The herald., 1896-09-08
BRYAN'S ADDRESS
70 COMMON PEOPLE
Delivered on Labor Day
at Chicago
A TREMENDOUS CROWD present
Made Up of Laborers and Labor
Leaders
POLITICS NOT DISCUSSED
Except as Regards Fundamental Prin-
ciples of Democracy
Words Not Intended to Rouse Amino sity
Against Capital
The Great Truth Statsd That Labor Cannot
Be Destroyed Without Also Des.
troyiug Al, Hope Of an In.
crease Of Capitol
POLITICS NOT DISCUSSED
Except as Regards Fundamental Prin-
ciples Of Democracy
Words Not Intended to Rouse Amino sity
Against Capital
The Great Truth Statsd That Labor Cannot
Be DESTROYED Without Also Des.
troying All Hope Of an In.
crease OF Capitol
Associated Press Special Wire

CHICAGO, Sept 7.-Long before 2:3o.
the hour set for the arrival OF william
J. Bryan, Sharpshooters' park was filled
with laboring men. Outside unnumber-
ed thousands had gathered, waiting i'm
patiently to see the apostle of free sill
yer. Every tree within hearing of the
speakers stand was filled with those
seeking an unobstructed view. Bryan
left the Auditorium annex shortly be-
fore Q o'clock. Accompanying him IN
the carriage were Edward Carroll, pres
ident of the Building Trades council;
]. Ryan, chairman of the committee on
speakers, and ]. D. Mckinley, chairman
of the Carpenters District council. Be-
hind them came carriages containing
prominent leaders Of organized labor.
Bryan was cheered continuously as he
drove rapidly through the streets. AS
his carriage neared the park, the densely
packed crowds gathered there set up
roar that lasted ten minutes. Then with
q rush the gates were broken down.
The police were powerless to control the
crowd, and in a short time the park was
q dense mass Of crushed but still cheer
ing humanity. No one was seriously In
1ured in the jam, though one or two
women tainted.
On the stand with Bryan were Judge
William Prentiss, Judge Mcconnell and
leaders Of the labor unions. Bryan be-
gan at 2:35, choosing for his subject The
Dignity of Labor. Mr.. Bryan said:
Mr.Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
I desire to thank the Building and
Trades council for this opportunity
which they have extended me to speak
before the people assembled on Labor
day, Labor day has become a fixed
thing among our institutions, and it Is
we'll that it lAs, because on this day all
over this nation those who are engaged
in the production Of wealth meet In or
der that the may commune with each
other. discuss those questions in which
they are especially interested and en-
phasfze before the world that there is
nothing dishonorable in the fact that one
earns his bread in the sweat Of his face.
I am glad to stand this day in the pres
ence of those to whom this nation is so
largely indebted for all that it has had.
for all that 1t has now and for all that 1t
can hope to have. I am not indulging in
idle flattery when I say to you no part
Of the people of the world are so i'm
portant to the welfare of mankind as
those whose labor and brain convert
natural resources into material wealth.
(Applause) might quote you what Mr..
Carlise said of these people in 1873 He
described them as the struggling masses
who produce the wealth and pay the
taxes of the country. He did not praise
too highly; the struggling masses not
only produce the wealth and pay the
taxes of the country in time of peace,
but the struggling masses have ever
beenand mustever be the nations surest
protection in time of peril. (Applause
and a voice Good boy, Billie.") Let me
quote you what another American has
said in speaking of labor and capital.
Abraham Lincoln in a message to con-
gress used these words:
Monarchy itself is sometimes hinted
at as q possible refuge from the power
of the people. In my position could
scarcely be justified were I to omit to
raise a warning voice against this ap-
proach of returning despotism. 1t is not
needed nor fitting that general argu-
ment should be made in favor of public
institutions, but there is one point in
this connection not SO hackneyed as
most others to which ask brief atten-
ton. 1t is the effort to place capital on
an equal footing with, If not above, la
Dor, in the structure of the government
1t is assumed that labor is available
only in connection with capital, and that
nobody labors unless somebody else
commanding capital somehow by the
use of it, induces him to labor, and then
he adds: Labor is prior to and inde-
pendent of capital. Capital is only the
fruit of labor, and would never have ex-
listed if labor had not first existence.
(Applause.) Labor is the superior of
capital and deserves much higher con-
sideration."
"No man living" he continued, "are
more worthy to be trusted than those
who toll up from poverty, none less in
clined to take or touch aught which they
have not honestly earned. Let them be-
ware of surrendering the political pow
er which they already possess, and which
once surrendered will surely be used to
close the door Of advancement against
SUCH as they and to fix new tasks and
burdens upon them, until all liberty
shall be lost" (Applause)
These are the words of Abraham Lin
coin. They are not intended to arouse