Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-08-31
REPLY TO BRYAN.
J. R. BURTON MAKES A MASTER.
LY ADDRESS.
Weaknesses Of Bryan's Position on
Expansion, Fusion and Finance
strikingly shown-Tributs to the
Twentieth.

MOnlItu cuunty, MlesouIi, uuiinS un0
Eighth district congressional cam
paign was held at California Satur'
day night. The meeting was ad-
dressed by ]. R. Burton. There was
an immense outpouring Of the citi-
zens. Mr.. Burton's address was a
pleasant contrast to the speech Of
Champ Clark, who harangued for
two hours in the afternoon and dis
gusted the most stalwart Democrats.
The magnetic Kansan held the vast
audience spell-bound for two hours.
He devoted much Of his time to an.
swering the arguments of Mr.. Bryan's
Upton speech, which he did COM
pletely, but stepped aside occasion.
ally to make the knuckles Of Champ
Clark burn. He gloried in the mag
nificence OF American civilization and
told Of its superiority over that of
the Orient, OF which Bryan and Clark
are the champions, He touched
briefly on the money question and
explained the philosophy Of panics. He
He proved plainly by history that we
never had dollars of equal value un-
til the time Of the Republican party.
But the portion Of his speech in
which his auditors were most highly
delighted and which brought wild ap.
plause was that in reference to our
acquisition Of the Philippines through
the fortunes of war and how the ad.
ministration intends to maintain our
dignity and keep the flag floating on
the highest pinnacle of honor.
Mr.. Burton spoke In part as fol-
fols:
THE INIQUITY OF FUSION.
II heard Mr.. Bryan yesterday for
two hours. He speaks for the Demo
cratic party. For however the more
intelligent Democrats may oppose
him, he and his friends control the
party machinery, are directing Its
policies and the party will again
nominate him next year for the presi-
dency. Hence, his words have more
significance than the speech Of an in
dividual occupying less conspicuous
place. He first pleaded for fusion
with the Populists.
"He comes fresh from the three state
conventions in Nebraska, namely, the
Democratic, Populist and Silver Re-
publican conventions, and told Of
their fusion lin the denomination Of
state officers. Then he told Of how
his party had joined with the Popu-
lists and elected Allen senator from
that state, and how he had recently
used his influence with Democrats
and the Democratic nominee for Con-
gress in the Sixth district .oi Nebras-
ka to induce the withdrawal Of that
nominee In behalf OF the man who
had been nominated by the Populists
Of that district. He mentioned few
things wherein he claimed that Pop
ulists and Democrats agree, such as
arbitration, government by injunc-
tion and an income tax, and failed to
note any difference between the par.
ties.
~ answer'that il Mr.. Bryan is right,
il the Democratic and Populist par
! ties agree, there is no need but for
one party to exist, unless the pur-
pose be to masquerade under two dii.
ferent names to catch votes. Indeed,
what else did Mr.. Bryan mean when
he said:
Let US travel together whenever
we can and separate only when we
have to-
''I do not know how the people Of
Missouri look at it, but as for myself
| believe that fusion is the most de-
grading and corrupting agency that
has ever entered politics in this coun-
try. Croker, who, by the way, is
the only hope Of the Democratic par
ty In the State Of New York, is, ai
every knows, a common thief. Ht
holds his place by corruption, oper
and notorious. Yet all the Croker,
and Tweeds that Tammany has pro
duced have not corrupted the publ,
conscience and polluted the franchise
thousandth part as much as iusior
has done. Fusion, while its real pur
noae Ia concealed Ia unadultereto.