Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-01-23
PRICE. FIVE CENTS
W. j. BRYAN ON
POLITICAL ISSUES
Gives Democrats Wholesome A1Yisa
AMI Denomees Corruption.
STILL STICKS TO BLMETAIISEx

Lincoln, Neb,. Jan. ia formal
welcome to w. J. Bryan on his return
from Europe, taking the form of a
dollar dinner" was held here. and *
was attended by nearly 200 Demo crats
The dinner was intended as a test =
monial of regard and sympathy witgo
Mr.. Bryan's political policies an d gos
mark his entry into active parti cipES--
tion in the pre-convention camp aigZg
Mr.. Bryan spoke on The Moi al Is
sue" His speech was heartily app laucs-.
ed. He said in part:
Instead of taking of concessions AK
compromises. it is time for honest arrg
aggressive action. We are confrouted
with condition that may well aIarla
the thoughtful and patriotic We hatE
corruption everywhere. Voters srs,
bought at so much a head repres euta-
tves in our city governments a,7a
profiting by their positions, and even
federal officers are selling inhuen-e.
What is the cause? The comm erc(ar
spirit that puts price on every thiur
and resolves every question into 'wglG
II payF What is the remedy? There
is only one remedy, an appeal to the
moral sense of the country, an awEs-
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, huE
by turning deaf ear to the Contempt
BILE cry of anything to win,' and by an.
nouncing an honest and straishttov~-
ward position on every public quss-
ton.
han
accomplished fact in order 70 appease,
those who are willing TO endorse gov
ernment without the consent OF the,
governed?' There can be no thought OF
such a surrender, for who would trust
us TO deal with other questions IL We
prove false to the fundamental princi-.
Piles OF self-government?
Shall We change our position on the
trust question in order to secure tho
support of the trust magnates? Nor
for moment can we think of IT. We
want the trust magnates against us.
not for us.
Shall we abandon our advocacy or
bi-metalism in order to ccnciliate
those who defeated the party in other
campaigns? Never. Some phase of the
money question is always before coz
gress.
Shall we change our position op the
tariff question in order to win over
Democrats who are enjoying the bene-.
fits of protection? 1t is absurd TO sug--
gest ii. for the same vicious principle
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 should be.
to reaffirm it in its entirety, and it's
next act should be the addition of new
planks in harmony with 1t and cover
ing such new questions as demand con-
sideration.
Then the convention should select
candidates who believe in the plat
form, candidates whose Democracy will
not be an Issue In the campaign and,
whose fidelity to Democratic principles
will not be doubted at the election. AnU
then the committee should announce,
that it will neither ask nor receive
contributions from those who are en-
trenched behind the bulwerks which
we are attacking. And then let US de-
fend our position, not on the low
ground of dollars and cents, but by
showing how Republican policies invite
the punishment that sooner or later
overtakes the wrongdoer.
"Will such a course insure victory?
The best that our party can do is to de-
serve victory, and an appeal to tho
conscience of the American people Is
sure to win ultimately and offers the
best promise of immediate success"