, 1900-10-10

There were some decorations in the
hall. There were some flags that look.
a little sick of their job. There were
some nice pictures of George Washing
ton, Thomas Jefferson. William J. Bry.
an and that staunch democrat who was
SO very popular with the democratic
party in his day-Abraham Lincoln.
But one picture was missing. Where
was the fine classic face of that
George Washington of the Philip
pines" the patriotic, the wise, the low
ing A~guinaldo?
Some Gloomy History.
Mr.. Towne got right to the heart of
his theme at the start. He said the
republic was in danger. He said we
were gradually getting into the same
old situation that had been witnessed
in the sad history of dead and gone
republics. There would soon be two
classes-the rich and the poor. To
save the country we must go back to
where we started.
That grand hero Bryan of Nebraska
represents the old republicanism and
the old democracy fused into one"
Most of the speech was devoted to
a discussion of the money question.
Inc magic name of bimetalism did not
arouse the audience. In fact it fell
cold and unwelcomed upon the heads
Of the people there. Occasionally there
was applause and a great deal of
laughter but these were aroused by
Mr.. Towne's sc%intillating wit. He is
very clever at thrust and parry and
knows how to give a plausible state
ment a humorous turn so hat he
tickles his hearers; and before they
have time to sober down and think he
has carried them into another With
cism. Thus he was able to make a
very pleasing address-indeed a very
pleasing address.
The Constitution.
The strife in the worlds civilization,
Mr.. Towne asserted, has always been
between the many and the few. Those
on one side r for and trust the peo-
pie, and those on the other do not
trust the people.
He reviewed the proposition that
from the early days Of the republic
there has always been a fear that the
few would wrest the constitution from
the many, and said hat Jefferson led
the first great triumphant revolt and
inaugurated something hat is now
giving to the people their own"
Criticising the republican leaders,
he declared that "a party is not i'm
mune from the weakness of the men
who compose it. Give any party con-
tinued control of the government and
it will become rotten and corrupt"
Even the populist party would be
corrupt II it e got into power, he
said, thereby showing hat he has
closely watched recent history in sew
eral western states.
Hot Shot.
The speaker read the republican
platforms Of 1892 and 1896 and 1900,
In the latter of which is the clause re-
newing allegiance to the gold stand.
ard.
Can We renew what never exist
ed?" asked Mr.. Towne. Can we af-
firm something which never had be-
ing? Can we say something a second
time which we said the first?
The diplomats who framed that plat.
form used the word renew to fool the
people. The average republican par
|tisan reads the platform thoughtlessly
and when he sees the word renew will
find it easier to vote the ticket, think
ing he has done it before. But as a
rule the average republican voter
knows mighty little of party or poll
cy. The leaders have done it all for
him."
Well, this vas a fair sample of his
speech, except that when he got down
to the question Of imperialism he drew
such beautiful, radiant, saint-like pic
lures of Bryan and Aguinaldo that two
women wept and a small boy said,
"Hully Gee!"