The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-21
Four Thousand Shouting Free
Silver Democrats
Crowded Into the Chicago
Auditorium Last Night.
HALF THE COMMITTEE
We're Present and Harmony
Prevailed Throughout.
Bryan Says All Democrats Look
Alike to Him.

Chicago, July 21.-Four thousand peo-
pie crowded into the auditorium last
night to attend the political meeting
given under the auspices Of the chi
cago platform Democrats" It was from
first to last a silver meeting, an Altgeld
meeting, an antitrust and an anti
expansion meeting.
All Of the speakers save ex-governor
Stone of Missouri, who was III ana
talked for less than two minutes, de
clared in favor Of 16 to and against
the war in the Philippine Islands.
The speech Of Mr. Bryan evoked
great enthusiasm among his hearers,
especially when he declared that the
American government should pursue n
Luzon the same policy as was purSueu
in Cuba The Philippines, he said.
came into our hands by accident OF
war and being there they should nave
been treated on American principles
and not on those practiced by Euro
pean governments. The policy OF the
United States, he claimed, should have
been to create a republic IN the Pnlllp-
pines and to say to all the world,
f'hands off and let that republic live.
His audience was in sympathy win
his suggestions regarding the Pmllp-
pines and punctuated his speech Win
cheers
The meeting was largely made up of
the local adherents Of the Chicago plat
form and personal followers of ex-GoV-
eT-nOr Altgeld. The meeting therefore
partOok somewhat Of the nature OF
personal tribute to him. Many of the
speakers alluded to him in laudatory
terms and at every mention Of his name
the audience shouted approval.
Mr.. Altgeld did not occupy seat on
the platform, but throughout the meet
ing remained in the rear part or an
upper box and only made his appear
ance at the front of the box when the
demand of the audience to hear from
him became too loud for Chairman
Clarence s. barrow to subdue.
About one-half of the members Of the
national committee occupied seats on
the platform, the balance of them fail
ing to put in an appearance.
Chairman barrow made a short ad-
dress, defining the objects of the meet
ing and urging his hearers to stand
firmly by the principles enunctated in
the Chicago platform of 1896.
He introduced the first speaker, Judge
James p. Tarvin, Of Kentucky who
spoke as follows:
In your efforts to put into applica-
ton the principles of the Chicago plat
form, in the administration of this gov
eminent you viii find opposed to you
the political forces and agencies of the
great cities Of New York, of Chicago, OF
indianapolis, Of St. Louis, of Cincinnati,
and Of Louisville To those in control
of those cities, the patronage Of the
city departments is of more value than
the election of a congress and a prest-
dent, and they would bargain away
any principle on earth for the sake Of a
deputyship in a municipal Office. You
must look to the country and to the
small towns for the bulk of your sup
port, ard for the hope of your success.
But you can win, and you will win
The common people have the numbers.
You have hundreds of voters where or
gained wealth can buy or intimidate
one The weakness OF Mckinley1sm,
the cOwardice of Algerism can not stay
you; the brutality of Hannaism can not
crush you; the corruption of CrOkerism
can not Overwheln you; individual
thought, and individual freedom, the
subsection of party to principle, will
give TO you the government that Jeffer-
son dreamed of, that Jackson fought
for. that Lincoln prayed and died for,
and that Bryan lives and contends for.
You have to inspire and aid you the
words and examples of men than
whom the world holds none greater.
You have before you the courage, the
brains, the vigOr of Charles A. Towne,
of George Fred Williams, and of that
leader among men, William Jennings
Bryan. And here in Chicago. there
lives in your sight an example of cOur-
age, never surpassed, Of heroism. never
excelled, Of unselfishness and self-de-
NAL never eQualled, in the person of the
patriot, the scholar, the humanitarian
and best Of all, the American, John P.
Altgeld."
The mention of the name Of AltgeId
by Mr.. Tarvin, produced a great dem
onstration, men standing upon their
chairs and cheering wildly
The next speaker who was neatly in
PRODUCED, was James F. Brown of New
York, who said in part:
i am not here to make a speech, but
as chairman Of the Chicago platform
Democracy of New York desire to as
sure the Democrats of Chicago that the
Democratic masses Of the state of New
York are true to the Chicago platform
ana 10 william Jennings Bryan. We
also desire to warn each other of the
dangers that lie before US now and in
the next national convention Our ex-
hortation Is to be firm to be fearless to
be brave, to be outspoken and if you
are POI you will win"
Senator Tillman. of South Carolina
came next and was greeted with great
applause. He said:
THE last time I had the pleasure of