The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-03-08

States the Exemplar of the
Whole Universe.
In lecture on the subject of "a Con-
| querng Nation" Hon. William Jen-
nings Bryan, last night at the Ly-
ceum gave to Il fair sized audience the
views that now obtain with him on how
the United States should comport it.
self. 1t was rather as an economic
student than a political advocate that
he, ostensibly, framed his discourse,
but there was not single utterance
of his more than two hours of a speech
that was not as partisan as he would
be expected to make 1t were he candi-
date in the midst of IA campaign.
All the leading questions of the day,
and some that were not questions of
the day, came in for treatment. The
main variation between his political
speeches and his lecture is that the
tone Of his delivery is bit more sub
dued in the latter. Possibly it was be-
cause the audience was not large and
not very responsive that he did not
evince more spirit. Whatever it was
he seemed to have been wanting as a
his campaign addresses. That it was a
treat, as a lecture, of course, goes with
out saying.
His theme was the Jeffersonian max
i'm of Equal rights for all; special
privileges to none" He began by say
ing that he has come to think of late
that there is too much pecuniary inter-
ests evidenced in the application of
principles of government. The moral
side of the question is not given the
consideration it deserves.
A PERFECT STATE.
To have a perfect civilization it is
necessary to have n state perfect ply
scaly, mentally and morally. The
moral elements is not only important
but paramount. If the time ever comes
when this nation will go downward, it
will be when it disregards morality.
This is the history of dead nations.
Justice is the foundation of permanent
government. In proportion as injus-
tice finds its way into the foundation
of government just in that same
proportion is the foundation made in
secure.
1t is laudable to be ambitious, to be
great. The measure of greatness is
found in the Masters utterance when
the disciples engaged in that unseemly
quarrel as to which should be the
greatest in heaven. He said: Let
him who would be chief among you be
servant of ALL"
This is always true. Service is the
measure of greatness. 1t Is also the
measure of happiness. What we do for
others or give to others is more gratify-
ing to us than what Is done for us by
or given to us by others.
Many good men have been trying to
do good by force. The trouble with
that Is, it works both ways. The
chances are at least sixteen to one the
ether fellow will try to coerce you.
The proper way to do good is along the
line of BE not overcome by evil; over
come evil with good"
Here Mr.. Bryan took up the ques-
ton of anarchy. He said he believed
in suppressing it, but he also believed
in going farther. Teach the anarchist,
he said that government is a necessity
and that ours is the best government
among men. He does most to destroy
anarchy who does something to better
a government. He increases anarchy
who perverts government for his own
selfish ends
When a government says to the citi-
zen that he shall not redress his own
wrongs and then fails to redress them
for him, and permits the great powers
1T makes possible to heap wrongs upon
him, it is not strange that there are
some who will listen to him who will
say that it is right to attempt to cure
this wrong by even resorting to the
removal of a ruler by violence.
MEASURE OF GREATNESS.
RevertinS to the measure of great
ness, Mr.. Bryan said ne was made
indignant by hearing of the declara ton
of a great business man that the boy
who started to work at sixteen had a
four years start on the road to sue
cess over the boy who went to col
lege. That said the speaker, is the
selfish, pecuniary doctrine. 1t takes
no account of service to fellow men.
THE same man was reported to be
at Monte Carlo recently"
Mr. Bryan said, II was consoled by
the fact that he was doing less harm
than If he was talking to graduating
If an individuals greatness is to ha
by service, Mr.. Bryan went
on to say, nation must likewise be
as to its greatness by it's SER
vices. The United States has great op-
portunities for service. Because of its
opportunities n great responsibility is
down upon us.
The Declaration of Independence de-
clared that II is a self-evident truth
that all men are created equal. If it
is true, it is the greatest truth of gov
If II Is false, it is pernic-
iously false and can't be discarded too
soon. Ii it is false, let us seize the op-
portunity the coming coronation af- |
fords of declaring our mistake of one
hundred and twenty-five years ago and
asking the forgiveness of the old
world.
Quoting the Jeffersonlan maxim on
equal rights, Mr., Bryan proceeded to
show how he would apply it to various
questions.
In dealing with taxation he roundly |
scored the wealthy taX-dodger and re-
ferred in most commentators terms to
the two Chicago school teachers who |
recently inaugurated campaign |
against the taX-dodging corporations |
Of that city. Local taxation. he de- |
ilared, falls far short OF justice. Fed |
4ral taxation makes no attempt at be- |
ng just,