Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-09-07
MR., BRYAN,s SPEECH.

One of the largest crowds ever as
sembled in Concordia Park, st. Louis,
greeted William ]. Bryan yesterday af-
ternoon. Scores of silver enthusiasts
from the interior of Missouri and Hi
nois went to st. Louis to hear their
IDEAL. Mr.. Bryan said in part:
~ propose to submit certain PROPOSE
lions which are so automatic that they
cannot be controverted, although there
are many people who dispute them. In
the first place, as the production OF
wealth comes before it's distribution,
the prosperity of nation must be de-
rived primarily from its wealth-pro-
ducers.
mot only must any prosperity begin
with those who toll, but the nations
progress toward a higher civilization
must be measured by the progress
made by the producing classes. 1t is
the average progress, not the progress
of the few, that must always be con-
sidered.
"But it has been true in the past and
is true to-day, that the instrumental
ties of government are often employed
to give some people an advantage over
the rest. Those who are numerically
too weak or naturally too Indifferent to
secure remedy through the ballot,
are impotent to secure relief in any
other way.
"The masses, therefore, instead Of
trying to get their hands into other
peoples pockets, have sufficient reason
Tor rejoicing if they can succeed in
keeping other peoples hands out of
their pockets"
Touching upon labor and silver, Mr..
Bryan said:
Arbitration of differences between
large neutrality-suspicious. and en-
ployes-is one of the political reforms
most needed by wage earners. Until
arbitration is secured the strike is the
only weapon within the reach of labor,
and the strike not only entails loss
upon both sides, but for the time being
interferes with business and commerce.
"Laboring people have a special in
terest just now in securing relief from
what is aptly described as government
by Injunction. So indefensible is the
writ of Injunction when applied to the
settlement of labor troubles that the
Senate has already passed bill provid-
ing for trial by jury where the con-
tempt is not committed in the presence
of the court. This bill has as yet fail
ed to pass the House, but it is only a
question of time when government by
Injunction will be cured by legisla.
tion."
Mr.. Bryan concluded By reviewing
his conduct in the late campaign, say
ing: ...
I urged employees to exercise the right
given them under the Australian ballot,
even though in so doing they voted
contrary to the colors worn during the
campaign.
81 was accused of advising men to be
hypocrites. The advice gave and the
criticism which it met, raised an i'm
portant political questions Has an en-
ployer a political right to evade the
Australian ballot by forcing his em
ploye to announce his intention before
votingp And having forced him to an.
nounce his intentions, is that announce
ment made under duress, binding upon the
employe when he comes to vote? If it is
proper to thus force an expression from the
employe and then hold him, to that express
sion, the Australian bsllot becomes useless
form"
Last night Mr.. Bryan was given q recep.
ton at the Jefferson Club. At least 5000
people attended.