The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-09-07

ascended the platform at to-n.shts meet
ing, and began to address the immense
multitude which had assembled to near
him.
SUCCESSFUL TOUR.
The tour IS regarded by Mr.. Bryan and
the West Virginia Democrats, who nave
been escorting him, as IN every way sue
cessful from political standpoint. lie had
made, all told, six set speeches ana a
number Of brief addresses, and mas had
uniformly large audiences. The Groves al
Clarksburg and Parkersburg were poth
most respectable in number, While To-
nights meeting was exceptionally large
AT the Parkersburg meeting ex-united
States Senator Camden presided. He sup
ported Palmer and Buckner four years
ago. To-day's meeting was held in the
CITY park, and the audience was one OF the
largest and most attentive that Mr.. Bryan
has had. The speech was devoted almost
exclusively to the question Of imperialism
While not holding that this was the only
issue, Mr. Bryan sad he did contend that
it was the question of paramount I'M
portance. This was true because this
question involved the fundamental prln-
ciples of our Government.
THE PHILIPPINES.
Discussing the title to the Philippine
Islands, Mr.. Bryan asked: 'sWho says the
Lord gave them to us?'
To this question voice in the crowd
responded: Mark Hanna"
This response ELECTED shout, and Mr..
Bryan replied: 'sWhile am not prepared
to deny that God does speak through the
human voice, do think that when he gets
ready to speak to the American people he
will choose some other mouthpiece than
Mark Hanna
He contended that under the Republican
scheme for the control of the Philippines
the people of those islands necessarily be-
come subjects, as they could not be citi-
zens under those plans, and there was no
place under Republican form of govern
ment for a subject.
He charged the Republican party with
lack of sympathy with the Beers which
was a new experience for that party. for
never before in its history had the party
failed to take a position in favor of a re-
public struggling for liberty. The secret
of the present attitude was, Mr.. Bryan
said, the fear that if this country should
take position favorable to the Beers.
the British Parliament might declare for
the Filipinos.
THE PEACE TREATY.
In this speech NZr. Bryan discussed more
fully than at any time before. the charge
that he had secured the ratification Of
the peace treaty with Spain.
On this question he said: My friends.
want to call your attention to one argu-
n1ent that the Republican party seems
more fond Of making han it does of max
ing any argument in defense of imperial
ism, The main argument that I have
been hearing lately in defense Of imperial
ism. is that I helped to ratify the treaty
Republicans give me too much credtt when
they say I secured the ratification of the
treaty. I have, not yet found single
Senator who has publicly declared that
he voted for the treaty because I wanted
that he voted for the treaty because the
President asked him to, and promised that
the Philippines should not be held perma-
nently if the treaty was ratified, SO that
if yo,. attempt to prove that am responsl-
bic for the treaty you cannot do it. but
YOU can prove by Senator Wellington that
the treaty would not have been ratliled
but for the promise of your President
ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY. So
..Rut i will say that If the Republican
party will not assume the responsibility s,l
for the ratification of the treaty, will do
it myself. (Great applause). 1 favored
the ratification of the trea ty. was not
seratoc and did not have a vote
st do not know that my voice changed
one single vote, but / am wiling TO WaiNe
all that, and I am willing to assume ti'e
responsibility for the ratification ot he
treaty, but, Republicans you must assume
the respe nsibiutv for making the treaty
and for everything that has .happe1efs l PEI, e
sinca that treaty was ratified. trsa. y
might have given independence5to 70 the ~. = I
ni1os. when it gave indaner1d enress5t TO .H file
cubans. I believe that it should have siSei' 1
independence to them when it -ave ' ;. IND inde7
pendence to the Cubans. and II. y Wi,ptla q Il
was was made through the action Of The Pres-
dent. the treaty had given lndenenaence
sto4 the F4lipinos as It gave indenendence
TO the cuhans, not one .lrop of.Anerisas1 -,
blood would have been shed IN the #Philip-
s,,sne Islands from that time to this. CAP
Eplause). .,,
You ask WIN IS resnonsI Ib1s tor shed
ding Of American blood in the q lipnina
Islands. and I say that that partYs is re-
sponssble for the shedding Of blood that
was responsible for a treaty that made
free ,.s men usl of Crhans ana tried to make
no ssaJs of TIE Fs4ipinos (Great Appl lanset)
.syVhan he treaty. me to the Senate It
had 'to he met Al, there were three things
+1,a+ msgf1 t have heer done. First the
IS 80 s7.r,I1iR ha raj ified SEcpnj1. ifSrnm1d