West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1900-07-19
AN ELOQUENT
ADDRESS.
The Speech Of Hon. W. D. Oldham
Of Nebraska, in Nominating
Bryan for the Presidency.
Delivered Before the National Dem.
oeratie Convention at Kansas City,
July 9th, 1900.

In presenting the name of William len
nings Bryan as the Democratic candidate for
the presidency of the United States, Hon.
w. ID. Oldham, of Nebraska, said
''Mr. Chairman :--More than hundred
years ago the Continental Congress of
America adopted a declaration which the
joyous tones of the old Liberty bell, which
greeted the act, announced TO a waiting
world that nation had been born.
with hearts unehilled by the selfish
sentiments of cold commercialism, you have
responded patriotically to each sentiment
contained in Democraey's iirst platform as /,
was read to you at the opening of this con.
ven,ion; and in view of the radical depart
ing which the party in power had made
from the principles sc, forth in that historic
document IL is meet that we--true believers
in the republic of old-should, when choos-
ing field and forming our lines for the
bloodless battle of ballots now impending,
say IN the language ot one of the loved pa
triots Of long ago 'Read this declaration
at the head OF the army and every sword
shall be drawn from its soabbard, and a sol.
emn vow taken to maintain it or to perish on
the field Of honor"
HISTORY SHALL BE MADE OR MARRIED.
'Much of the history of this republic
shall be either made or marred by the action
of this convention. You, as representatives
of the only party which is eo-existent with
the nation itself; the only party which ever
had within its own ranks sufficient con
struetive craftsmanship 10 create a nation in
which each citizen becomes sovereign have,
true to the traditions you bear in your plat
form set out in simple language, with de
cided American accent. plan for the peo-
pies redemption from each sacrilege and
schism taught by the Republicay party.
The plan contains nothing but the approved
precepis Of the elders and doctors of your
faith. IT, on platform. you place can
didaie whose devoted and unblemished life
shall stand as pledge to the plain people
that he, in good faith, will carry out the
solemn covenants made therein. then the
hour of our ultimate triumph is at hand
"There is no greater honor reserved for
citizen of these United States, than To- be.
come the standard bearer Of the Democratic
party. IL at once enrolls his mans on tn.
scroll of the 'ImmJrtals who are not born
to die, and encircles him with halo of
the glory of all the illustrious achievements
which that unconquered and unconquerable
organization, has embIazoned on every pag
of our nations history IL entrusts To his
keeping the fame of that long line Of states.
men and patriots who have knelt for
blessing at D-mocracy's shrine
90, bright are the names of those heroes
and sages
That shine like stars ihrougi the dimness
of ages,
Whose deeds are inscribed on the pages of
story,
Forever to live in the sunlight OF glory.
IN NgRo OF NonLE LEADER.
"This high distinction must not be I'm.
worthily bestowed. II must follow as
regard for noble actions brayely done, for
unrequited and tireleSs toll, for sacrifices
made and strength displayed. for trusts dis
charged and pledges kept We must seek
a leader whose public and private life most
nearly cSemplifes his pariy's highest teach
ing's; who stands unqualihedly pledged to
every issue we declare: who will carry the
standard we place in his hands, even as the
Black Douglass carried the sacred casket
that enclosed the heart of Bruce.
"lIe must not declare for free trade with
Puerto Rico, and then at the persuasive
suggestion Of the sugar and tobacco trust.
sign bill for tariff on the products of that
island.
'iie must not den Junce policy as one
of criminal aggression. and then al the de-
maud Of a power behind the throne, pursue
the policy he has denounced.
''IIe must not, while protesting opposition
to combines and conspiracies against trade.
send his emissaries to the trust baron castles
to beg, like Lazarus at Dives gates, for
subscriptions to his campaign. lie must
not lend the moral support Of his sdmiais-
iraIion TO a monarchy in its efforts to de.
stroy republic, but he must ever sympa
ihize with people struggling for the right
Of self government.
FREg AND uNLimrgD COINAGE or SILVER.
'1ugead Of the Republican policy Of
mono-meiallism, he must offer the free and
unlimited coinage Of the money metals Of
the constitution, the gold tha, polished the
winged sandals Of Hermes, aud the silver
that glitters in ihe bow Of Diana.
'1ns,ead Of panic breeding. credit cur.
reucy, controlled by the bank trust, he
must offer government paper controlled by
the people.
ole must be able to distinguish between
Democratic expansion and Republican im
pedalism. The FIRST is natural growth by
The addition Of contiguous American ter.
riiory. into every foot Of which is carried
the constitution, the flag and the dccaloguo,
and over the shoulders Of every inhabi,ant
Of The added territory is thrown a purple
robt Of sovereign citizenship. Its growth
that has added eighteen stars h. the field Of
blue 10 the BANNER of the Free 20 symbol.
ize The states that have been carved from
/ territory. annexed 10 the domain Of this ma
ton by The wisdom and craftsmanship Of
The Democratic party. this IS an expansion
that is bounded on The north by The con
sdtution Of the Upiied States. on the cast
by The Monroe doctrine. on the south by
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