The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-04-14
WESTERN SIDE SHOW

F =. d - =
Has Two Important Exhibits-B-ynn
Insists on Chicago Platform and
Free silver-Mayor Harrison's Con.
tention.
MILWAUKEE,, Wis, April 13.-The
Jefferson Club Of Milwaukee observed
the natal day Of the founder of Demo-
cracy by a banquet at the PlankInton
House tonight, attended by over 400
guests. Colonel William ]. Bryan, OF
Nebraska, was the guest of honor and
delivered the principal address. Dele
cations Of Democrats were in attend
ance from many towns throughout the
state and nearly all the Democrats from
the state legislature were present
Colonel Bryan was escorted on an early
train from Chicago by a large delega-
tion from that city and Mayor Harrison
came later, also with large number OF
escorts. ~
The banquet hall was beautifully dec
grated with the national colors and
back OF the guests of honor above q
mantel was hung large portrait In oil
Of the third President.
Colonel Bryan spoke on Democracy"
He said in part:
1--WE are now near enough to the next
campaign to be able to form some idea
Of the lines along which the contest will
be fought, and I am taking no risk
when say that those who in 1896 gave
their allegiance to the Chicago plat
form are as united to-day in the deter
mination that no step taken in 1896
/ tnl 1,n rk-& IL.
piled to the conditions then existing,
the principles which had been Demo-
cratic from the beginning of the gov
ernment. Suggestions that we abandon
the money question sometimes come
from those who deserted the party in
1896, but those suggestions are not sup
ported by evidence tending to show that
the position In 1896 was wrong. but was
predicted upon the theory that the Is
sue upon which the party once lost can
never be-reviyed, and what seems SO
strange. this argument Is made by
those who have followed a different
course in the past.
The Money Question.
On the money question Mr.. Bryan
said:
While 1t is unnecessary to discuss
the question Of ratio until some other
ratio Is proposed It may not be out ..
place to suggest that sixteen to one,
being the ratio at which the present
gold and silver coin circulate. Is the
natural ratio at which the mints should
be opened. To Increase the ratio by in
creaslng the size OF the silver dollar
would necessltate the recoInage of our
present silver dollars into less num-
Der OF dollars and the increase OF the
ratio made throughout the world would
| result in large decrease In the volume
of standard money. and since the value
OF dollar depends on the number OF
dollars such change would necessarily
increase the purchasing power of a dol
lar and increase the burden OF debts
II would be equivalent to q transfer by
legislation OF Il vast amount Of wealth
from the producing classes to the
money owning classes.
THE Democratic party is prepared
to face the future and meet new issues
without abandoning the old. The Re-
publican party has demanded that the
standing army be increased to 100, ,0OC
men. II citizens born in the United
States are ignorant OF the burdens Of n
standing army, they can receive In
structons from those born in European
countries. Many Europeans who arc
now worthy citizens Of this great re-
public left their European homes be-
cause OF the burdens Imposed by the
enormous military establishments. a
| great army may be q good thing for the
| railroad companies which will carry
them from place to place for the large
contractors who will furnish food and
raiment for the soldiers. but 1t is dis
| tressing burden upon the plain people
| ndnaNtnt1v t,n
laboring men and farmers upon whom
an unfair share of the load has fallen
Mayor Hnrrison's Speech.
Mayor Harrison said in part: ut lies
IL the power of-the young Democracy
of the nation, II It will but set to work
| In the first trenches. to carry forward
the crusade OF purity in politics until
| corruption shall have been driven from
high places, until honesty shall control
In every department OF municipal. the
state and the national government.
Stalwart young Democracy need not
| look far for an incentive. The example
is set for 1t In the person Of our ma
| tional leader. Two years ago the party
made It's fight under 4 leader with prl-
vate life as stainless. with personal
character 80 blnmeless. that the people
followed him and follow him still with
such zeal as the crusaders displayed for
the paladins OF old.
"Ours is the party OF the people. Un-
less we serve the people honestly und
fairly we are faIthlesB TO our trust.
Duty requires us to strike the first
blow at corruption within our own
party ranks. Let the word 80 forth
the Democracy will not tolerate a man,
no matter how profuse his professed
devotion to the party creed, who does
not place his obligation to the public
above any and every personal consid-
Grafton. In 1900 bitter struggle awaits
us. The old fight must be made again,
a fight along the lines laid down in
the platform OF the last Democratic
convention for the rights OF the plain
people; Il fight against corruption md
| all It's awful menace to tho republic;
| n hight against the trusts that seek 10
mako OF this nation, founded upon the
theory of the absolute equality OF all
men, q serfdom submissive TO the
power md the arrogance of wealth; n
fiaht for everything that viii Mt the
people higher; n night ngninst every
thing that will restrain the public In
the onward march of Its triumphant
destiny. II wo remain true TO the the
ory and the practice OF what Democ-
rncy means and stand for, there Is no
need to doubt the successful Issues OF
the combat.E ~