The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-24
BRYAN'S LECTURES BEGUN.
a LARGE AUDIENCE TURNS OUT TO
HEAR HIM AT ATLANTA.


The Day Spent at a Round of Recep-
tiOns-Visited the Executive Man
sion in the Morning as the Guest
of GOV. AtkinsOn-YOung Mems
Democratic Club Entertains Him
at LuncheOn-His Lecture Ex-
tremeIy Conservative.
Atlanta, Ga, Dec. 2S.-Hon. William j.
Bryan opened his lecture tour here 20
night at the Grand opera house before a
large audience.
All day long he had been entertained by
one organization or another and he held
an almost continuous reception.
Gov. Atkinson took him to the executive
mansion in the morning as his guest
At noon the Young Mems Democratic
league rendered him a luncheon and to-
night the Fulton Club entertained him.
Among the speakers at the luncheon was
ex-Secretary Hoke Smith.
Mr.. Bryan was introduced tonight by
Hal T. Lewis. the Georgian who nomi-
mated him at Chicago
The late nominees reception was enthu-
siastic, the audience cheering loudly and
long. His subject was 1.-THE Ancient Land
marks" The subject matter was extreme
TO offend any one. The address was a dis
cussion of governmental questions.
Government, said he, is what the people
make it-good or bad, as they dictate
They can remedy abuses If they seriously
undertake to do so. Often they are indif-
terent. Ii has been said that the man
who neglects to take part in controlling
government is worse than the men who
govern badly.
Mr. Bryan quoted literally from Jefrer-
son and Jackson. He touched on the lead
ing issues of the recent campaign, but in
non-partisan way. The aim, said ne Of
the advocates of the different monetary
systems is TO secure that one which is est
for the greatest number of citizens. X en-
diner as 20 which system Will accomplish
that, but all Igree that the system " INCH
Will give a unit OF value of the least posi-.
BILE fluctuations is the best. In the end,
the people OF this country, and eventually
The people of the world, viii select that
system under which the unit of value is
most stable In reaching that decision,
selhshness must be taken into account.
Sellshness is here to stay. but it is not
wholly disadvantageous, for it is the
manifestation of instinct of self-preserva-
ton.
Government should not only avoid
abuses, but should protect the weaker
against the strong. A government substi-
tutes law for force, and right for might
Governments must restrain. jefferson
said that one of the most important duties
Of government was to restrain one set
Trusts We're denounced as a means OF
doing an injury to ones fellow citizens
MI. Bryan remarked that he did not
think any party openly defended trusts
They are permitted to exist because the
people are indifferent They could be
abolished by legislation or by public opirl-
ion. Newspapers form public opinion
but they are not to be expected to do
il all. Every individual citizen should
exercise his influence, take position and
let it be known. Public opinion is so po-
tent that it can crush out any
abuse, even trusts or the use
OF money in politics. The use
of money by political parties is the most
pernicious influence in politics. And the
party is young indeed, which does not use
money to advance its ends, But it must
be remembered that II the use of money
is permitted, the citizens themselves Will
be plundered to recoup the expenditures.
Unjust taxation was treated at some
length. The speaker declared unjust tax
alton to be indirect larceny. 1t is taking
money from one mans pocket and putting
it in the pocket of another man. The chief
cause of the discomfort in this country is
favoritism in one form or another under
the government. This favoritism may be
manifested by unjust taxation in different
forms.
Mr.. Bryan found good results in the re-
cent campaign. 1t set the people TO think
ing, habit which they will keep up. JEFF
ferson said that public officials who are
not watched are wolves. Mr.. Bryan
thinks that hereafter public officials will
be more closely watched. Good govern
tlttuA NOilSlSlS Al jealousy anu nut COnu-
dence. Overconfidence encourages abuse
of confidence.
In concluding, the lecturer remarked
significantly that the Latin poet said we
plant trees. the fruit of which we do not
expect to pluck. We are laying the foun-
dations now for those who come after uS.
A part of the foundation work was got
ten under way in the recent campaign.
The superstructure will be built later.
Mr. Bryan will leave here tomorrow
morning, and he will go TO Chicago,
whence he will go to his home in Lincoln.
lie has a series of lectures booked for
Texas.