Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-07-11
L|NCOLN'S GREAT DAY
Combined Hosts Rally at Me-
braska Stateman's
Home.
SUSTAIN THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET.
Bryan, Stevenson and ToWne
the Heroes Of the Oc-
casion.


Lincoln, July II The grand re-
lican and populist forces in support
of the ticket composed of Bryan and
Stevenson held in the home city OF
Bryan Yesterday afternoon and last
night proved one of the greatest po-
litical demonstrations ever held in
the state of Nebraska. Fifteen thou
sand people participated in the jubi-
blee and ratification. The Bryan con-
tinental guards and band were features.
1t was the formal opening of the dem
ocratic campaign. Two grand meet
ings were held. one in the afternoon
conducted by the populists and silver
repu blicans and the one at night con-
Quoted by the democrats.
William j. Bryan, Charles A.
Towne, Gen. James B. Weaver and
other leaders of the party outlined
the work of the campaign in the in
terest of Bryan and Stevenson. Mr..
Bryan and Mr.. Towne spoke at both
meetings, although it was their inten-
tion to deliver addresses only at the
evening meeting, and their remarks,
forecasting as they did the fusion of the
three parties on the democratic ma
tional ticket, were received with un-
bounded enthusiasm. Mr.. Stevenson,
who is Mr.. Bryan's guest, was some
what indisposed and did not appear
at the afternoon meeting. He was
present at the evening meeting new
ertheless.
When Mr. Bryan came forward to
speak one tremendous roar of well
come and admiration greeted him. 1t
was some time before he was able to
begin his address. " hen order was
restored he said:
Bryan's Patriotic Words.
Il am deeply grateful to the good
people of this city and state for their
very cordial approval of my nomina-
ton. Four years ago the state gave
me about $4,000 plurality. and on
three occasions since that time the
people of Nebraska declared their adj
herence to the political principles for
which | have been contending. | am
not vain enough to believe that their
support is meant as a personal COM
pliment. l accept it as an evidence
oftheir steadfast devotion to the prin-
ciples to which l have been welded.
We enter this campaign under condi-
tions far more favorable to success
than those which supported us in
1896 But whether we win this year
or not, the fight must be continued
until organized wealth ceases to con-
troll the affairs of the nation and it
again becomes a nation of the people.
/ do not care to enter at the present
time upon the discussion of the issues
presented by the platform adopted at
Kansas City. l can say, however,
that it is, in my judgment, :he great
est platform adopted in recent years
il not in the history of the county.
1t is q greater platform than the Chi
cago platform, for it indOrses the
principles set forth in that platform
and in addition thereto presents the
party's position on several new and
vital questions. There is no evasion
about~the platform. no ambiguity, no
idle dealing. 1t is as clear as the
tones of a bell-clear as the tones of
n liberty bell. 1t deals honestly with
the American people. Its candidates
are pledged to it's maintenance.
Mr.. Bryan closed his afternoon ad-
dress with q ringing invocation to
American citizenship TO stand true to
the great principles upon which the
republic is founded. The democratic
platform was greater this year than
four years ago, he said, because of
greater issues involved.
If every Filipino were to die" he
said, in concluding his afternoon ad-
dress, the world would go on, but if
this nation, the greatest republic in
he worlds history. puts out its light. |
If this repu bile turns its back on the
doctrines which we loved a century
and quarter ago, then to what
nation of the world can people
look for hope and inspiration.
SO you ought to be proud that
you are American citizens snd are
able to say, If the republic goes
down l am not to blame for its down
fall
These ringing words brought the
audience to its feet in q burst OF fer
vent cheering that indicated how
deeply the people had been moved.
EulogiZes Stevenson
In the evening, speaking from n
Or lliantly lighted stand to an i'm
nense throDg of men and women W no
Ill Ell every foot of the broad expanse
of park around the state capitol. Mr.
Bryan paid glowing tribute to Adlai
Ewing Stevenson. nominee for vice
president II was evident that Mr..
Bryan WAS not paving the gallant
iemo who is to share his fortunes
n the coming campaign perfuuctory
but the words came straight
from his heart. he remem bered four
yesrs sgo, when his own destioy was
not as bright as it appears today, ne
unexpected words Of encou--I