The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-01-20
BRYAN INSISTS on
KANSAS CITY PLATFORM.
Free Silver Leader Delivers Sia-
nificant Address at Compliment
tary Banquet.

Lincoln, Neb., Jan. 1S.--A formal
welcome to VIM. J. Bryan on his re-
turn from Europe, taking the form OF
dollar dinner,'' was held tonight
and was attended by nearly TOO Demo
Gratis. The dinner was intended as
testimonial Of regard and sympathy
with Mr.. Bryan's political policies
and to mark his entry into active
participation in the pre-conventioE
campaign. Mr.. Bryan spoke to "Ths
Moral Issue" His speech was heart
lily applauded.
Mr.. Bryan said:
Instead of talking Of concessions
and compromises, it is time for honest
and aggressive action. We are con-
fronted with condition that may we'll
alarm the thoughtful and patriotic
We find corruption everywhere. Voters
are bought at so much a head, repre-
sentatives in our city governments are
profting Dy their positions and ever
federal officers are selling influence.
What is the cause? The commercial
spirit that pats price on everything
and resolves every question into will
1t pay?' This commercialism has given
popularity to that theory of govern
ment 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 indirectly back into the pockets
of the people If a party makes GER
tain classes rich by law will it not
naturally turn to these classes for con-
tributions during the campaign? If
congress votes millions of dollars
annually to tariff barons, money
| magnates and monopolists, is it NOT
natural that aldermen should traffic
in the small legislation of city coun-
Gil, and if officials, high and low, use
the government as if it were priyats-
asset, is it surprising that many in
dividuais who are without official posi-
tion yield to the temptation to sell
the only political influence they have
namely, the ballot? What is the
remedy? There is only one remedy,
an appeal to the moral sense of the
country, an awakening Of public coz
science:
'And how can this appeal be nader
Not by showing greater desire for
the spoils of Office than for reforms,
but by turning a deaf ear to the con
temptible cry of anything to win anG
by announcing an honest and straight
forward position on every public cues
| tion.
Shall we accept imperialism as an
accomplishd fact in order tt appease
those who are willing to endorse 'goy-
ernment 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
principls of self-government?
Shall We change our position or
the trust question in order TO secure
the support of the trust magnates.
Not for moment can We think of it.
We want the trust magnates against
us, not for US.
"Shall we abandon our advocacy Of
bimetallism in order to conciliate
those who defeated the party in other
campaigns? Never. Some phase of
the money question is always before
congress, and no one can predict when
tie coinage phase of the money ques-
tiion will again become acute. Nc.
reform of any kind would be possible
With the money changers in contros
of the party.
"Shall we change our position on
the tariff question in order to win
over Democrats who are enjoying the
benefits of protection? 1t is absurd to
suggest it, for the same vicious prin-
ciple runs 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 shonld
be to reafirm it in it's entirety and It's
next act should be the adoption of new
planks in harmony with it and cover
ing such new questions as demand
consideration. -