The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-07-11
OPENED IN LINCOLN.
DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN WAS IN
FORMALLY BEGUN.
$4,000 HEARD THE SPEECHES.
BRYAN's WORDS WON HIM TIRE
MENDOUs APPLAUSE.

RESPONSIBILITIES of Citizenship.
Lincoln, Neb., July 1o.-The informal
opening of the Democratic presidential
campaign took place in Lincoln to-day. In
two ratification meetings, one in the after
noon, conducted by the Populists and Sill
YER Republicans of Nebraska, and one
this evening conducted by the Democrats,
William Jennings Bryan. Charles A.
Towne, Gen. James B. Weaver and other
leaders of the parties, outlined the work
of the campaign in the interest of Bryan
and Stevenson.
Probably 1900 people, a good proportion
from distant points in the state. listened
to the speeches, and paid homage to the
leaders of the parties to which they
cwed allegiance, nearly 5000 people pack
ing the auditorium in the afternoon,
while 10000 gathered in the capitol
grounds in the evening. Mr.. Bryan and
MIR. Towne spoke at both meetings, al
though it was their intention to deliver
addresses only al the evening meeting,
and their remarks, forecastng as they
did the fusion of the three parties on the
with unbounded enthusiasm
Mr.. Stevenson, who is Mr.. Bryan's
guest, was somewhat indisposed and did
not appear at the afternoon meeting. He
was present at the evening meeting, how
ever. and received an ovation
The Afternoon Meeting.
At the afternoon meeting the speakers
were Mr.. Bryan, Congressman Shafroth,
of Colorado, Cyclone" Davis of Texas,
eXAssistant Secretary of the Interior
Webster Davis Charles A. Towne and
Gen. James B. Weaver. Mr.. Bryan spoke
last. and only in response to repeated
calls. He was wildly cheered as Chair
man Edniston introduced him as Mr..
Bryan of North America"
Il feel almost as if I ought TO apologize
for not being able TO call myself a former
Republican, said Mr.. Bryan. amid laugh
ter.
Mr.. Bryan then paid eloquent tribute to
Gen Weaver, Charles A. Towne and
Webster Davis, former Republicans, say
ing that he wondered how the Republ-
can who is not tied to his party by office
could refuse to leave the party and cast
his lot with those who believe in the
Declaration of Independence here and In
South Africa also"
IT simply want to say now that the
campaign is begun far as the tickets
and the platforms are concerned" Mr.
Bryan continued. "and from now until
election day il will be the duty of every
citizen to take these issues before the
country and weigh them 1t will be the
duty OF every citizen to see where lis
duty lies. There Is u privilege in being
an American citizen, and there is re-
sponsibility commensurate with the priYi-
lege. If we lived in a land where king
thought for us, we would feel no respon-
sibility for the action of that king. but
we live in land where the citizen i'm
presses his own opinion upon the govern
ment, where the policy of the government
may be determined by the vote of one Cit
izen.
And want to leave a thought with
those who are to vote this fail. I want
every citizen to so vote as he would vote
if he knew that his vote would determine
this next election. (Applause) Remember
what it means. You vote in Nebraska,
and your vote may determine the Vote OF
this state On the presidential ticket ana
your sta.e may determine the result. CAP.
plause)
The Greatest Republic.
when you get to the polls to vote, re-
member that you are an American cit zen
(Applause) Remember that your vote may
this naticn will, in large measure, de-
termine the public opinion of the world
on the doctrine Il at governments come uD
from the people. Great applaUse) For 12l
years this nation has held before the
world the light of liberty. For more than
a century It has been an example to all
the world You tell me that we can now
be Indifferent to what is going on? You
tell me that man who lifts his voice
ha nf oil ic
pleading the cause of the Filipino? tell
you he is pleading the cause OF 10000 coo
American citizens; aye he is champion
ing he rights of the struggling masses
Of he world who lock to America for ex-
ample. (Great applause)
"If every Filipino were to die the world
would go on but if this nation the great
est republic of the worlds history, puts
out its light, if this republic turns back
to the doctrine which we loathed a cen
tury and a quarter ago, then to what ra-
ton OF the world can the people look for
hope and inspiration? SO you ought to be
proud that you are an American citizen
and are able to say IF the republic goes
down am not to blame for its downfall.
(Great applause)"
At the evening meeting Mr. Bryan and
Mr.. Stevenson were given a tremendous
greeting by the crowd. Both were cheer
ed again and again as they appeared on
the platform Mr.. Towne delivered the
most extended speech of the evening meet
ing. outlining the campaign arguments on
which the Democratic party will fight the
campaign Of 1900.
Mr Towne gave his first attention to
the monetary question, admitting that the
Issue had changed in importance since
1900. but insisting that IL 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. Mr.
ToWne devoted considerable attention to
i,nperiallsm condemning the course of the |
administration.
Mr. Towne was followed by Mr.. Bryan,
who was introduced amid tremendous APP !
nlause He spoke as follows:
'I am deeply grateful TO the good peo- |
nle OF this city and state for their very |
cordial approval Of my nomination. Four
wears ago the state gave me about 13 900 |
plurality. and on three occasions since |
tbat time the people Of Nebraska de-
c..red their adherence to the political |
principles for which / have been con-
lending. l am not vain enough to be. |
liove hat their support is meant as a |
t,crsoua' compliment. l accept It as an |
evidence of their steadfast devotion to |
tho principles to which have been we'd |
dcd