The broad ax., 1900-09-15
BRYAN'S SPEECH.
(Chicago letter.

Chicago letter.
Mr.. Bryan's speech OF acceptance is
without doubt the political event of
paramount Importance in the present
campaign. Mr.. Bryan received At the
hands OF the Democratic party the
nomination for the presidency. A par
tisan utterance upon this occasion
would have been pardoned. nay more,
was even expected by the country at
large. Tradition and precedent exist
to justify a candidate in such . course
He Of Canton-MRrk Hanna's man
who was recently notified OF q nomi-
nation. took occasion to plead for the
principles Of q party and in the cause
OF an administration. In multifarious
terms he told what we" had done.
and fairly rsvsled in the deeds Of "us."
The Republican party was defended
even apologized for. And VIM. Nc
Kinley accepted at the hands Of those
who bore the stamp Of the Republican
party, the nomination for the presi-
dency OF the United States. Mr.. Nc
Kinley's speech Of acceptance will 60
down In history as the statement Of q
party chief to his party followers. But
how different the tone and tenor Of
Mr.. Bryan's indianapolis address. Nc
Kinley spoke to q party-Bryan to a
nation; Mckinley plead the cause Of
an administration-Brya the cause
OF q people. Mckinley defended the
principles Of . party-Bryan spoke In
defense Of the principles that are at
the foundation Of free government:
Mckinley spoke as q candidate, but Mr..
Bryan spoke as an American citizen.
In the face OF existing circumstances
II Is fact OF peculiar significance that
Mr.. Bryan could reply to the notinca-
ton committee In q speech bearing
as little trace Of partisan politics as
the constitution Of the United States
or the Declaration Of Independence.
This does not indicate that Mr.. Bryan
Is not q good Democrat. but rather
that the Democratic party In contend
ing not 30 much for certain theories
Of administration In q free government
a. for free government itself. Hence
It 70 that. fighting for the very exist
ence Of the republic. the position OF
the patriotic citizen who stands for
free government and the position Of
the Democratic party became iden-
teal Mr.. Bryan was great enough to
this. Mr.. Bryan's speech was
enough on seeonnt OF the |
things he said. Mr.. MeKinley's Can
ton speech was chiefly remarkable On |
account Of the things he did not say.
The Canton speech abounds In vague
and promises. Il dos not
hold out 70. the Fiiipinos the faintsst
hope either Of independsnee On the
one hand or Of the freedom and rights
of American citizenship On the other.
The voter has only 70 read 90 much
" Mr.. MeKinley's speech - relates TO
his subject In order 70 ind this state
nent 70 be correct He win ind some
hing about giving the Fillpinos a.
much self-government - they are nt
or-as though the right Of people TO-
90 miles away 10 self-soysrnment vas
rot God-giyen right. but q right to
y granted by some authority in wash
ngton. But he win ind not the faint
ut whisper OF such . thing a. inds-
'endenee for people ovsr whom We
ave no authority except such q
pain somehow b supposed to have
lad right 70 give N. In Mr.. By
ms speech. hovsvef. the voter nag
Ind . pledge that II h q slsefsd he
VA convene congress- at the earliest