Milford chronicle., 1904-01-22
W. j. BRYAN ON
POLITICAL ISSUES
Givfs Democrats Wholesome Advice
and DenOunces Corruption.
STILL STICKS TO BLMETALISM

STILL STICKS To BEMETALlSM
Lincoln, Neb.. Jan. ia formal
welcome to w. ]. Bryan on his return
from Europe, taking the form of a
dollar dinner" was held here, and it
was attended by nearly 700 Democrats.
The dinner was intended as a testi-
mOnial of regard and sympathy with
Mr.. Bryan's political policies and to
mark his entry into active participa-
tion in the pre-convention campaign.
Mr.. Bryan spoke on The Moral Is
sue" His speech was heartily applaud
ed. He said in part:
Instead of talking of concessions and
compromises, it is time for honest and
aggressive action. We are confronted
with a condition that may well alarm
the thoughtful and patriotic. We find
corruption everywhere. Voters are
bought at so much a head, representa-
tives in our city governments are
profting by their positions, and even
federal officers are selling influence,
What is the cause? The commercial
spirit that puts a price on everything
and resolves every question into will
it pay?' What is the remedy? There
is only one remedy, an appeal to the
moral sense of the country, an awak-
ening of public conscience.
"And how can this appeal be made?
Not by showing a greater desire for
the spoils of Office than for reforms, but
by turning a deaf ear to the cODtempt-
BILE cry OF anything to win and by an
nouncing an honest and straightfor-
ward position on every pablic ques-
tion.
"ShaH we accept imperialism as an
accomplished fact in order to appease
those who are willing to endorse gov
ernment without the consent of the
governed2' There can be no thought of
such a surrender, for who would trust
us to deal with other questions if We
prove false to the fundamental princi-
pies Of self-gOvernment?
"ShaH We change our position on abe
trust question in order to secure the
support of the trust magnates? Not
for a moment can we think OF H. We
want the trust magnates against us,
not for us
Shall we abandon our advocacy OF
bi-metaIism IN order to cOnciliate
those who defeated the party IN other
campaigns? Never. Some phase OIL the
money question is always bafore con
gress.
Shall we change our position on the
tariff question in order to win over
Democrats who are enjoying the bene-
fi1s of protection? 1t is absurd to sug-
gest it, for the same vicious principle
gums through all Of the abuses from
which the people suffer.
The Kansas City platform is sound
on every plank, and the first act Of the
next Democratic convention should be
to reafirm it in its entirety, and its
next act should be the addition Of new
planlls in harmony With it and cover
ing such new questions rs demand con-
sideration.
Then the convention should select
candidates who belicre in the plat
form. candidates whose Democracy will
not he an issue in the campaign and
whose fidelity to Democratic principles
will not be doubted at the election. And
then the committee should announce
that it will neither ask nor receive
contributions from those who are en-
trepched behind the bulwarks which
we are attacking. And then let us de-
fend our position, not on the low
ground of dollars ana cents but by
showing how Republican policies invite
the punishment that sooner or later
overtakes the wrongdcer.
''Tyill such a course insure victory?
The best that our parts can do is to de-
serve victory, and an appeal to the
conscience Of the American people is
sure to win ultimately and offers the
best promise of immediate success"