The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-07-11
DEMOCRATS OPEN
THEIR CAMPAIGN
IConclndcd from Page II

Washington and Jefferson-tO re-es-
tablsh by the spirit of 1896 the doc
trines OF 1776-the principles of Jeffer-
son, equal rights to all, special privi.
leges to none"
THE man who sees in the campaign
of 1896 only an ordinary political con-
test has little insight That campaign
was the beginning of life and death
struggle between opposing forces of
a fundamental character and between
which in the very nature of things,
there can be no truce of party until
victory shall have crowned the one
or the other. 1t was the first real
crash of arms between those who
would transform this government to
an oligarchy of wealth and privilege
and those who would arrest our pres
ent progress in that direction and re-
trace our steps to the safety and glory
of the ancient ways.
The Republic in Danger
"The Republic is already in danger.
| In the midst Of social questions of
gravest complexion to whose solution
prerequisite the best intellect and lof-
| test patriotism of this country, the
! vigilance of the people is retaXed by
| the occurrence of war; whose noble in
ceptiou has disguised it's consequences
until, within the little space of two
| years we have Travelled further from
our old ideals than would, even so
short time ago have seemed to be
the possible accomplishment of a CEN
/ tury, if, indeed, ever possible at all.
! Already we are in the very shadow
of the empire.
| MY friends If the citizens of this
country at the forthcoming election
shall ratify and confirm the presump-
! tuous stretches Of authority that have
| characterized the conduct of this ad-
ministration, then we shall not be in
danger of establishing an empire; the
empire will have been already estab-
lished."
Mr.. ToWne criticised the attitude Of
this government toward the people OF
| Porto Rico and the Philippines. 1--WE
| walked across Porto Rico on car
pet CT flowers spread by the confident
enthusiasm of the inhabitants, and we
have compelled them to walk thorns
in return. We are pilinS up eXpendi-
lures by the hundred of millions on
land and sea in order to make com
mercial returns in thousands. We are
adding to the strength OF the republic
by sacrificing thousands of her stall
wart sons to disease, insanity and
death. We have quilted our own to
stand upon foreign ground. We have
formed a partnership with England
wherein we assume all the danger and
she reaps all the benefit. We have
ceased to quote the declaration OF in
dependence. We have grown contemp-
tuous of the constitution. We have re-
ChriStened slaughter ana named it civ
iizatiOn. We are putting men to the
sword by the thousands and dare to
call ourselves the agents of Him about
whose lowly cradle nineteen centuries
ago the angels of heaven sang, Peace
on earth, good will to man."
An Opinion of the Platform.
Mr.. Towne was followed by Mr.. Bry-
an, who was introduced amid tremen-
dous applause. He spoke as follows:
II do not care to enter at the present
time upon a discussion of the issues
presented by the platform adopted at
Kansas City. ! can say, however, that
it is. in my judgment. the greatest
platform adopted in recent years il
not in the history of the country. Il
is a greater platform than the Chicago
platform, for 1t indorses the princi-
pies set forth in that platform and in
addition thereto presents the party s
position upon several new and vital
questions. There is no evasion about
} the platform, no ambiguity and nc
double dealing. 1t is as clear as the
tones of the bell, as clear as the tones
of liberty bell. 1t deals honestly
: with the American people. It's candi-
dates are pledged to it's maintenance
= when the convention came to the
selection of q candidate for viCe-presi-
dent there was a diversity of opinion
Some preferred an eastern candidate
believing that he would strengthen thf
ticket in the east. Some preferred Mr.
: Towne, knowing of the sacrifice which
he made for principle and of his devo'
! ton to the principles set forth in tht
Chicago platform. But the choice fel
! upon a distinguished Illinois Democrat
who once discharged with great credi
the duties of the office. In the cam
; paign OF '96, when plutocracy anC
> Democracy met face to face, Adlai f
Stevenson was an able and courageous
defender of the cause of Democracy
During the campaign he spoke in sew
. en- Of the close states
= Why Adlai Is Loved
, "In beginning my speech l referre,
| to him as, We who have been keeper
Of the Democratic faith, love Adlai L
Stevenson not only for what he is bu
love him also because he is all we hav
left OF the last national DemOcrati
ticket. The Bible tells you of tn
father who loved the prodigal sol
= when he returned. | tell you Of tn
: Democratic faith who loved the so
g who went not astray.'
9 "I know that some of our allies fel
t grieved that they We're not given tn
: second place upon the ticket but | an
n sure that they cannot feel unkindl
toward one who, like Mr.. Stevenson
j. was loyal to the ticket nominated a
= Chicago and who is able to defend tn
II magnificent party creed set forth a
II Kansas City.
i an this campaign, issues are create
Vi than men. | shall not ask any one
: vote our ticket merely because it
II the ticket Of the party. 1t deserve
e support because it stands for the dec
IS laration Of independence in dealin
with the Philippines and for the doc
trine of equal rights for all and specij
privileges for none in all domest
questions"
@ General James B. Weaver spoke q
some length, outlining the work to
done by the Democratic, Silver Reput
l. lican and Populist parties, and appea
r ing for harmony for the common caus
,e He also paid tribute to Mr.. Stevenson