The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-09
AT OMAHA
Is HOnOred by the Democracy
on Jackson Day.
David Overmyer Makes a Speech
Harmony Reigned.

sounded by the Democratic party for
the campaign of 1900. amid blaze of
lights, a forest of tropical verdure and
the glistening of cut glass and silver
at the Paxton hotel. Several hundred
guests sat down to feast arranged as
the ninth annual banquet of the Jack
sonian club of this city
Three separate functions were down
in the programme and each was a dis
tinct and gratifying success. The first
was an informal reception held at club
headquarters in the afternoon, at which
w. J. Bryan, Congressman Cormack, of
Tennessee; David Overmyel'. of Kan
sas; J. B. Weaver, of Iowa, and several
other Democratic lights were the
guests. Mr.. Bryan was the chief center
of attraction, and during the two hours
the reception lasted several hundred
Democrats paid their respects.
It was after 9 o'clock when adjourn
ment was had to the long tables, which
were fairly believing under the weight
of the delicacies provided for the inner
man, preparatory to the delectation Of
the mind by the greatest social and
oratorical treat ever prepared in this
city. At the head of the table sat Mr..
Gilbert NJ. Hitchcock, and a little dis
lance down was placed w. J. Bryan.
At the toastmaster's left was seated
David Overmyer of Kansas. Ex-Gov-
ernor Hogg failed to arrive.
Inc speech OIL InG evening was maze
by Mr.. Bryan, in response to the toast,
"Our Nation" AS the well known Lin
coin man arose to respond, he was
greeted with tumultuous applause, and
when he resumed his seat another ova-
ton was given him. He spoke in part
as follows:
Those who studied the money ques-
ton in 1896 fOresaw the danger threat
ened by the gold standard and pointed
out that its permanent establishment
would involve us in every financial dis
turbance lowering in Europe. But
thinkers We're for the most part blind
to the warning. What do we see now
Notwithstanding the increased produce
ton of gold few victories
alarmed the same bankers, and they
are now fearing panic unless England
is Immediately successful. Their hnan-
cial interest in England'S triumph is so
great that many of them have silenced
their sympathy for a struggling repub-
lie and are hoping for the extension OF
the authority of a queen.
IF such agitation results from a war
between England and a little republic,
breaks out between two gold standard
countries of the first class? Without
financial independence, this nation can
not be Independent either in its foreign
or its domestic policy, and yet the Re
publican party is even now preparing
Europe's golden chariot.
Those who studied the money ques-
ton in 1896 also fOresaw that the re-
tirement of the greenbacks was a part
of the gold standard plan. Many Re
publicans secuted at the idea and the
president avoided any mention of the
matter in his letter of acceptance. But
now the scheme is being unf0lded and
the fnanciers are to be empowered to
expand or contract the currency at their
vantage.
Those who studied the trust question
of 1896 fOresaW that an administration
placed in power by the aid of great
monopolies could not be relied upon to
destroy the trusts, but many who could
not be convinced by argument are now
being convinced by the growth and in
creased audacity of the private monop-
oIies.
And one who has read history or
understands human nature knows that
one race can not cross an ocean and
dominate another race without keeping
an army ever present to hold the con-
quered race in subsection, and yet the
Republican leaders thought or pretend
ed to think that an imperial policy
would be accepted by the FIlipinos with
delight.
"The decision of the nation on the
Philippine question will be an epoch
making decision. We stand at the
parting OA the ways anu IHuSl GuOOSe
| between the doctrine of republics and
the doctrine of empires. At this SUI
preme crisis in our nations history we
| may well recall the words of Lowell:
Once to every man and nation comes
the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth with falsehood, for
the good or evil side.
| Some great cause, Gods new Messiah
offering each the bloom or blight,
Parts the goats upon the left hand and
the sheep upon the right;
And the choice goes on forever 'twixt
that darkness and that light