New-York tribune., 1900-07-11
BRYAN CAMPAIGN OPENED
SPEECHES BY DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL
CANDIDATES AT LINCOLN.
BRYAN STEVENSON. TowNE WEAVER AND
OTHERS on THE ISSUES OF THE
, CONTEST AT THE POLLS

Lincoln Neb, July 10.-The informal opening
n the Democratic Presidential campaign took
-1ace in Lincoln to-day. In two ratification
meetings. one in the afternoon. conducted by
the Populists and Silver Republicans of Ne
braska. and one this evening, conducted by the
Democrats. William J. Bryan Charles A.
Tovne General James B. Weaver and other
leaders of the parties. outlined the work of the
campaign in the interest of Bryan and Steven
son Many thousand persons. good proportion
from distant points in the State listened to the
sneeches and paid homage to the leaders of the
rarties 20 which they allegiance. Nearly
three thousand persons packed the Auditorium
in the afternoon, while ten thousand gathered in
the Capitol grounds in the evening.
Nj Bryan and Mr.. Towne spoke at both meet
nrs although II their intention to deliver
addresses only at the evening meeting. and their
remarks. forecast.nE as they did the fusion of
the three parties on the Democratic National
ticket were received with enthusiasm. Mr..
Stevenson. who is AIr. Bryans guest, was some
ahat indisposed. and did not appear at the after
noon meeting. He was present in the evening,
however.
Al the afternoon meeting the speakers were
Mr.. Bryan, Congressman Shafroth. Of Colorado;
Cyclone" Davis. of Texas: Webster Davis,
Charles A. Towne and General James B. Weaver.
NJ. Bryan spoke last. and only in response to
man Edmiston introduced him as Mr.. Bryan, Of
North America"
BRYAN WELCOMES CONVERTS.
4 feel almost as If I ought to apologize for
not being able TO call myself a former Repub-
lican" said Mr. Bryan, amid laughter. Mr..
Bryan then paid tributes to General Weaver,
Charles A Towne and Webster Davis, former
Republicans, saying that he wondered how the
-;e1 n bNo
could refuse TO leave the party and cast his lot
with those who believe in the Declaration OF In
dependence here and in South Africa also.
simply want to say now that the campaign
is begun. so far as the tickets and the platforms
are concerned" Mr. Bryan continued:
And from now, until Election Day it will be o<e the
Tie country and weigh them. Il will be the duty
Of every citizen 10 see where his duty lies Inere
IS privilege in being an American cldzeh,, , anu anu
there is a responsibility commensurate Win the
5aas5 for i Us we we y6a NoGd N f no % %qespo25bty for
the action Of that king. But We i've IN land
ir a land where the citizen impresses his own
Of he Government may be determined by the vote
OF one citizen. And ] want 10 leave a thought
wiki those who are 10 vote this fali want every very
citizen to yole as be would vote if he knew thar
1s Eote YOU'D GeJernne 1nis ne%L eIee6iIn, @ n
Nebraska and your vote may Determine the vote
STATE may determine the result CApplausel -
When you 60 TO the polls TO vote remember tRat R
member that your vote may determine this Ma
.o..'s position. and that this Nation viii, in a
go--< OF the doctrine that Governments come up
dre. and twenty-four years this Nation has held
Jhan century il has been an example to all the
world You tell NE tnat we can now be Indifferent
lifts mis- voice against the doctrine Of imperialism
Is pleading the cause Of the Filipino?
1 tel you he is pleading the cause of seventy
42as a & f g 9G5 of t Se D5assss ne Is 6Pa oP the
world who iook 70 America FOR example; (Great
Mould 60 on, but this Nation. the greatest Republic
5 % ms ~ e % 5oSrrn oI{ rs uyhab hS We II oIaS tnlS
century ana a quarter ago, then 10 what nation
s1iTatjona 50 You ought 10 be proud that you are
an American citizen and are able TO say, IF the
Downfall" Great appIause)
TONNES CAMPAIGN ARGUMENTS.
A. the evening meeting B1r. Bryan and Mr..
Stevenson had a warm greeting by the crowds.
Both were cheered again and again they ap-
geared on the platform. Mr. Towne delivered
the most extended speech Of the evening meet
.ng outlining the campaign arguments on which
he Democratic party viii fight the campaign of
800 Mr. Towne gave his first attention TO the
monetary question, admitting that the issue had
changed in Importance since 1896. but insisting
,haI Il was still live issue; that the principles
Of bimetal-ism are as true now as they were in
1896. Trusts were denounced an inherent
part of the Republican Administration Accu-
nulated wealth. he said, had already begun
period Of National decay. and that TO the re
form forces" Of the country must the people look
i0r relief. Continuing, Nj. TOwne said:
We stand upon the threshold Of the campaign
d 1870 wherein the allied reform forces Of the
ccuntrE hope au' intend 10 restore the action
q the Federal Government TO the principles Of
Washington and JeffeTsOn-tO re-estaDsh by
ne spirit Of 1896 the doctrines Of lII6-the
Hlncipies Of Washington and Jefferson; no ali-
ahees or entangl lements abroad. and al home
equal rights Tor all special privileges to none.
Ile man Ah0 sees in the campaign OF 1870
bl-y an ordinary political contest has little
insight. That campaign was the beginning Of
life and death struggle between opposing
forces Cf a fundamental character, and between
which ia the very nature Of things there can
De no truce Of party until victory shall have
crowned the the other. 1t the first
real clash of arms between those who would
transform this Government from an oligarchy
q wealth and privilege and those who would ar
resi- our present progress in that direction and
lttface Our steps u The safety and glory Of the
ancient ways. The Republic is already in dan
ger IN the midst Of social questions of gravest
fnp-eEl0u. whose solution are requisite the
best intellect and loftiest patriotism of this
country the vigilance Of the peiple is retaxed
tF the occurrence Of a war whose noble incep-
u3n has disguised its consequences, until within
me -ire space Of two years we have travelled
further from our old Ideals than would even
possible accomplishment Of a century, If in
-eeq al all possible.
SHADOW OF EMPIRE.
already We are in the very shadow Of the
Ny friends If the citizens Of this country at
&c lorlhcoming election shall ratify and con
:, IA me HresumptuOUS stretches Of authority
aqministration. then we shall not be in danger
u establishing an empire the empire will have