The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-09
OFFER is SPURNED.
Bryan Declines the Terms offered by
the Gold Democrats for Re-
Cancellation.

Chicago Jan. 9.-The third annual
banquet of the Andrew Jackson league
was held at the fremont House mere
and on this occasion, as on the two
former, William J. Bryan was the guest
of honor. Mayor Carter H. Harrison,
of Chicago. acted as presiding officer
and at the table with him and Mr..
BRYAN were Congressman Lentz, OF
Ohio, and Heinrfchsen, of Illinois; Mayor
Maybury of Detroit; Mayor Rose, OF
Milwaukee; Mayor Taggart, OF Indian
apolis: William F. Mcknight, of Grand
Rapids: Charles X I4add, of Kewanee,
Ill; Captain William P. Black and Ma
tional Committeeman Thomas Gahan'
of Illinois.
The exercises of the evening were
opened with a short address by Mayor
Harrison, and the address of Mr.. Bryan
closed the evening. He said in part:
BRYAN'S ADDRESS
1.-The Democracy of the nation is still
defending Jeffersonian principles with
Jacksonian courage, and has no thougnr
|. of departing from the principles enun-
ciated at Chicago in 1896. That platform
will live in history, and the hour of its
adoption will be remembered as the
hour when the money changers were
driven from the Democratic temple
There win be no turning back. The
platform will be added to, as new con-
sditions force new issues into the arena
of politics, but nothing will be sub
tracted from it. Events have vindi-
Gated every position taken by the plat
form. Arbitration was advocated in
that platform, and arbitration is
stronger today than it was in 1896
''Other platforms have been forgotten,
but that platform is fresh in the mem
-ory of friend and foe. because it was
clear and positive upon every public
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 priv
ate ends.
TT 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 con-
ditiOn that the party will drop the
money question, and confine the fight
to the trusts. The offer will not be &C
cepted. What confidence would the
people have in our sincerity if we should
declare against trusts in general, but
enter into a treaty of peace with the
greatest of all trusts-the money trust2
The gold Democrats had a chance to
crush out the trusts during Mr.. Cleve-
lands administration, but they did not
do it The gold Republicans are hay
ing their opportunity now, but they are
not improving it. The trusts will fall
when the gold standard is overthrow,
and not until then The gold standard
means falling prices, and falling prices
will create trusts more rapidly than
any gold standard party can destroy
them.
RATIO IS VITAL.
ratio. Why insist upon 16 to 1. they
ask? I reply ID because it is the best
ratio, and 90 because it's opponents
have no other ratio to offer No free
coinage law can be enacted until a
ratio is agreed upon, because the ratio
is a part of the law.
Suppose we had a majority in con-
gress favorable to bimetallism, but diff
fering as to the ratio. Some would IA
vor Is to l. some "a to l. some 80 to /,
and some even higher ratios; how could
we make progress under such condi-
tons? Affirmative relief is necessary,
and those who favor remedial Iegisla-
ton must secure a majority in both
house and senate for some definite pro-
position. The gold bugs understand
this: they know that an ambiguous
platform is equivalent to a gold stand
ard platform. Mr.. Cleveland was elect
ed in 1892 upon a platform which de-
clared for the use of gold and silver
the standard money of the country, and
for the coinage of both gold and silver
without discrimination against either
metal or charge for mintage, and yet
Mr.. Cleveland found no difficulty in
supporting the single gold standard. The
Democratic party will not return to the
days of uncertainty and evasion. When
the opponents of 16 to 1 agree upon an
other ratio it will be time enough to
compare the merits of the new ratio
with the merits of the old ratio. But
they will not be permitted to suspend
the party in midair out OF the reach of
16 to l and out of sight of anything
else. To surrender the ratio is to
cept the gold standard as final.
THE Chicago platform was good
when it was adopted; it grows better
with age It was strong in 1896; it is
stronger now
Mr. Bryan concluded by reiterating
his opposition to expansion
Weather Indications.
Cyhfeaeo Ian e-For Kansas. Partly