Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-12-27
VIM. J. BRYAN
Makes First Public Appearance
Since the Election.
Undecided as to Whether Will Ever
Again Run for Office.
Will Be Content to Aid in Triumph Of Demo-
cratic Principles.

Lincoln, Neb. Dec. 26.-Thc annual
banquet of the jefferson Club of Lin
coin, tonight, at the Lincoln Hotel.
brought together nearly 300 represent
atives of the Democratic and Popuist
parties of Nebraska. together with a
number of leaders from other states
VIM. j. Bryan made his first appear
ancc at public gathering since the
election, and the greeting accorded
him was never more hearty and Spon-
taneous in his home city.
Aside from the remarks of Mr.. I3ry-
an, the event of the evening was the
speech of John w. Kern. defeated
Democratic candidate for governor Of
Indiana who aroused the banquctcrs
to a high pitch of enthusiasm. not only
by his laudation of Mr.. Bryan. but by
his outspoken criticism of these Dem
ocrats whom he accused of contribute
ing to his Bryan's) defeat.
His dcnunciation of Democrats who
offered .'gratuitous counsel to Dcmoc-
racy," though he mentioned no
names was accepted as a reference to
former President Cleveland.
II was after 10 o'clock when the din
ncr was finished and the speaking be-
gan. Mr.. Bryan, whose subject was
principles Live" said in part:
AT this banquet. surrounded by
ncichbors who have been my friends
for 10 years, | may be pardoncd for
saying a word of a personal nature.
Five times you have voted for me for
public ofiicc-tWice for Congress, once
for the United States Senate. and
twice for the Presidency. and no can
didatc ever received more loyal sup
port than you have given me.
Whether / shall ever be candidate
for Office again is a question which
which must be determined by events.
No one can speak with certainty of
the future. for ones destiny is not
known until his life's work is COM
plete. | shall be content if it is my lot
to aid in the triumph of the principles
while others enjoy the honors and bear
the responsibility Of Office.
The Commoncr will give me an OPP
portunity to participate in public dis
cussions. and | am sure that an edi-
torial pursuit will furnish as much in
tellectual enjoyment as | could have
found in the White House.
The principles for which We con
tended in the last campaign still live
and we who believe in them must con
tinue to fight for them
The believers in tariff reform did
not abandon their faith when the high
tariff doctrine was endorsed at the
polls. neither did protectionists when
their cause suffered loss. The alvo-
Gates Of the gold standard continued
the fight for recommendation for -
years in spite Of the platform declara-
tionS Of all parties in favor of a double
standard. Shall we who believe in hi
metalllism. lose courage because our
opponents have protited by an increaS-
ed volume of money. thus admitting
the economic principle for which we
have been contending?
The defenders of trusts did not lose
heart when all parties denounced com
binatiOnS in restraint of trade. Shall
We give up the fight because monopoly
has triumphed by stealth? Must we
now advocate an imperial policy be-
cause our opponents have won a vic
tory by denying that they are imperi-
alists? a colonial system involves Il
surrender Of our theory of govern
az ~ ''iib tA' I''l'it viii Sl'til't
this as soon as the system is put into
operation. If we We're to consult our
Immediate convenience and comfort we
would never oppose willing of any
kind. for all warfare involves a tenn
porary sacrifice, but this is our gov
eminent and must be transmitted un-
impaired to postcrity. We have no
choice, therefore, but to stand stead
fast. come what may.
If We are successful in diVerting
present tendencies and in carrying the
government to its old foundation we
shall rejoice in the victory and profit
ny the reforms secured. ] am confident
that We shall ultimately win. but if
the trend toward plutocracy cannot he
checked, it is still better that we
should Ic defeated in a righteous UNI
dertakinS than that we should join
bands with those who are ignoring the
inali"nahlc rights of men,"
john W. Kern of Indiana. spoke the
toast The Rank and File"
Mi. Bryan will leave. tomorrow, for
4 tour in Kansas ana Texas combined
with which will he a hunting trip on
the Gulf of Mexico near Galveston.
He Will return in time to speak at
tbmI l1- lam and ('bioaon U,n