The Portland daily press., 1900-12-27
His Possible Candidacy
For Office.
Says That Must Be Determin ed
BY Events.

Lincoln, Neb., December 26.-The an
nual banquet of the Jefferson club OF
Lincoln tonight at the Lincoln hotel,
brought together nearly three hundred
representative men of the Democratic
and PopuIist narties of Nebraska, togeth-
er with number OF leaders from other
states. William j. Bryan made his ap-
pearancs at public gathering since the
election and the greeting accorded him
was never more hearty and spontaneous
In his home city. Aside from the remarks
of Mr.. Bryan, the event of the evening
was the speech of John w. Kern, defeated
Democratic candidate for governor OF
Indiana who aroused the banqusttsrs to O
high pltoh of enthusiasm, not only by his
laudation Of MIR. Bryan, but by bis out
spoken criticism OF these Democrats
whom he acoused OF contributing TO his
(Bryan's) defeat. His dsnuneiations of
Democrats who offered ''gratuitous ooun-
sci to Democracy, though he mentioned
no names, was accepted as reference to
Former President Cleveland.
1t was aftsr ten o'clock when the din
ner was finished ana thu speaking bsgan.
MIR. Bryan whose subject was principles
Live" said in part;
"At this banquet, surrounded by neigh
bors who have bsen my friends for ten
years, l may he pardoned for saying
word of personal nature. Five times
you have voted for me for public Office
twice for Congress, once for United
States Senate and twice for the Presi-
dency-and no candidate ever recsived
more loyal support than you have given
me.
whether / shall ever be q candidate
for office again Is question which must
be determined by events. No one can
speak with certainty OF the future, for
ones destiny is not known until his hfe's
work is complete. shall bs content If
1t Is my lot TO aid In the triurn ph OF the
principles, while others enjoy the honors
and bear the RESPONSIBILITIES Of otioe.
The Commonsr will give me an oppor-
tunity to participate IN public discussions
and / am SIRE that an editorial pursuit
will furnish as much intellectual enjoy
ment as could have found in the White
House.
"The principles for which we con-
tended in the last campaign etill live and
we who believe in them must continue to
tight for them. The believers in taritf
reform did not abandon their faith when
the high tariff doctrine was endorsed at
the polls, neither did proteotionists whe n
their cause suffered loss. The advocates OF
the gold standard continued the tight for
monometallism for twenty-five years in
spite of the platform declRrati ons OF all
parties in favor OF a double standard.
Shall we who believe in bimetaiiism
lose courage because our opponents have
protited by an increased volume Of money
thus admitting the economic principles
for which we have been oontendings
"The defenders of trusts did not lose
heart when all parties denounced conn.,
binations in restraint Of trade. Shall we
give mp the fight because monopoly has
triumphed by stealthI Must we now d.
vocate an imperial policy because our or
ponents have won victory by denyirg g
that they are imperialistsf A colonial
system involves surrender OF our theory
of government, and the people will un-
derstand this as soon as the system is put
into operation. II we were TO consult our
Immediate convenience and comfort we
would never oppose wrong OF any kind
for all warfare involves temporary sac.
riiice, but this is our government and
must be transmitted unimpaired to pos-
terlty. We have no choice therefore, but
to stand steadfast come what may.
"lf we are successful in diverting pres
ent tendencies ana In carrying the gov
ernment to its old foundations, we shall
rejoice in the victory and profit BY the re
forms secured. / am confident that we
shall ultimately win, but If the trend to
ward plutocracy cannot be checked. 1t Il