Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-28
BRYAN ON imp Ell ALISM
The Nebraskan's Eloquent Ad-
dress.
10 Tells western Democrats, Mt a
Jackson Day Banque,, That tho
r"r'y I. Ready For tho Campaign
in 1900.

Democrats from many States, and
from every county and city of Illinois,
celebrated Jackson's Day with a ban
quet at the fremont House, Chicago,
January G. William j. Bryan, former
Governor Hogg. of Texas; Governor
Benton Mcmillan, of Tennessee, ana
other DEMOCRATS of national prom.
nence. addressed the 600 banoueters
and spoke of the future or the party of
Jefferson and Jackson Expansion,
trusts. the Philippine rebellion, and the
war in the Transvaal sRere most fire.
quently treated on. The utterances re.
garding the struggle in the Transvaal
were, without exception, pro-Boer and
they We're cheered and applauded by
the banQueters, who were enthusiastic
In the extreme. Trusts were denounced
as injurious to the interests of the com
mon people, and as threatening the
foundation of the republic.
Mayor Harrison, president of the
Wiliiam j. Bryan League. presided and
acted as toastmaster. Mr. Bryan was;
the last speaker Of the evening. He.
said, in part:
Tonight the members of the club
meet upon the eve of the campaign OF
19oo to announce to their party asso-
GATES throughout the nation that the
Democrats of the chief commercial CEN
ter or the great West are fully armored
1or the tight and only waiting the con-
ventlon's command. The year 1896
showed how the voters Of the party
can, Whenever necessary. overthrow re-
creant leaders and shape the party's
policy.
1.-The years which have elapsed since
1896 shows how the voters OF rtre Larrv.
when their conscience, their Judgment
and their determination are once
aroused, can resist the foes within and
the foes without, and keep the party
true to its high mission as the repre-
sentative of the struggling masses in
their never-ending contest with the
privileged classes. The plutocratic in
fluences which won the last national
campaign, and which have riotcd in
power ever since. have not been able
to force the surrender OF single plank
or line or syllable of the Chicago plat
form.
After a three years burial Of the
money question by our opponents they
have recently accentuated its import
ancc by presenting n currency bill
which would have condemned the Re
publican party to overwhelming defeat
If 1t had been proposed by the President
in his letter of acceptance.
1.-THE Currency bill fastens to the
financial systems of the old world and
subjects us to all the disturbances
which affect them while it places the
control of the volume of paper money
in the hands OF Il bank trust, which
, will be as merciless to the people of
this country as Wcyler was to the re-
concentrates. The fight for bimetal-
lism at the ratio of 16 to l has not been
lost. The increased production OF gold
has shown the advantage Of more
money and has answered the argument
so often made that the parity could not
be maintained because of the over-pro-
duction OF silver. The fight against
bank-note circulation will grow
stronger as the big banks swallow up
the little ones, and as the people learn
| that Il permanent national bank-note
circulation. secured as at present, ne
cessitates n permanent and increasing
national debt
| II have discussed the trust question
| In this city so recently that IL is only
necessary for me to say that the Demo-
cratic party will meet the issue with a
plain and positive remedy. The Repub-
lean party is unable to enact and en-
force efficient antitrust laws.
THE question OF imperialism will oc-
cupy a prominent place in the next
campaign IT fttErttur s mot "
| war in the Philippines ends in the near
future or continues until election. The
people must determine the policy to be
pursued in regard TO the Fiipinos That
| policy must contemplate the ultimate
independence OF the Filipinos or their
permanent retention under American
sovereignty. If the islands are 10 be
retained permanently the inhabitants
must be given the hope OF full citizen
/ ship. or they must be condemned to the
| lot OF subjects. Who desires 10 admit
| them to share and share alike with us
in the destiny OF this republic?
| I'VE cannot adopt n colonial policy
| without ignoring the doctrine of self
! government so long cherished in this
| country. and we cannot ignore this doc