The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-10-18
BRYAN ON BOLTERS.
Lectures the Kentuckians on Their
Political Duties.

Stanford, KY, Oct. 18.-The second
day of William J. Bryan's Kentucky
campaigning trip was spent in the CEN
trail part Of the state under untaVor-
able weather conditions. The start was
made from Louisville at : O'CLOCK a
heavy rain storm prevailed and con-
tinued through the day. Frankfort, the
capital city, was reached at 8 o'clock
There was a large and demOnstrative
assembly at Mount Sterling, the meet
ing being held in the open court yard
While the rain came down in torrents.
| There were friendly crowds at YER
Sai1leS, Richmond, Winchester, Stan
ford and Junction City, where a stop
was made for the night. Ex-Governor
! McCreary and party boarded the spe-
cial at Winchester and accompanied
the train to Junction City. A number
of ladies were guests during a portion
of the day and were entertained by Mrs.
Bryan. Judge Morton introduced Mr..
Bryan at Lexington as the man who
'came with a message of warning and
advice to the Democracy of the state
and nation"
In the course of his reply Mr.. Bryan
said:
Il have no authority to give you ad-
vice. I have no desire to urge upon
you action that your conscience and
judgment do not justify. am nothing
but private citizen. I speak as a
private citizen, to private citizens. 1
have my opinion and my reasons for it,
You need not accept my opinion unless
the reasons which influence are sufH-
cient to satisfy you. I recognize that a
mans vote is his own that he ought to
| do with it what he thinks best. Prob
ably am more liberal in my views on
the subject of the right to bolt than
some are.
Il want to present another phase of
the boiling question and I trust that
the boilers will be as diligent in spread
ing my views upon the boilers RESPONSE
bilitieS as they were to spread my
views upon the citizens right to vote.
recognize the right of any man to
vote as he pleases, and 1 have never
yet condemned a man who made his
vote represent his conscious judgment,
no matter where that vote was placed.
If in this campaign, a Democrat be
1feVes that he can serve Democracy
best by voting for a Republican COVER
nor I want him to do it. I do not be-
Heve, however, that is the best way to
advance the principles of Democracy.
do not believe that in a great contest
like this you can afford to withdraw
your support from the Democratic
ticket.
Il would not deserve your confidence
if L stayed in Nebraska. and allowed
boiling Democrats to play on my name
II DOltlng Democrats want to vote for
Republicans, or for Democrat put up
in opposition to the regular nominee of
the party, let them do it, but let them
come out boldly and state their real
! object and not claim they are doing it
to save me. I know something of bolt
ers. There were some in 1896. Gaugh-
ter and applauSe). Only the boilers of
1896 said they bOlted because of prin-
ciple and bolt against a principle is
higher than a vote against a person. I
regard principle as infinitely more i'm
portant than a person.
What did the bOlter do in 1896? He
helped to elect the president and every
thing that the Republican president has
done, that bolter who helped to elect
him is responsible for.
1T has been suggested to me that
this boiling convention endorsed me for
the presidency. I appreciate the good
will and confidence thus expressed. but,
my friends, 7 would be unworthy of the
confidence expressed by those boiling
Democrats if I did not place the prin-
! ciple involved above a personal compli-
ment (great applause.) I have a right
! to believe that the Democrats in this
! state will vote in 1900 for any Demo-
| crat whom they please, that they will
| want a Democrat who is true to the
! principles in which they believe and
one who can advance the cause to
which they are welded If am that
man, 1 shall be entitled to a vote, but
1 would not deserve your confidence if
I would stay in Nebraska and aid the
boiling Democrats to elect a Republic
/ can governor in Kentucky. (Great ap-
| plause.) I am interested in the triumph
of these principles. I have talked for
! them since long before they were writ