The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-06-30
BRYAN's ADDRESS.
An Eloquent Exposition Of the Principles
of Free Government, Taxation, Mon
ey, Trusts, Imperialism. Dis.
cussod Before an Apprecia-
tive Audience.

Jennings Bryan yesterday we're not dis.
| appointed ia their high estimate OF he
man. TO see and hear him is only to
produce the stronger conviction ttaOAe
is a greater man in his personal qualities
OF head and heart, also a greater crater,
than a reading acquaintance has given.
His sincerity OF heart, his simplicity OF
logic aud his power Of diction make him
truly a great platform orator.
His audience was magnificent, for this
new country. and he held it charmed to
the end. He spoke one hour and forty.
five minutes. It's impossible to give a
synopsis even Of his address that will give
an adequate idea OF it's beauty ard
power. We can only point out the lines
of thought along which he talked.
He held that nj form Of government
must rest upon the intelligence OF our
people. The Chautauqua idea con-
tributed TO raising the standard OF this
Intelligence and therefore to be com.
mended, especially the liberaiity Of the
one which permitted the discussion OF
principles Of government. He did rot
claim i~nfalliblllty for himself aud all
must investigate with al honest purpose
il they would t.ud the truth. 1t the
principles be advocated we're overthrowu
because they were wrong aud the op-
posite brought blessing to his country
he would rejoice. He would lay down
as q starting point q fundamental prin-
cipleN admitted by Gil. Q principle that
would be more popular u year hence
than it is now, expressed 10 the Declare.
ton Of Independence, that "all men are
created equal" that wherever the citi-
zen touches the government. all should
stand equal before the law. % this
principle OF government he would build
every purpose OF law and every other
question OF government.
The first question TO arise under It was
that of taxation. As loUg a. there is
government there mUs: be taxation.
And all the people 10 the country should
contribute to the support OF the govern
ment IN proportion TO the benefits receiv-
ed. II law is o adj listed TO produce
his result, Their ore or the other party
is uujust!y deprived OF his earnings.
The stealing done by law Is infinitely
greater than ali that IL stolen contrary
to Jaw. II have been unable to detect
any difference between tie moral char
acter Ut the mau VINO steh.s according 20
law and the MORAL character OF the man
who steal contrary to law except that
the former is "a cowar aud the latter 4
brave man" You can tel a mar loves
his brother by what tie does. not by what
he says. Religion Ia practice is better
than religion in profes sion. The income
tax law was declared unconstitutional.
by those who would have TO pay a large
tax under it,
Until the stamp tax went into effect
with the present war, taxation has been
derived mainly through two chaunels-
evenue, on tobacco and liquor, and Gus
toms duties. The revenue tax 10 not
equal. The man with small income pays
as much tax on bis tobacco and liquor
as the man with q large income, because
the latter csnnot use more liquor or TO.
bscco than the former. And 30 also Of
import duties. An income tar therefore
is necessary as . step towards the
equalization Of taxation.
He could see how people were deceived
before the Wal broke out but cannot see
how they Gao be deceived now. The
stamp act was passed because the IN.
come tax vas declared unconstitutional.
The poor man has to furnish or pay for
the stamps on everything nearly, as on
sending u telegram for example. while
the corporation or rich man escapes tax
alton on his great income or profits, be-
cause the income tax was declared
unconstitutional. It ia man oppressed
and property exalted. We know now
what it is to have a government that lays
40 uOuOO uPOu q uAOtUeI . 0Ou 0uu pUto
him up before the enemy's guns and have
him shot down. but that same govern
ment cannot tax accumulated property.
II our government 10 bad, what are you
doing to make it better?
Mr.. Bryan then took up the money
question gong into y rapid review Of The
standards for 100 years back and Kidding
the gold standard theory with q logic and
sarcasm that was whitening. The peo-
pie got it without asking, had it q
years before any party dared endorse It
and only $4,000 gold democrats voted
for it at the last election. Both great
parties at the last conventions declared
for bimetallism and 100000 voters
voted for It. They only differed a. 10
the method Of obtaining it. President
Mckinley sent . commission to Europe
to obtain it. In ~ the London bankers
met and declared for the gold standard.
They controlled England, the latter con.
trolled Europe, and this controlled