The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-10-19
An OLD TIME CROWD.
Twenty Thousand People Hear Bryan
at Louisville.

at Louisville.
Louisville, KY, Oct 19.-Twenty
thousand people greeted William J.
Bryan and the candidates on the Demo-
cratic state ticket at Churchill Downs
yesterday afternoon, the occasion be-
ing the first demonstration by local
Democrats in the state campaign now
in progress The crowd was filed with
enthusiasm and satiated with barbe-
cued meat and burgoo. It fed upon
oratory by the state leaders, notably
ex-senator J. G. S. Blackburn and Will
lam Goebel and the champion of it's
cause in it's national politics, William
J. Bryan.
The barbecue was the feature Of the
third days program of the party, which
had been stumping Kentucky in the in
terest of the regular nominee. They
spent three hours at the Jockey club
grounds, all full of Speechmaking, and
then resumed their trip to CovingtOn,
Ky. After a meeting there the cam
paign in Ohio will be begun. A notable
part of the days program was played
by the Cook County marching club, of
Chicago, which 800 strong, came into
town at o'clock in the morning, and
to the music of five brass bands, cut
q sWath of unterrified Democracy
through the heart of Louisville, that
brought cheers from the thousands who
had gathered to greet them. Captain
FarrelpS doughty band had breakfast
at the NTSlL mouse. marching INTO Lne
race course and for the remainder of
the day devoted themselves to adding
noise and enthusiasm to the Democratic
celebration in progress there Today
they will take a trip through the blue
grass region, touching Frankfort, Lex
ington and Paris, jumping into the
midst of the Ohio campaign on Friday
at Cincinnati.
When Mr.. Bryan arrived at the race
track he was greeted with tremendous
applause. The crowd completely filled
the large grand stand, even to the bot
tom OF the steps, and several thousand
people were packed and damned to-
gether on the ground. The speaking
stand was Immediately in front of the
grand stand. 1t was a sea of humanity
that the speakers faced. The Chicago
Democrats were seated in the center
of the grand stand.
Mr.. Bryan urged his hearers to sup
port the regular nominees of the Demo-
cratic convention, saying the cOnven-
ton not only reaffirmed the declara-
lions of the Chicago platform, but de-
fined the attitude of the party on the
issues that have arisen since 1896 The
survival of these principles, he declared
to be of more Importance than the queS-
ton of candidates. He asserted that it
was not a question between Goebel and
another Democrat, but between Goebel
and the election of a, Republican COVER
nor and Republican state officials. He
recognized the right of any man to
bolt, bu- said he thought this very
poor way of remedying any wrong, fan
cied or real, that might have been done
by the Louisville convention. Mr.. Bryan
again attacked the Philippine policy of
the administration. He cited Mr.. Nc
Kinley's statement that the United
States would hold the archipelago and
quoted the president as saying:
4 confidently believe that congress
will provide for these people a govern
ment that will bring them blessings
and advance their material interests"
Change this sentence but slightly"
said Mr.. Bryan. Put parliament in
stead of congress and 'cOlonists' in
stead of people, and you have a dec
laration exactly in line with the policy
of King George when the American
patriots were in revolution
Again, put courts instead of con-
greSS and 'CubanS' instead of people
and you have the announcement of the
Spanish king in justification of his
campaign of subjugatiOn at the time
the United States interfered to free the
deSOlate island near our coast.
These things denote a departure
from the principles contained in the
declaration of independence. AS an
illustration of the demOralizing effect of
this Imperialism, let me cite a recent
manifestation of our foreign policy.
When Greece was struggling for free
dom Daniel Webster Numbered the ap-
prevail of the American nation. When
Cuba was devastated the American |
nation came to the rescue. Now, the
gallant Beers in South Africa are she'd |
ding their life's blood for the right of
men to govern themselves and this ma
ton stands with its hands tied, it's
throat gagged.
IF we appealed to England in behalf
of the Beers, she would reply, What's |
the matter with the FilipinOs?'
L want this nation to be at peace |
with the other nations of the world but
1 would rather have the gratitude of
the valiant Beers than the smiles of an
English aristocracy.''
Mr.. Bryan attributed to President
Mckinley a, statement that our posi-
ton in the Philippines was a. matter of
Divine direction. If he felt an impulse
to go into his pocket and give to the
destitute he might, he said, trace that
feeling to God. But if he felt inclined
to reach into another mans pocket and
rob him he would not charge that act |
against the Almighty.
Mr.. Bryan's speech was interrupted I