The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-04-19
MIR. Bryan's Speech at
Jefferson Banquet

nunciation Of the trusts and monopoiles
But the Chicago platform will stand fol
, ail future: it covers all the great queS
tious now before the people for consld
Grafton. When the Chicago platform DC
nounced the gold standard, 1t was build
Cd upon the principles Of Jefferson tina
il is as wrong to steal by law as 1t Is t
steal by highwaymanship: the only diff
ference being that those who steal by In u
have not the courage Of the highway
man. If any one doubted our principles
in 1896 they cannot doubt them now,
When President Mckinley sent a none
tary commission abroad to seek for har-
monious action for bimetalliSm it was 4
virtual acknowledgment that this coun.
try could not prosper under the gold
standard. At Chicago, in 1896. we de-
cided that this country should declare in
favor Of free silver without waiting for
the other nations of the world. No one
can doubt but that we were right since
our monetary commission has been
spanked by England and sent home.
SYMPATHY WITH STRUGGLING
CUBANS.
1T is not strange that those who be-
lieyc III the principles Of jefferson sym
ratEiZc with those who are struggling
to establish a free government. If any
doubt ever existed as to the cruelty and
suffering in Cuba all doubt has been re-
moved by the testimony of our own citi-
zens who We're eye-WitncsSes. The facts
cannot be denied and justify the people
of the United States in demanding that
such warfare shall cease in Cuba. The
facts are SO evident that no European
government can deny our right to inter
vene without defending the cruelty
against which We protest.
"ProXimity defines duties and fixes
obligations. We might feel less interest
in the struggle Of the Cubans If we We're
farther removed from the scene, but we
are so near that we cannot ignore that
struggle. \ man may be Indifferent to
the erection of Il slaughter-house in an
other country, but he has II right to oh
jet to the erection of Il slaughter-house
near to his home.
The Cubans have earned their right
to be free. our right to recognize the
independence of the Cuban government
cal be defended upon the ground that
our interests are involved, as we'll as
upon the ground of humanity. Spanish
rule in Cuba has resulted in Il generation
of revolt, and Spain has shown herself
impotent to queD Instruction and re-
store order. We have a right to protest
against the continuance of such a gov
eminent so near our shores as to dis
turb our industrial and political life.
IF we are asked for Il specific griey-
ance, we can point to the destruction
of the Maine and the death of our sail
ors. If the Maine was destroyed by
the connivance of Spanish officials, it
was Il crime too great to be described
nv words If II yyoS InStpoy.l without
official connivancc,t then we cannot tole-
rate so near us the existence of a
government which is so careless as to
allow the destruction of Il friendly ship"
SECTIONALISM A THING OF THE
PAST.
4 am glad that recent events have
answered for the Democratic party tn.
assertion that it was Il party composed
for the most part of men who Were,
arrayed against the Union in the civil
War. AS we celebrate the birthday or
Thomas Jefferson Tonight we can re-
joicc that the civil war is a thing Of
the past, never to be resurrected. When
the President recently asked for an ap-
preparation from Congress there was
no opposition from the South or from
the West or from any other quarter. 1t
has been demonstrated that the gray is
as loyal as the blue. and all parties
know it now. 1t has so happened that
IN this great crisis that has confronted
the American people that the United
States has been represented at Il trying
post by Il man who served in the Con-
frderate army. He CALAMITY discharged
every duty that was intrusted to him.
and carried out his instructions and
upheld the American honor so we'll that
no man in the country. North or South.
would want to recall Fitzhugh Lee"
Mr.. Bryan was interrupted by loud
applause and calls of Lee Lee
THE war is over" continued Mr.. Bry-
an. and the Democratic party must be
recognized as a party of patriots. Our
opponents can no longer 90 back into
ancient history and to the civil war. but
must meet us on the issues of the day
and i'll times of peace. Having proven
its fidelity. the Democratic party may 90
forth III times of peace or war and chal-
lenge all to meet its contentious. whether
they be on common or diplomatic ques-
tons"