The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-01-12
Bryan on Reorganization

Hon. ". j. Bryan Vas the guest OK
honor at the annual bar quet Of II Q
Chicago Bryan League Tuesday night
at the Sherman House. Mr.. Bryan
was driven direct from the depCt to
the banquet nall where several hum
dred members Of t1e league and IL cir
friends awaiting his arrival greeted him
in euthusiassio fashion.
Mayor Harrison acted as tosstmalter
Some Of ths preliminary addresses ere
Of considerable length, aud 1t was sfIer
midnight before Mr.. Bryan, who had
the last place on she program ne. rose
90 make his address. Mr. Bryan said:
q" am now a private citizen, with
excellent prospects Of remaining such
intend to continue actively In the
discussion Of public questions. and do
t:desire to be embarrassed by being
placed in the attitude Cf o candidate
for any Office.
1.-THE Democratic party was never in
better fighting condition than 1t Is TO-
day, and rejoice that in the course Of
nature have many years in which to
participate in the struggle between
human rights and the usurpations OF
greed.
'It 10 not necessary TO discuss the sub.
jeot Of reorganization further than to
say that reorganization Is an internal
remedy and that it cannot be applied
externally. A person must be inside
of the party before he can participate
In the party management.
''Some seem to think that they can
be outside for voting purposes and In
inside for purposes Of reorganization.
Those who are within the party lines
have a right to q voice in the making
of the platform and are entitled to
make such change In the organic alton
or machinery Of the party as they
please, bat honesty and good faith re.
quire that any desired change shall be
openly proposed aud fairly presented.
Party organizations are framed for par.
ty governments and derive their just
powers from the consent OF she governed
Party platforms are Of no value unless
they reflect the purpose Of and the pol
10y desired by q majority Of those who
belong TO the party. Those who are
really devoted to DemooratiosprinoIIl les
will neither practice deception them
selves nor permit others to practice
deception In writing platform or IN
securing the control Of the party ma.
ohinery.
1.-THE defeat which the party Erecent-
ly suffered ought not to discourage any
one who believes in the principles SCI
forth In the Kansas City platform, fol-
II those principles were right when the
platform was written and when they
were Endorsed by nearly six millions
and half of voters. they are still
right.
mo one can fotesee the conditions
which our party must meet. bus we
can face the future with the determi'
nation to apply Democratic principles
to every emergency and 20 make the
party faithful exponent Of the views
Of those who believe in equal rights &c
all and special privileges to none
"Whether the money question will
figure prominently In future campaigns
will depend upon circumstances, which
no one can measure with certainty.
"Monopolies will ultimately become
so hurtful that the Republicans will nc
longer be able to defend them. Even
today their defense Is more secret than
open. A colonial policy when put into
full operation will prove 30 repugnani
to American principles that it must
finally be repudiated by the American
people. II in the cases now pending
the court holds that the Constitution
follows the flag, large portion of the
Republican party will oppose the re
tentIon of the Philippine Islands II,
on the contrary. the court holds that
President and Congress can govern
peoples without regard TO the restric
tions of the Constitution. many Repub.
lioans will be able to realize what I'm
perialism means