The age-herald., 1900-12-27
John w. Kern of Indiana Causes
 OutburSt of Enthusiasm
TALKS OF THE RANK AND FILE
Says the, Democratic Party Will Toler- ate No Action Which Would Hu- initiate Bryan - Makes Fling
 at "Gratuitous Counsel"

Lincoln, Neb., December 26.-The annual banquet of the Jeffersonian Club of Lin- coln tonight at the Lincoln Hotel brought together nearly three hundred representa- tive men of the Democratic and Populist parties of Nebraska, together with num- Der of leaders from other states.
 The dinner gave MT. Bryan an opportun- ity to make his first appearance at gath ering since the election, and an enthusias- tic greeting was accorded him. Aside from the remarks of MT. Bryan the event of the evening was a speech by John W. Kern, defeated Democratic candidate for Gov ernor of Indiana, who aroused the ban queters to a high pitch of enthusiasm, not only by his laudations of Mir. Bryan, but by his criticism of those Democrats whom he accused of contributing to MT. Bryan's defeat. His denunciation of those Demo- crats who offered gratuitous counsel to Democracy, though he mentioned no names, was accepted as having reference to former President Cleveland.
 Bryan's Speech
 MT. Bryan then spoke as follows:
 'At this banquet, surrounded by neigh bors who have been my friends for ten years, I may be pardoned for saying a word of a personal nature. Five times you have voted for me for public office-twice for Congress, once for the United States Senate and twice for the Presidency-and no candidate ever received more loyal sup port than you have given
 Whether I ever shall be candidate for office again is question which must be determined by events. No one can speak with certainty of the future, for ones des- tiny is not known until his life's work is complete. I 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 holding of pub lie position should be an incident, and not the extreme goal, for the citizen. It should not be an end but the means for the &C., complishment of a purpose
 The Presidency seemed desirable be- cause it would have enabled me to give ef- fective aid to certain reforms which I be- ieve are necessary to the public welfare. but defeat-even second defeat-does not lessen my interest in this reform and time may prove that my work Is to advocate rather than to execute.
 The Commoner will give me an oppor- tunity to participate in public discussions, position VIII furnish as much intellectual enjoyment as could have found in the White House. and in addition thereto give me more time for home pleasures.
 'The principles for which we contended in the last campaign still live and we who believe in them must continue to fight for tEem. An election does not change prin- ciples; fs only determines what principles shall be, for the time being, applied.
 No Change of Faith
 'The believers in tariff reform did not abandon their fatiTh when the high tariff doctrine was endorsed al the polls; neither did the protectionlsts when their cause suffered loss. The advocates of the gold standard continued~ the fight for mono metalism for twenty-five years in spite of the platform declarations of all parties in favor of double standard. Shall we, who believe in bimetallism, lose courage be- cause our opponents have profted by an increased 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 combi- nations in restraint of trade; shall we give up the fight because monopoly has tri- umphed by stealth.
 Must we now advocate an imperial poli- cy because our opponents have won vic- tory by denying that they are imperiahsts? :? A colonial system involves surrender Of our theory of government and the people will understand as soon as the system Is put Into operation If we were to consult our immediate convenience and comfort we would never oppose wrong of any kind for all warfare involves temporary sacri- flee; but this is our government and 1t must be transmitted unimpaired to pos- terity. We have no choice. therefore but to stand steadfast come what may.
 ''If we are successful in diverting pres- ent tendencies and carrying the govern ment to Its old foundations we shall re- joice in the victory and profit by the re- forms secured. I am confident that we shall ultimately win but If the trend to- ward plutocracy cannot be checked 1t is still better that we should be defeated in e righteous undertaking than that we should join hands with those who are ig- noring the inaliehable rights of men"
 The Rank and File
 Mir. Kern responded to the toast, "The Rank and File" It was in part as follows:
 '.The Democracy of Hendrix was the De- mocnacy of the Kansas City convection. If living his voice would have ruD4 out in the last campaign in behalf of those prin- cjples always dear to his heart. But while the Democratic party is still the conserva- tive party as in the days of Hendrix, 1t is Rs ready now as then to strive to find com- mon ground upon which all Democrats who believe In constitutional government may stand on in coming conflicts; it is today holdig no barley with deserters. Its ears are closed against words of advice gratu-