The news & observer., 1902-01-07
BRYAN SPEAKS On
LIFE Of JACKSON
Be Steadfast, Barter Not
Creed for SpoiIs.
TRUTHS FROM HOLY WRIT.
He That Saveth His Life Shall
Lose It."
IT IS THUS WITH PARTIES, SAYS BRYAN.
The Party That Has No Higher Purpose than to
Save Its Own Life, He Declares, Will
Die Because II Deserves
To Die.
(By the Associated Press.)

Wooster, o.. Jan. 6.-The Hon. William
j. Bryan spoke here tonight at the Jack
son Day banquet, which was held this
evening, at his suggestion, in order that
he might keep engagements at New
Haven and Boston later in the week. His
subject was "Steadfast tness," and ne said
in part;
Among the traits of character which
was more prominent or more helpful to
his country than his steadfastness. When
he believed a thing, he believed it.
Where duty led, he followed without
questioning. When decided that
anything ought to be done, he did
il, and no power could overawe him. He
did not have in his veins a single drop
OF anything to win blood. When
Nicholas Biddle declared that through
the national bank he could make and
unmake Congresses, Jackson replied that
that was more power than any one man
ought to have in this country, and he
then began his war against Biddle and
his bank, which resulted in the overthrow
of that great financier and the institu-
tion which he SO automatically con-
tlolled. Others were afraid that Bid
dies influence, if antagonized. would de-
feat the Democratic party, but Jackson
saw in 1t a menace to his country and he
did not stop to consider what effect an
attack on the bank would have on him
self or on his party. He won and we
revere his name and celebrate his day.
Benton, in reviewing Jackson's S work
said that, as Cicero overthrow the con-
spiracy Of Cataline and saved Rome, so
Jackson overthrow the bank and saved
America. We shall observe this day in
vain if we do not gather from the life
of Jackson inspiration and encourage
ment for the work which lies before us,
Today the Democratic party needs to
learn from the hero of New Orleans the
lesson of steadfastness it needs to learn
from him not only that to be right is
more important than to be successful,
but that to be right is the best way to
insure success.
"A party must have principles or it can
have no claim upon public confidence;
and how can it commend its principles
better than by standing by them? Who
Will have faith in the creed of a party if
the party stands ready to barter away
it's creed in exchange for the promise of
patronage? A hating, vacillating course,
not only falls to invite recruits, but it
alienates and drives away veterans.
Another reason for steadfastness is
found in the fact that no one can tell
until the attempt is made what obstacles
courage can overcome. The bold and
fearless triumph where the timid fail.
The victories which live and light us on
TO noble deeds are the victories snatched
from the jaws of defeat by intrepid spirits
who preferred death to retreat.
There is profound philosophy as well
as religious truth in the words: He
that saveth his life shall lose it," The
party that has no higher purpose than TO
save it's own life will die because it de-
serves to die, If need be, for the sake of
= a great cause will live because it de-
serves to live.
who says that the money power is
cmnipotent and that the Democratic
Iarty must compromise with it or sur
render to it? Not until human nature is
entirely changed can the financiers be in
trusted with the guardianship of the pro-
ducers of wealth; not until greed becomes
just Sdu TIE money CnduSSTS construct
a system for themselves which will be
fair TO anyone else. top can be bal
aLced upon the point only when it is in
rapid motion, and SO the great financial
structure designed by Wall street for the
benefit Of Wall street will stand upright
only SO long. as it can be kept whirIing;
the collapse will come when the speed is
slackened.
WHO says that we cannot afford to
measure strength with the great monopo-
lies which now arrogantly assume to
control the domain of politics as we'll as
the field of industry? Not until we can
gather good fruit from an evil tree, and
figs from thistles, can we exject pri-
vate monopoly to bring forth public
blessings. The water that has been
poured into the stocks of our great cor
porations has for the most part been
drawn from the agricultural regions,
and the drought that is sure to follow
will teach the farmer the meaning Of the
trust system.
Must We abandon the self-evident
truth that governments derive their just
powers from the consent of the govern
eG? Must we accept Imperialism as an
accomplished fact and join in the shout
for blood and conquest? Our republic
rests upon solid rock and while its prin
ciples are reyercd it cannot be OVER