Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1904-01-22
BRYAN'S DOLLAR DINNER.


Gratis, made up principally of men in full sym
patty with Mr.. Bryan's policies.
In his speech on this occasion, Mr.. Bryan
said, in part:
"Instead of talking of concessions and con
promises, it is time for honest anG aggressive
action. We are confronted with condition
that may we'll alarm the thoughtful and patri-
otto. We find corruption everywhere. Voters
are bought at so much per head, representatives
in our city government are profiting by their
position, and even federal officials are selling
their influence What is the cause? The
thing and resolves every question into will it
pay?'
''This commercaism has given popularity
10 that theory of government which permits
the granting OF privileges to favored few, and
defends the theory by an attempt to show that
the money thus given directly finds its way in
directly back into the pockets of the taxpayers
"We see this theory i'll operation on every
side. The protective tariff schedules illustrate
it; or our financial system rests upon it; the
trusts hide themselves behind it, and imperial
lists are substituting this theory for the consti-
tuition. Is it strange that money is used TO
carry elections? If a party makes certain
classes rich by law, will it not naturally turn
to those classes for contributions during the
campaign? If congress votes millions CT dol
lars annually to tariff barons, money lnagnates
and monopolists, is it not natural that aldermen
should traffic in the small legislation OF city
council, and if officials, high and low, use the
government as if it were private asset, is it
surprising that many individuals who are with
ont officials position yield to the temptation TO
sell the only political influence they have,
namely the ballot? What is the remedy?
There is but one renedy-an appeal to the
moral sense of the country-an awakening OF
public conscience.
"And how can this appeal be made? Not
by showing greater desire for the spoils of
Office than for reform, but by turning deaf ear
TO the contemplate cry of anything to VIM
and by announcing all honest and sraightlor-
ward position on every public question. If we
would appeal to sincere men, we must ourselves
be sincere, and our sincerity can be shown only
q
abandon the cause of good government.
"Shall we accept imperialism as an accom-
pished fact in order to appease those who are
willing to endorse government without the
consent of the governed. There can be no
thought of such surrender, for who would
trust us to deal with other questions if we
prove false to the fundamental principles of
self-government?
"Shall we change our position OH the t-ust
question in order to secure the support of the
trust rnagnate? Not for moment can we
think OF it, We want the trust magnates against
MS, not for us. Their opposition is proof OF
our paity's fidelity; their support would cast
suspicion upon us.
"Shall we abandon our advocacy Of bimetal-
ism in order to concilate those who defeated
the party in other campaigns? Never! Some
phase of the money question is always before
congress, aud no one can predict when the
coinage phase of the money question will be-
come acute again. No reform of any kind
would be possible with the money changers i'll
control OF the party
"The Kansas City platform is sound in every
nlank. and the first act of the next convention
should be to re-affirm it in its entirety, and its
rsxt act should be the addition of new planks
in harmony with it and covering such new
questions as demand considerations
uWill such a course insure victory? The
hest that our party can do is to deserve victory,
aud an appeal to the conscience OF the Amcri-
49,, &c sure 10 win ultimately, and offers the
best promise OF immediate success"