The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-08
REPLY TO HENRY WATTERSON
ADDRESS by GOVERNOR-ELECT G. 8.
THOMAS, OF COLORADO,
Who Is Also i'm Favor of old Issues
tOcracy Feared by AItgeId.

CHICAGO, Jan. THE third annual ban
Quet of the Andrew jackson League was
held at the fremont House here tonight,
and on this occasion, as on the two former,
William j. Bryan was the guest of honor.
The banquet hall of the hotel was turned
into a sea of bunting caught up with fes-
icons of smilax. Life-size portraits of Jack
son and of the guest of the evening were
hung at opposite ends of the hall, these be-
ing the only portraits used in the decora-
tions. Mayor Carter II. Harrison, of Chi
cago, acted as presiding officer and at the
table with him and Mr.. Bryan were Con-
gressmen LentZ, of OHIO. and Hinrchsen,
of Illinois; Mayor Maybury of Detroit;
Mayor Rose, of Milwaukee; William T..
Mcknight, of Grand Rapids Charles X.
Ladd, of Kewanee, ILL.,; Capt. William T..
Elack and National Committeeman Thomas
Gahan. of Illinois.
The exercises of the evening were opened
with Il short address by Mayor Harrison,
who, before he resumed his seat introduced
as the first formal speaker of the evening
Congressman Hinrichsen, who spoke in re-
sponse to the toast, Party Fealty." Con-
gressman Lentz explained to his hearers
what Makes a President Great" Capt
William p Black, of Chicago followed re-
spending to the toast of THE Soldiery Of the
Republic" Then came the visiting mayors,
who made brief talks. William T. Me-
Knight, of Michigan, then spoke on '"The
Young Democracy" and the address of Mr..
Bryan closed the evening. 1t follows, in
part
The Democracy of the Nation is still de-
Tending Jcffersonian principles with jack
sonian courage and has no thought Of de-
parting from the principles enunciated 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 will be no turning back. The
platform will be added to as new conditions
force new issues into the arena of politics,
but nothing will be subtracted from it.
Events have vindicated every position taken
by the platform. Arbitration was advocated
in that platform and arbitration is stronger
to-day than it was in 1896.
THAT platform denounced government ny
injunction and the sentiment against gov
ernment by INDUCTION is increasing That
platform denounced the trusts and declared
them to be a menace; that menace is great
er to-day than ever before. That platform
warned the people that a conspiracy was on
monopoly of the issue and supply of paper
money; that conspiracy is now known TO
everyone. That platform denounced inter-
national bimetalism as a deluson and
snare and its condemnation has been justi-
fled. That platform pointed to independent
free coinage as the only means of restoring
the double Standard who doubts it now?
That platform named 16 to l as the proper
ratio and that ratio stands to-day the
only ratio at which bimetallism is possible.
"Other platforms have been forgotten, bat
that platform is fresh in the memory OF
friend and foe because it was clear and
positive upon every public question. To
those who believe in 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 private
ends. 1t has been attacked at two points,
but the attacks will not harm it.
PLEA FOR OLD ISSUES.
''Some who opposed the platform in 1876
have promised to return to the party on con-
dition that the party will drop the money
question and confne the fight to the trusts.
The offer will not be accepted. What con-
fdence would the people have in our sin
cerity if we should declare against trusts
in general, but enter into treaty Of peace
with the greatest of all trusts-the money
trusts. IN such a fight the trust magnates
fight upon the trusts the Republicans would
adopt as strong antitrust plank we be-
cause no party would dare to defend the
trusts. In such fight the trust magnates
would be found supporting both parties and
contributing literally to both campaign
funds, provided the trusts were guaranteed
the privilege of naming the attorney gem
eral and the judges. The trusts opposed the
Democratic party in 1896 because the Chica-
go convention took the party out of the
hands of the Wall-street crowd and adopted
a platform which precipitated the plutocracy
which the party had held in solution for
several years.
''The gold Democrats had a chance 70
crush out the trusts during Mr.. Cleveland's
administration but they did not do IL. The
gold Republicans are having tEeir oppor-
tlnlty now. but they are not improving IT,
The trusts will fall when the gold standard
is overthrown, 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.
'-The second point of attack IS the ratio.
why insist upon 16 to /. they ask. I reply,
first, because 1t is the best ratio. and, sec
ond. because it's opponents have no other
ratio to offer. No free-coinage law can be
enacted Until a ratio is agreed gpoa. eseause
the ratio is a part Of the law. Suppose We
had a majority in Congress favorable to BIZ
metallisIn. but differing as 70 the ratio.
Some would favor l6 to ]. some - !. some
81 TO ]. and some even higher ratios; but
how could we make progress undar such
conditions? Affirmative relief Is necessary
and those who favor remedial legislation