Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-11
Two Big Ratification Meetings
at Lincoln, Nebraska.
BRYAN AND OTHERS SPEAK
Tho Leaders Outline tho Work of tho Cam
paign- Bryan Innpresscs Upon His Hear
ers tho Responsibility of Each Indlvid-
ual Voter and the Importance that Ono
Vote May Have-Townc Speaks in the
EveninS-Brynn. Stephenson and Towno
All Rcccivo Great Ovation.


Lincoln, Neb., July 10.-The informal
opening CT the Democratic Presidential
campaign took place in Lincoln to-
day. In two ratification meetings, one
In the afternoon conducted by the Pom
uiists and Silver Republicans of Ne
braska and one this evening conducted
by the Democrats, William Jennings
Bryan, Charles a. Towne, General
James IL. Weaver and other leaders of
the parties. outlined the work of the
campaign in the interest of Bryan and
Stevenson. Probably thirteen thou
sand people, good proportion from
distant points in the State, listened 10
,he speeches and paid homage to the
leaders OF the parties TO which they
owed allegiance, nearly 5000 people
packing the auditorium In the after
noon, while ten thousand gathered In
tne capital grounds in the evening
MIR. Bryan and Mr.. Townc spoke at
both meetings. although it was their
intention to deliver addresses only at
the evening meeting. and their re-
marks. forccasting as they did the flu
sion OF the three parties on the Dem
ocratlc National ticket We're received
with unbounded enthusiasm. Mr. Stew
enson. who IS Mr.. Bryan's guest. was
somewhat indisposcd ana did not APP
pear at the afternoon meeting. He
81.
however. and received an ovation
THE AFTERNOON SPEAKERS.
In the afternoon meeting the speak
ers We're MIR. Bryan, Congressman
Shafroth, of Colorado: .'Cyclono"
Davis. OF Texas; former Assistant sec
rotary OF the Interior Webster Davis.
Charles a. Towne and General James
Is. Weaver. Nlr. Bryan spoke last and
only in response to repeated calls He
no f.tfr. ~
minSion introduced him as Mr. BRYAN
of North America.
Il feel almost as I ought to apollo
gize for not being able to call myself
q former Republican" said MI Bryan.
amid laughter. Mr.. Bryan then paid
eloquent tribute to General Weaver,
Charles a. Towne and Webster Davis,
former Republicans. saying that he
wondered low the Republican who is
not tied TO his party by office coald
refuse to leave the party and cast his
lot with those who believe in the De-
claration of Independence here and in
South Africa also"
THE CAMPAIGN BEGUN.
II simply want to say that the cam
palgn is begun so far as the tickets
and the platforms are concerned" Mr.
Bryan continued, and from now until
election day 1t will be the duty OF
every citizen TO take these issues be-
fore the country and weigh them. 1T
Will be the duty of every citizen to
see whore lis duty lies. This is the
privilege Of being an American citi-
zen. and there is Il responsibility COM
mcnsurate with the privilege If we
lived in land where n king thought
for us. we would feel no responsibility
for the action of that king. But we
live III n land where the citizen i'm
presses his own opinion upon the Gov
eminent, where the policy Of the Coy
eminent may be determined by the
vote of one citizen. And I want to
leave thought with those who are
to vote this fall.
VALUE OF EACH VOTE
want every citizen TO so vote as he
would if he knew that his vote would
determine this next election. Gap
plause) Remember what it means.
You vote in Nebraska and your vote
may determine the vote OF this State
on the presidential ticket and your
State may determine the result. CAP
plause)
when you get to the polls to vote,
remember that you are an American
citizen. Npp!ause) Remember that
your vote may determine this nations
position, and that this nation will, in
n large measure. determine the public
opinion of the world on the doctrine
people. Great Applause.) For l24
years this nation has held before the
world the light OF liberty For more
than a century it has been an example
to all the world. You tell me that we
can now be indifferent 10 what is go
ing on? You tell me that a man who
lifts his voice against the doctrine of
tmperialisiHis pleading the cause of the
Filipinos? I tell you he Is pleading
the cause of 100000 American citi-
zens: aye, he Is championinS the
rights of the struggling masses OF the
world who look to America for an ex-
ample. Great Applause) II every
Filipino were to die the world would
go on. but If this nation, the greatest
republic OF the worlds history puts
out it's light. If this republic turns
back to the doctrine which we loathed
century ana q quarter ago. then to
what nation OF the world can the peo-
pie look for hope and inspiration? SO
you ought TO be proud that you are an
q American citizen and are able to say
If the republic goes down. / am not 10
blame for ito downfall Great ap
plause.)
THE EVENING MEETING.
At the evening meeting Mr.. Bryan
and Mr.. Stevenson were given n ire
mendous greeting by the crowds Both
were cheered again and again as they
appeared on the platform. Mr. Towne
delivered the most extended speech of
the evening meeting. outlining the
campaign arguments on which the
Democratic party will fight the cam
ynSt Ion. Nf -,