Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-07-11

agemont from MI OlcfCHSOH - tnc
latter's home in Illinois Mr.. Steven
son was sitting directly behind Mr..
BRYAN while the candidate for presi-
dent was speaking. and the cheers of
the people ringing through the park
brought him to his feet to bow his ac-
kpowledgments. Only a few minutes
before MIR. Stevenson himself had
spoken and had received tumultu-
Gus welcome. The people of Nebras-
ka seem instinctively to like him.
They like his quiet reserve, his
thoughtful face, his composure and
perhaps, above all, his unbroken rec
ord as a democrat As he stood be-
side Mr.. BRYAN he was taller than the
Nebraskan. but he looked feeble by
comparison.
COmplimen To Former Republicans.
II feel almost as if / ought TO aDolo-
gize for not being able to call myself
a former Republican" said BRYAN.
amid laughter. Bryan then paid elo-
quent tribute to General Weaver
Charles A. Towne and Webster Davis.
former Republicans. saying that he
wondered how the Republican who is
not tied to his party by office could re-
fuse TO leave the party and cast his
lot with those who believe in the Dec
laration of Independence here and in
South Africa also"
TOSne's Outline of Campaign.
Mr. Towne delivered the most ex-
tended speech of the meeting, outlin-
ing the campaign arguments on which
the democratic party will fight the
campaign of 1900. He gave his first
attention to the monetary question,
that the issue had changed
in Importance since 1896, but insist
ing that it was still a live issue, that
the principles of bimetallism are as
true now as they were in 1896. Trusts
were denounced as an inherent part
of the republican administration, and
wealth, he said, had al
ready inaugurated a period of nation
al decay, and that to the reform
forces" of the country must the Peo-
pie look for relief. Continuing, Mr..
Towne said:
I'VE stand upon the threshold of
the campaign of 1900 wherein the al
lied reform forces of the country hope
and intend to restore the action of the
federal government TO the principles
of Washington and Jefferson-to re-
estab ablish by the spirit of 1896 the
doctrine of 1776-'No alliances or en-
abroad, and, at home,
equal rights for all, special privileges
to none.'
While we can thus see how nearly |
imminent the great money question
constantly is and must be until it is |
settled right, yet it is perfectly clear
10 me that il will not claim anything |
ike that relative prominence in the |
discussions of this campaign that it
held in 90.
If the citizens of this country at |
he forthcoming election shall ratify |
stretches of authority that have char
lcterized the conduct of this admins
-ration, then we shall not be in dan
ger of establishing an empire; en-
oire will have been already estab-
ished. We walked cross Porto Rico
on a carpet of flowers spread by the
confident enthusiasm of the inhabi-
ants, and we have compelled them to
walk upon thorns in return. We
nave formed a partnership with Eng
and, wherein we incur all the danger
and she reaps the benefits. We have
grown contemptuous of the constitu-
ion. We have rechristened slaughter
md named it civilization.
Bryan, " he said, "has remained the
lninjured target of the most un-
;rupulous criticism aud the Lndaunt-
ID leader of an unended contest;
whose belief in the people and faith
n God. whose ability. eloquence, sim
.eritv and courage have enshrined
lim in the hearts and intrenched him
n the confidence of millions Of his fell
ow countrymen."