Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-23
BRYAN TO POPULISTS
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CONTINUED from Second Page)

ton of the dollar. He Knows that the
much-vaunted prosperity, Of which he has
never had his share. is on the wane In
spite of the unusual and unnatural stimu-
lation which 1t has received during the last
three wears He knows that each month
of 1900 shows a larger number of failures
than the corresponding month OF 1899. and
that there is also marked tendency to-
ward a decrease in the output of the fac
tories He knows also that discoveries of
gold, famines abroad and war on three
continents have not been able to raise the
price of farm products as rapidly as trusts
and combinations have raised the price Of
the things which the farmer buys.
"Our opponents have tried to make 1t
appear that we are inconsistent When we
desire general rise in prices and yet OPP
pose an arbitrary rise in protected manu-
features or trust-made goods. There Is no
conflict whatever between these two propo-
sitions II general rise in prices occurs
because of a permanent increase in the
volume of money, all things adjust them
selves to the new level. and If the volume
of money then increases In proportion to
the demand for money, the price level re-
mains the same and business can be done
with fairness to all. If, however. the rise
Is arbitrary and only affects part of the
products of labor, those whose products do
not participate in the rise suffer because
the purchasing power of their income is
decreased. Ii a bad monetary system
drags down the price of the farmers pro-
ducts while monopolies raise the price Of
what he buys, he burns the candle at both
ends and must expect to suffer In COM
parison with those who belong to the
classes more favored by legislation.
No Need to Make Bad Worse.
'It Is sometimes urged by partisan popu-
lists that four years more Of republican
misrule would so aggravate economic con-
ditfons as to make reforms easier No one
can afford to aid in making matters worse
in the hope Of being able to make them bet
tow ri FOR IL, co ha
responsibilities which he may not be able
to remedy. No populist, however sanguine
believes 1t possible to elect President at
this time, but the populist party may be
able to determine whether a democrat or
republican can be elected. Mr. Chairman,
the populist convention. which your COM
mittee represents. thought 1t better to
share with the democrats in the honor or
securing some of the reforms desired by
your party than to bear the odium of re-
naming neutral in this great crisis or OF
giving open or secret aid to the republican
party. which opposes all the reforms for
which the populists contend.
Those who labor to improve the condi-
lions which surround their fellow men are
apt to become impa tient, but they must re-
member that 1t takes time to work out great
reforms. Let illustrate by calling your
attention to the slow growth Of public opin-
ion in support Of a proposition to which
there has been practically no open opposi-
ton. President Johnson in 1868 recommend
ed a constitutional amendment providing
for the election of United States senators
by direct vote of the people, but his rec
concentration met with no response. About
twelve years later General Weaver, then
member Of Congress, tried to secure the
passage Of a resolution submitting such
amendment but his efforts were futile. In
1892 the resolution recommended by Presi-
dent Johnson and urged by Representative
Weaver finally passed the House of Repre-
sentatives. but 1t has not yet reached a
vote in the Senate. and now, after eight
years more of public discussion, the propo-
sition for the first time received the indorse-
ment of the national convention of one of
the great parties.
IF the fusion forces win q victory this
fall we shall see this reform accomplished
before the next presidential election, and
with its accomplishment the people will
find 1t easier to secure any remedial legisla-
ton which they may desire. But how halt
ing has been the progress. Holland has
said:
Heaven is not gained by a single bound
We build the ladder by which rise
From the iowly earth to the vaulted skies,
And we mount to its summit round by round
Great Problems Solved Slowly.
"And so it is with great social and politi-
cal movements. ~
Great problems are solved slowly, but
struggling humanity marches on, step by
step. content If at each nightfal it can
pitch its tent on little higher ground.
Il have called attention to the issues
which brought the democrats and populists
together and which justifies the co-opera-
ton during the last four years. Let me
now invite your attention to questions
which would justify cooperation at this
time, even though we differed upon eco
nomic questions. 1t Is not our fault that
these new questions have been thrust into
the arena Of politics: 1t is not our fault
that the people have been called upon to
consider questions Of ever-increasing mag
nitude. In 1890 the tariff question was the
principal subject Of discussion and the
democratic led hat ba
were carrying burden of unjust and I'M
necessary taxes.
I'm 1892 the tariff question was still the
principal issue between tho democratic and
republican parties. although in the west
and south the money question was assum-
Ing greater and greater proportions and
the populfStS were contendnE that our mon
etary system was more responsible than
the tarin laws for the depression in agri-
culture and the distress existing among the
wage earners. In 1896 the whole question of
taxation became Of secondary Importance
because OF the increased holiness of those
who opposed the gold and silver coinage of
the constitution When the republicans de-
clared at st. Louis that the restoration Of
bimetallsm in this country although de-
s1rable. was impossible without aid Of the
leading commercial nation of the old world
the popullsts and silver republicans Joined
with the democrats in asserting the rights
and duty of the American people to shape
their financial system for themselves re-
gardiess or the action Of other nations. The
ie'ii"ie VI inc iepuDlcdT party TO secure IN
ternational bimetallism and its open es-
pousal OF the gold standard still keep the
money question in politics, but no economic
question can compare with question which
concerns the principle and structure Of gov
eminent Systems Of taxation can be
changed with less difficulty than financial
systems, and financial systems can be al
tered with less danger and less disturbance
to the country than the vital doctrine upon
which free government rests.
The Situation in 1861
I'm the early sixties, when we were EN-
gagged in a contest which was to determine
whether we should have one republic or
two. questions Of finance were lost sight
of. Silver was at a premium over gold,
end both gold and silver were at premium
over greenbacks and bank notes, but the
people could not afford to divide over the
money question in the presence of greater
issue. And so today we are engaged in a
controversy which VIII determine whether
we are to have a republican which the gov
eminent derives it's Just powers from the
consent OF the governed, or an empire in
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