The age-herald., 1900-12-27
BRYAN SPEAKS OF
 HIS RECENT DEFEAT
First Public Appearance of the Great Democratic
 Leader Since the November Election

itously offered by alleged Democrats who vote the Republican ticket or by those in the great struggle of 1900 who withheld both vcta and voice from the cause of the people and could see in that mighty contest only a painful and distressing situation
 'sThere is no occasion for crimination ana recrimination as between Democrats, but there should always be generous and patri- otic rivalry as to who will render the most effective service in the work of building up the party organization and strengthening the party lines for the coming conflict
 He spoke in praise of Olney Hlll, COCK ran. John Dewitt Warner, Pattison, Mc- Clure, German, Watterson and other gold Democrats for their course in the late cam paign and their patriotic protests agalnst the advance of the hosts of imperialism, and continued:
 .sIt is in no spirit of bitterness, however, that add that there were few men once prominent in Democratic ranks, who, Tn the midst of all the stormy scenes of this mighty contest, remained unmoved and sl- lent, except that now and then they LOOK occasion to furnish aid and comfort to the enemy by making public denial that they were in sympathy with the cause or the people, or to express their regret that such painful and distressing issues were oetore the people. For the sake of the future wei fare of the party 1 shall attempt no harsn criticism of the course these gentlemen, but will not forbear saying here and every where that they need not be surprised 1T any gratitutious counsel which they may seek fo thrust upon the millions of loyal Demo- crats who fought the good fight and kept the faith, shall fall upon reluctant ears.'
 The speaker stated that the rank and file of the party in 1900 was the same rank and file that voted for bimetallism and tariff reform in 1884, 1888 and 1892
 Took Possession
 .It is the rank and ie," he continued, ''which tired of the domination of few mmen in 1896, literally took possession of the Democratic party and made it in every sense party of the people"
 q can," he said, Speak for the rank and file of Democracy everywhere. l want to say all men who are interesting them selves in party organization or reorganiza- tion, that any attempt in any quarter at any time which belittles the splendid and heroic services rendered by that magnih- cent leader, the grand tribune of the peo- pie, W. J. Bryan, in the campaigns or 1896 and 1900, or to cast stigma or reproach on him dn any degree, however slight will met with quick and stern rebuke from the millions of Democrats who followed ms banner in those memorable contests. While the rank and file of the great Democratic party has honored other leaders 1t loves w. J. Bryan and will tolerate no action which contemplates his humiliation or looks to his retirement from the field of active politics"
 The other speakers were William Morn ing, Lincoln; R. L. Metcalfe, Omaha; Gov. w. A. Poynter, Rev. T. w. c. Chesman, Ashland; Congressman A. c. Shallenbar- ger David Overmeyer, Kansas, and C. K. Ladd, Illinois.
 MT. Bryan leaves tomorrow for a tour of Kansas and Texas, combined with which will be hunting trip on the Gulf of Mexico near Galveston. He will return 10 Nebrska in time to speak at Omaha Janu- ary and at Chicago January 8.