The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-24
BRYAN REACHES HOME
Is rendered a Reception by the
Woman's Bimetallic League

Lincoln, Neb. Dec. 24.-Colonel w. J.
Bryan returned to Lincoln this after
noon and was tonight rendered a recep-
ton at the oliver theater by the Wo-
mans Bimetallic league. The house
was crowded and Colonel Bryan
duced by Governor HOlcOmb, who form
ally welcomed him home and compH-
mented him for his patriotism in en-
listing in the army.
After thanking his neighbors for their
cordial welcome and cOmplimenting the
members of his regiment and Colonel
Viefquin, in whose charge he left them,
he justified his resignation as follows:
Il had five months of peace in the
army and resigned in order to take
part in a fight. I am as much interest
ed in the people of the United States
as I am in the people of Cuba and I'M
less I am mistaken in judging, we are
called upon to meet more important
problems in the United States just now
than will confront our army in Cuba.
Some of these problems were under
discussion before hostiIities began;
others have been thrust upon as
result of the war. Let me improve
this, my first opportunity, to assure you
that my zeal for the reforms advocated
a few months ago has not in the least
abated. Vital questions can not be
killed or be buried for we were dealing
with vital questions when the call to
arms resounded through the land.
1.-The American people have not ac-
has wrought more injustice in our cOun-
try during the last twenty-five years
than Spain has wrought in all her
colonies, and opposition to it will grow
until the gold and silver coinage of the
constitution is fully restored. The
trusts which now flourish in defiance Of
law are more merciIess than WeyIer
was, and the new truSt-the paper
money trust which is seeking to obtain
control of all the paper money of the
nations a greater menace to the coun-
try's welfare than any foreign foe.
There are, however, two new ques-
lions which demand immediate atten-
ton, because congress is asked to act
upon them at once. The president re-
permanently increased to one hundred
thousand men. This question must be
met now or not at ALL
Taking up the subject of imperialism,
Mr.. Bryan said that the president has
misinterpreted the sentiment of the peO-
pie. They are opposed to giving the
Philippine islands back to Spain, but
they have not as yet declared in favor
of embarking upon colonial policy So
great a change, he said, could not be
undertaken without more investigation
and elaboration than the people had
given yet to the subject. The principal
part of Mr.. Bryan's speech was devoted
to the Philippine question. In this con-
nection he referred to President Nc
Kinley's inquiry, Who will haul down
the flag?" and replied:
1.-The flag is a national emblem and is
Obedient to he national will. It is
made for the people, not the people for
the flag. When the American people
want the flag raised they raise it; when
they want it hauled down they haul it
down. The flag was raised upon
Canadian soil during the war of 1872
and it was hauled down when peace
was restored. The flag was planted up
on Chapultepec during the war with
Mexico, and it was hauled down when
the war was over. The morning papers
announce that General Lee ordered the
flag hauled down in Cuba yesterday,
because it was raised too soon. The flag
will be raised in Cuba again on the first
of January, but the president declares
in his message that it will be hauled
down as soon as a stable government
is established. Who will deny to the
people the right to haul the flag down
in the Philippines, if they so desire,
when a stable government is eSta blish-
ed there?
''Our flag stands for an indissoluble
union of indestructible states. Every
state is represented by a star, and every
territory sees in the constitution star
of hope that will some day takes its
in the flag to awaken the zeal or reflect
are too good to cast away, but not big
of states?
shall we keep the Philippines and
amend our flag? Shall we add new
star, the blood star-MarS-to indicate