Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-07-11
THE DEMOCRATS
Informal Opening Of Presiden-
tiaI Campaign at Lincoln, Neb.
Work Outlined by Leaders of the
~ Several Parties.
Mr.. Bryan announces Opening Of Campaign
With Usual Energetic Speech.

tial campaign took place in Lincoln.
today In two ratification meetings
one in the afternoon. conducted by the
Pdpulists and Silver Republicans of
Nebraska and one, this evening, con-
Quoted by the Democrats, VIM. J.
Bryan. Charles A. Towne, Gen. James
b. Weaver and other leaders of the
parties outlined the work of the cam
paign in the interest of Bryan and
stevenson. Probably $4,000 people lis
tened to the speeches. Mr.. Bryan and
Mr. Tdwne spoke at both meetings
Mr. Stevenson, who is Mr.. Bryan s
guest was somewhat indisposed and
did not appear at the afternoon meet
ing He was present at the evening
however, and received an ovation. At
the afternoon meeting, the speakers
We're Mr.. Bryan, Congressman Sha-
froth of Colorado, Cyclone" Davis Of
Texas. Former Assistant Secretary Of
the Interior Webster Davis, Charles 4.
Towne and Gen. James Il. Weaver
Mr. Bryan spoke last ana only in re-
Spouse to repeated calls.
Il fell almost as if l ought to apollo
gize. for not being able to call myself
4 former Republican" said Mr.. Bryan
y
eloquent tribute to General Weaver
Charles a. T0wne and Webster Davis,
former Republicans.
Il simply want to say now that the
campaign is begun So far as the tickets
and the platforms ar concerned" Mir
Bryan continued. and from now until
election day it will be the duty OF
every citizen t. take these issues be
h.. t,.,.
we lived in 2 land where king
thought for US We would feel no It
splnsibility for the action Of that king
But we live in a land where the peD-
pie determine the policy. We live in 4
Land whore the citizen impresses his
own opinion upon the government
whore the policy Of the government
may be determined by the vote of on"
citizen. And | want to leave a thought
with those who are tp vote. this fan
] want every citizen u 50 vote as he
would vote if he knew that his vote
wnu.,. determine this next election
tApplauSe).
When you get to the polls to vote
remember that you are an American
citizen tApplause). Remember that
your vote may determine this nations
position and that this nation will. in
a large measure. determine the pub
lie opinion of the world on the doctrine
that governments come up from tn
people. tGrcat applauspD. For i24
wears this nation has held before
the world the light Of liberty For more
than a century it has been an example
Ia all the world. You tell me that We
can now be indifferent 10 what is going
on? You tell me that a man who lifts
his voice against the doctrine Of imperial
ism is pleading the cause of the Filipino &?
tell YOU he is pleading the cause Of 10
$4,000 American citizens, aye, hc is cham
pi0ning the rights Of the struggling
masses of the world who look to America
for example Great applause. If every
Filipino We're 70 die the world would 60
nn. but this nation, the greatest republic
of the worlds history puts out its light
II this republic turns it's back to the doe
trine which we loved a century ana Il
quarter ago, then to what nation " the
world can the people look for hope ana
Inspiration? So you ought to be proud
that YOU are an American citizen ana are
able 70 say if the republic goes down |
am not to blame for its downfall" Great
applausel.
Townr delivered the most extended
speech Of the evening meeting, outlining
the campaign on which tile Democratic
party viii fight the campaign of 1900.
MIR. Towne gave his first attention to the
monetary question. insisting that it was
still i live issue. Trusts were denounced
As an inherent part of the Republican
administration. Continuing. Towne said
We stand upon the threshold Of the
campaign Of 1870, wherein the allied re
iurm forces of the country nope ana in
tend To restore the action Of the federal
government to the principles Of Wash
inSton ana jefferson. No alliances or en-
Engagements abroad ana at home equal
rights for all, special privileges to none
The republic is already in danger.
IN the midst Of social questions Of
Eravest complexion to whose solution
are requisite the best intellect and
loftiest patriotism of this country. the
Vigilance of the people is relaxed by the
occurrence of war whose noble inception
has disguised its consequences until,
within the little space of two years We
have travelled further and further
from our old ideals. We are in the very
shadow of the empire"
WI CIV ne flllltlLt't me 1Illlutlti 81
this government toward the people of
Puerto Rico and the Philippines
We are piling up experience by the
hundred of millions on land and sea
IN order to make commercial returns
IN thousands
Mr.. Towne was followed by Mr.. Bry-
an who was introduced amid tremen-
dous applause. He spoke as follows:
on three occasions since 1896 the
people Of Nebraska have declared their
adherence to the political principles for
which | have been contending. l ac-
cept this as an evidence of their stead
Iast devotion to the principles to which
l nave been welded.
l do not care to enter at the present
TIME upon discussion of the platform.
can say however. that it is in my
Judgment the greatest platform adopt
'a IN recent years if not in the history
OF the country. 1t is a greater plat
form than the Chicago platform, for it
endorses the principles set forth in
shat platform and in addition thereto
presents the party's position upon sew
erai new and vital questions.
When the convention came to the