The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-27
Col. Bryan's First Public APP
pearanee Since Election
is Made at a JeffersOnian Club
Banquet.
OYERMYER WAS THERE
Made an Address on the Subject
of Reorganization.
Kern, Of Indiana, Takes Shot
at Cleveland.

Lincoln. Neb.. Dec. 27-The annual ban
quet of the Jeffersonfan club of Lincoln,
held at the Lincoln hotel, brought together
nearly 800 representative men OF the Oeni-
ocratic and Populist parties of Nebraska,
together with a number of leaders from
other states.
The dinner AFFORDED an opportunity to
w j. Bryan to make his first appearance
at a public gathering since the election,
and the greeting accorded him was never
surpassed in point of heartiness in his
home city. His address received the
closest attention and the applause was
frequent.
Aside from the ovation to Mr.. Bryan
and his speech, the event of the evening
was the speech of John W. Kern, de-
feated Democratic candidate for governor
OF Indiana who aroused the banQueters
BY his Iaudations of Mr.. Bryan, but by
the outspoken criticism OF those Demo
Mr.. Bryau's defeat His denunciations of
those Democrats who offered gratultous
toned no names was accepted by the
crowd as a reference 10 former President
It was after 10 o'clock when the dinner
vas finished ana the speaking oeg :451,o,-
-'At this banquet. surrounded by neigh
years. may be pardoned for saying a
word of a personal nature. Five times
States senate ana twice for the presidency
and no candidate ever received more
loyal support than you have given
Whether shall ever be a candidate
be 9 deter By events sats No on one can
speak with certainty of the future, for
work is complete. 1 shall be content if
il is my lot to aid in the triumph Of the
and bear the responsibility Of Office.
The holding Of public positions should
the citizen It-should not be an end, but
the means for the accomplishment of a
The presidency seemed desirable, be-
cause II would have enabled me to give
DelleNe 70 De necessary TO the pupnc Wei
fare. but defeat-even second defeat-does
time may prove that my work is to ad-
vocate rather than TO execute.
he Commoner viii give me am oppor-
tuuity to participate in public discussions
and I am sure that an editorial position
viii furnish as much Intellectual enjoy
ment 1 could have found in the White
house. and. in addition thereto. give me
.sThe principles Tor which we commended
IN the last campaign stilf live. and we.
fight for them. An election does not
change principles 1t only determines
what principles shall be for the time being
The believers in tariff reform did not
abandon their faith vixen the high tariff
doctrine was Endorsed at the polls: neither
did protecuonists whea their cause suf-
standard continued to fight for monomet-
allism for twenty-five years in spite of the
vor Of a double stanaard. Shall we "a VINO no
believe IN birIletallisrn lose courage be
increased volume OF rnoney-thus admit
ting the economic principle for which we
The defenders Of trusts did not lose
heart when ali parties denounced combi-
give up the fight because monopoly has
trigmphed by stealth2
Must we now advocate an imperial
policy because our opponents have won
a victory by denying that they are i'm
perialists2 A colonial system involves
a surrender of our theory of government
and the people viii understand this as
soon as the system is put in operation
II we were 10 consult our immediate
convenience and comfort we would
never oppose wrong of any kind, for all
Welfare involves a. temporary sacrifice I
but this is our government and must
be transmitted unimpaired to posterity |
who have no choice, therefore but to /
stand steadfast, come what may
II We are successful in reversing
present tendencies and in carrying the /
government to its old foundations we |
shall rejoice in the victory and profit by !
the REFORMS secured. I am confident |
that we shall ultimately win but If the |
trend toward plutOcracy cannot be /
checked, IL is still better that we should |
be defeated in a righteous undertaking /
than that we should join hands with |
those who are ignoring the inalienable |
rights of man"
John ". Kern, of Indiana, spoke to /
the toast The Rank and File" He said /
in part:
The Democracy of Hendricks was /
the Democracy of the Kansas City con- |
Vent1on- If living his voice would have !
Tung out in the last campaign in be- 1
half of those principles always dear to I
mis- heart But while the Democratic |
party is still the conservative party. as I
IL was in the days of Hendricks. and is I
as ready now as then to strive to ind /
common ground. upon which all Demo- /
Gratis who believe in constitutional gov |
eminent may stand in coming conflicts.
Il Is today holding no parley gratuitous- /
~ offered by alleged Democrats who /
vote the Republican ticket or by those /
n the great struggle of 1900 who with /
nelo both vote and voice from the cause /
OF the people, and could see in that /
mighty contest only a painful and dis I
1ressing situation
There IS no occasion for elimination 1
ana denomination, as between Demo- /
Gratis, but there should always be gen /
erous and patriotic rivalry as to who /
viii render the most effective service in /
the work of building up the party or /