
the commerce OF the nation and must
suffer if that commerce is impaired.
You cannot sell unless the people have
money with which to buy, and they
cannot obtain the money with which to
buy unless they are able to sell their
products at remunerative prices.
Production of wealth goes before
the exchange of wealth; those who
trade must secure a profit before they
have anything to share with others
You can not afford TO join the money
changers in support of a financial pol
icy by which they destroy the purchas-
ing power Of the products of the toll
which must in the end discourage the
creation of wealth.
Il ask, 1 expect your cooperation.
1t is true that a few of your fnanciers
would fashion a new fgure-a figure
representing Columbia, her hands
face turned toward the east. appealing
for assistance to those who live beyond
the sea. but this figure can never ex-
press your idea of this nation
You will rather turn for inspi-
ration to the heroic statue which
guards the entrance to your eity-a
statue as patriotic in conception as it
is colossal in proportions; it was the
gracious gift of a sister republic, and
stands upon a pedestal which was built
by the American peopIe-that figure
Liberty Enlightening the Worlds
emblematic of the mission Of our ma
ton among the nations of the earth
"A government whfch derives its
powers from the consent OF the govern
ed secures to all the people freedom of
conscience, freedom of thought and
rights to all and promises special priv
iIeges to none. The United States
should be an example in all that is
good and the leading spirit in every
uplifting of the human race"
The delivery of Mr.. Bryan's speech
consumed nearly two hours and its
finish was greeted with hearty ap-
D1aH9e