Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1901-05-23
BRYAN ON ~
~ THE ISSUES.

Jennings Bryan at Lake Park
Springs today. He was met at
Kansas City by J. G. Numm,
chairman of the Vernon County
Democratic Committee, LII. Scott,
\. b. Cockerill, II. w. Mitchell
and +. +. Bean, and escorted to
this city. At the Nevada depot he
was welcomed by a reception COM
mittcc of 100 Vernon county DEM
ocrats and about 5000 citizens.
Mr.. Bryan's progress from the
train to the Auditorium at Lake
Park Springs was continuous
ovation. He was introduced by
Mayor $. A. Wight, who spoke of
him as IA man whose name in ev-
cry Democratic household is the
synonym for rugged honesty, pat.
riotism and personal purity.
Mr.. Bryan spoke for two hours.
He said in part:
MY presence here today is the
result of a promise made several
years ago, and repeated at inter-
walls. 1t shows that l fulfill my
promises if given time enough. |
speak not as Democrat to Demo-
Gratis, but as a citizen to citizens. ."
Mr.. Bryan then touched on the
subject of reorganization. He said:
" want to say word about the
muchtalked. of reorganization. The
reorganization which is being at
tempted is not so much a change
in the personnel of the organiza-
ton us Il change in the principle of
the party. The reorganizers are
not able to win in an open fight.
But they hope to succeed by fraud
and deceit.
IF they were to prepare plat
form and submit it to the voters
at a primary election they would
scarcely hope to carry precinct
in the United States, but working
secretly, backed by n corporate in
huence, they are formidable.
"Thc influence welded by trusts
and other large corporations il
greater than ever before. And
the corporation element has Il
stronger representation i'll the par
ty organization today than it has
had ut any time since the Struggl,
of 1896.
THE so-callcd Democrats who
voted the Republican ticket show
ed by their votes that they wer,
nearer to the Republican party
than to the Democratic party. II
before changing their opinions
they are put in charge of the Dem
Ocratic organization, it will be 1
notice to the world that the party
is moving toward the Republican
position. Such a retreat would b,
pleasing to the reOrganizers, but il
would discourage and disgust tn,
real Democrats who vote the tick.
ct, not because they want Office oi
expect pecuniary profit, but be-
cause they honestly believe in Dem.
ocratic principles.
Il do not believe that the reor
ganizcrs can secure control in thi,
State in a fair fight.
But those who believe in the
Kansas City platform must be on
their guard here and everywhere.
II am not so much concerned
about the political success of this
man or that man, but | am inter
estcd in having the party remain
true to its principles. 1t can sur
vivc dcfeat-it stands by the peo
pie. But it could not survive 1
victory purchased by an abandon
mcnt of its principles.
Il know you have heard of tn,
money question down here, fol
this is Stones home. If StOn,
had had any difficulty in convinc
ing you he could have sent for De
Almond. The money question j.
not settled. After my defeat il
1892 it was said to be dead, but il
bObbed up again in '93, and "a
and 90, and '9G, and has come NJ
every year since. That will be-
settled when there is enough stand
ard money to preserve "A stapl,
dollar. No matter what brings it
whether by silver or discovery o.
enough gold, bimetallists will wei
come it,"
Mr.. Bryan emphasized the state
| mnnt thaf he il still N SilNnr mnn