The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-17

Importance until in 1896 We had the fight
in the nation upon the same lines that
We had it in the State two years before,
and after two years of consideration the
people Of Nebraska had SO changed their
minds that We carried this State by 1900
majority. EGreat applause.l That was
the change that took place after a study
OF the subjects before the country.
''If we had had our way about it we
would have in this campaign at this time
the same questions We had in 1896, but
events have thrust into the arena OF poli-
tics new questions. The trust question.
which was considered some. has bscCme
more important because the Republican
party has stood sponsor by the cradle OF
mere trusts than came into existence in
all the years previous 20 1856. LApplause.l
1t is the fault of the Republican party
that the trust question is CT more import
ance now than 1t was four years ago. But
the Republican party has brought into
this campaign a question more important
than any question that merely involves
the system of taxation, the industrial sys-
TEN, or the financial system.
Basic Principles Attacked.
The Republican party attacks the fun
damental principles upon which our Gov
ernment rests, and when the Republican
free government 1t iniects into the cam
paign an issue of overshadowing import
ance. GGreat applause 1t is not our
fault that We have to take up new ques-
tions now that We did not discuss four
years ago or six years ago. or eight, or
ten years ago; tell them that they have
raised questions of such Importance that
they challenge attention and Democrats
stand ready to discuss every question that
is vital to the interest of the American
people. GGreat applause.1
mo one can tell what the future has in
store but We can reason, we can apply
the rules of everyday life; We know human
nature; and we know that il this nation
reaches point where 1t is willing 20 deny
the universal application Of the principles
set forth in the Declaration of lndepen-
ieuce, it will not be long until those prin-
ciples will not be applied in our own coun-
try, and / want to warn those who toll,
that whenever in this country we begin
to neglect the principles OF self govern
ment the poor will be the first to suffer. |
TApplause.l
Those who today say that the COLLAR OF |
trade is superior to the rights of the |
Filipiros will be saying in a few years |
that money is more important than man |
and that those only who have great |
wealth have sufficient at stake to have
Our contention is that our Government is
built upon the doctrine that all men are
created equal. Destroy that doctrine and |
there is no foundation upon which a free
government can be built. II all men are |
created equal If they are endowed with
inalisnablc rights, if governments are
instituted among men and derive their
Just powers from the consent of the gov
erned. theIs this nation has no more right
as nation to claim the ownership of
eight million Filipinos than one man has
a right TO claim the ownership of another
man [Great applause.1
"Tbe Republican party. which was not
willing that a black man should be sold
for 81 GOO. now claim that a Filipino can
be bought for $3.50 IGrsat applause.l
The principle is exactly the same. GGreat
applause.l
Let me renew. now, the expressions
Of my gratitude for the many kindnesses
that you have shown me The ambition
Of no man ought to be considered when
great questions are at stake. Whether /
desire to be President is not a question
which you ought to think of for a mo-
ment- The only question is who. in the
Presidential chair will best help in real
izing your idea of what the Government
should be. [Applause.l If the Republican
will in your judgment, do more
for this country than l can do for it, then
you ought to vote for him. II, in your
Judgment, l. as President will be able
10 do more for the country than my oppo-
lent, l am entitled to your vote [Great
ipplause-l 1t is a question each must de-
tide for himself. l cannot feel unkindly
toward those Republicans who think so
much of me they would keep me in Lin
coln all the time Ilaughterl, but / can feel
even more kindly of you who will give
ne leave of absence for four years and
ct me carry out your will at the Ma
ional Capital" IGreat applause and
.heeringl
An audience Of 5000 or 40O0 persons
gathered tonight at the State capitol
grounds. Vice Chairman Edmiston. OF the
oopullst National Committee, presided
,ver the meeting. Helen NJ Gouger and
J. r Sovereign addressed the audience
,Ticr to Mr.. Bryan. whose appearance on
he platform was the signal for prolonged
.heering. The Democratic candidate spoke
or about forty minutes.
His address was briefly an appeal to
to vote with the Democrats
n this campaign. He urged that it was a
uty Republicans owed themselves to dis
egard differences on economic questions !
nd instead consider the question Of i'm
erialism. which was forced into he cam
'aign by the Administration, and which
he people must meet and settle before I
ny other can claim consideration.