Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-09-07

spreading out ii every direction.
It was magnificent meeting Of
voters OF Wood and adjoining counties,
embracing hundreds OF ladies. and num-
bering not less than 10000 persons.
Members of the local committee say it
was larger meeting than Bryan adj
dressed in 1896, and that it exceeded the
meeting of last campaign in point of
enthusiasm.
The meeting was called to ordsr by
ex-Mayor Henry s. Wilson, who named
ex-United States Senator j. N. Camden
as chairman. Senator Camden said he
appreciated the compliment which was
paid to him in selecting him to pre-
side over such magnificent assem-
blage. He said the crowd came to see
and to hear the most prominent polit-
ical leader of the country, and he
would not consume time with extended
remarks. Our distinguished guest, "
he continued, needs no further intro
ducUlon to an American audience, than
simply to point to him, and to mention
the name of Wliiiam Jennings Bryan"
Alter a hearty and prolonged cheer,
Col. Bryan began his speech. He ex-
pressed regret that the time at his
disposal was too brief to enter into an
extended discussion of the issues of
the campaign. One of the issues, he
said, was whether we shall preserve
the doctrine that governments derive
their jus, powers from the consent of
the governed" That principle had been
assaulted this year for the first time
To his mind, it was the paramount
issue of the hour. There is always
some question, he said, which determ-
ines the action of the voter. The Dem
ocratic party has not changed its po-
sition upon any issue for which it stood
in 1895 The Kansas City platform is
q clear and emphatic statement of the
party's position upon every question.
He liked that kind of a platform.
THE Republicans are saying we dis
cussed silver in 1896, and paid less at
tention to the tariff That is true They
say we discuss imperialism now, and
pay less attention to the money ques-
ton. That is true. We meet issues as
they arise, and discuss questions that
are most important at the time. The
money question is not settled, but it is
not so important as the question of
imperialism. Our form of government
is more important than any financial
system can be.
Republicans, compare the relative
importance of the financial question and
the question of Imperialism. If there
is bad money system, and the people
rule, they can change it. Imperialism
assaults the very foundations of self
government The Republican party is
asserting a doctrine that nullifies every
principle contained in the Declaration
of independence. That immortal doc
ument declares that all men are Great
ed equal, and that governments derive
their just powers from the consent Of
the governed. These doctrines are
either true or false. If they are false,
we have been false TO the world for
more than hundred years. (Cheers).
| believe they are true, and if they are
true, we can have no title to the Phil
ippines. What title do the Republic
cans assert?"
Mr.. Bryan discussed the question of
title to the philippines in much the
same language as In his previous
speeches in this State.
Mr.. Bryan said, relative to his at
tftude toward the ratification Of the
peace treaty:
My friends, l want to call your at
tention to one argument that the Re-
publican party seems mora fond Of
making than it does of making any ar
gument in defense of imperialism. The
main argument that | have been hear
ing lately in defense of imperialism is
that helped to ratify the treaty. I
want to talk about it for a moment
Republicans give me too much credit
when they say | secured the ratifica-
ton OF the treaty. II seems to me that
II | had to help the President secure
the ratification of the treaty that closed
the war, the Republicans ought to feel
more kindly towards me than they do.
If your President and your party in
authority in both Houses could not get
the treaty ratified without my help, l
am not such bad man as you thought
Now, my friends, I have not yet
found single Senator who has public
ly declared that he voted for the treaty
because l wanted him to, but Senator
Wellington has said that he voted for
the treaty because the President asked
him to, and promised that the Filipi-
nos should not be held permanently if
the treaty was ratified, so that if you
attempt to prove that l am responsible
for the treaty, you cannot do it, but
you can prove by Senator Wellington
that the treaty would not have been
ratified but for the promise of your
President. But | will say that if the
Republican party will not assume re-
sponsibility for the ratification of the
treaty, l will do it myself. (Prolong-
ed cheering.)
Il favored the ratification of the
treaty. | was not a Senator and did
not have vote. | do not know that
my voice changed one single vote, but
I am willing to waive all that and | am
willing to assume the responsibility for
the ratification of the treaty, but Re-
pu'blicans, you must assume response
bility for the making of the treaty and
for everything that has happened since
that treaty was ratified. 1t was a Re-
publican President who appointed the
commission that made the treaty and
that treaty was made according to the