The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1899-01-12
Speech at the Jackson bay Celebration,
Chicago.
JACKSONIAN DEMOCRACY.
Chicago Platform and Ffee Silver Endorsed
New Issues Defined.

Mr. Bryan, the guest of honor Of
the Jackson League, Chicago, at the
annual celebration on Saturday last
delivered the principal address.
Speaking Of the Chicago platform,
he said. ''Events lave indicated
every position taken by It, Arbitra-
tion was advocated and arbitration is
stronger today than 1t was in 1896.
Government by injunction was de-
nounced and the sentiment against 1t
is increasing. Trusts were denounced
rs menace to liberty and they are
more dangerous today than ever.
The platform warned the people of
the conspiracy to give the national
banks a monopoly of paper money
issue. Now every one knows that to
be fact. That platform advocated
free and independent free coinage at
16-1, and the cause Of silver 10
stronger to day than ever.
10 those who believe in equality
before the law the Chicago platform
is still an inspiration; it is a terror
only to those who seek to use the
government for personal and private
ends.
1t has been attacked at two points,
but the attacks will not harm It.
Some who opposed the platform in
1896 have promised to return TO the
party on condition that the party
will drop the money question and
con6ne the fight to the trusts. The
offer will not be accepted. What
confidence would the people have in
our sincerity if we should declare
against trusts in general but enter in
to treaty of peace with the greatest
of all trusts-the money trust?
The secoud point Of attack is the
ratio. Why insist uron 16 to /,
they ask? reply first, because it
is the best ratio, and second because
its opponents have no other ratio W
offer. No free coinage law can be-
enacted until ratio is agreed upon,
because the ratio is part of the law.
Affirmative relief is necessary and
those who favor remedial legislation
must secure a majority in both House
and Senate for some dednate prop.
osition. The Democratic party will
not return to the days of uncertainty
and evasion.
The Chicago platform was good
when it was adopted; it grows better
with age. 1t was strong in 1896; it
is stonger now.
ISSUES RAISED BY THE WAR.
r But enough of old issues; what of
e the new questions? Our party can
: not ignore the issues raised by the
e war. 1t must speak out against
s militarism now or forever hold its
# peace. A large standing army is
not only an expense to the people,
but it is menace to the Nation.
y The Democratic party stood for
lie the money of the Constitution in
+, 1896: 1T stands for the government
n of the Constitution now. 1t opposed
:, an English financial policy in 1896
i it opposes an English colonial policy
r. now. Those who in 1896 were in
h favor of turning the American peo-
n pie over to the greed of foreign
r, financiers and domestic trusts may
y now be willing to turn the Filippinos
Il over to the tender mercies of military
~ Governors and carpet-bag officials.
Those who in 1896 thought the
people of the United States too weak
may now think them strong enough
Il, to attend to the business of remote
and alien races; but those who in
1896 fought for independence fol-
the American people will not nov
withhold independence from thos,
,yho ,laeire IL elcawharo
AS TO SELF GOVERNMENT.
We are told that the Filipinos ar
not capable Of self government; ths
ger has familiar ring Only two yea,
eat M ago | heard the same argument mac
rei- against very respectable minors