Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-01-21
THEDOLLAR DINNER
A Welcome Given W. J. Bryan on
His Return from Europe.
HIS TlLK OF "THE HORiL ISSUE"
rho Kansas CITY Platfokm said 20 I,s
Sound 10 Every Rlsnk and THAT the
Next Convention SHOULD "A
ReaflRm IL.

4
dinner was held last night and was
attended by nearly 700 democrats,
made up principally Of men In full
sympathy and accord with Mr.. Bryan's
political policies. II was intended as q
testimonial Of regard and sympathy
with Mr.. Bryan's political ideals. from
members Of his party In the city and
state, and to mark his entry into
active participation Of the pre-conyen-
ton campaign. sMr. Bryan held q spe-
cial reception previous to the banquet
and was given al most enthusiastic
greeting.
Mr.. Bryan, speaking to the toast,
1.-THE Moral Issue said in part:
Instead Of talking Of concessions
and compromise. 1t IL time for honest
and aggressive action. We are con-
fronted with q condition that may well
alarm the thoughtful and patriotic.
We find corruption everywhere.
Voters are bought at so much per
head, representatives IN our city gov
eminent are profiting BY their position
and even federal ofiicials are selling
their influence. What is the cause?
The commercial spirit that puts price
on everything and resolves every
question into win 1t pay?'
1--WE see this theory in operation on
every side. The protective tariff sched-
ules illustrate it; our financial sys-
tenn rests upon It; the trusts hide
themselves behind 1t and imperialists
are substituting this theory for the
Is 1t strange that money
Is used to carry elections? II a party
makes certain classes rich by law will
Il not naturally turn to those classes
for contributions during the cam
paign? II congress votes millions of
dollars annually to tariff barons, money
and monopolists, is 1t not
natural that aldermen should traffic
IN the small legislation Of a city coun-
III, and II officials. high and low, use
he government as II 1t were a private
asset, is 1t surprising that many indi-
RITUALS who are without official posi-
ion yield to the temptation to sell the
,nly political influence they have,
namely, the ballot? What Is the rem
'dy? There Is but one remedy--an ap- |
zeal to the moral sense OF the country
IAN awakening Of public conscience. |
Ind how can this appeal be made?
Jot by showing a greater desire for
he spoils Of office than for reform,
nut by turning a deaf ear to the con |
emptible cry Of Anything to win and |
y announcing an honest and straight
onward position on every public ques-
lon.
Shall we accept imperialism as an
accomplished fact in order to appease
hose who are willing to indorse gov
without the consent of the
ovefned !? NThe1e can be no thought
{ such a surrender, for who would
rust us to deal with other questions
we prove false to the fundamental
rinciples Of self-government?
Shall we change our position on the
'iist question In order to secure the
lpport Of the trust magnates? Not
,r moment can we think Of II. We Ii
ant the trust magnates against us,
OF for us. Their opposition is proof
our party,s fidelity; their support
ould cast suspicion upon us. n
"Shall we abandon our advocacy Of
metallism in order to conciliate those
no defeated the party In other cam
ligns? Never. Some phase Of the
oney question 10 always before com
'ess and no one can predict when the
image phase Of the money question
III again become acute.
"Shall we change our position on the
ria question in order to win our de-
ands, we who are enjoying the bene-
3 Of protection? It is absurd to sug-
st 1t, for the same vicious principle
ms through all Of the facts from
hich the people suffer. And so with !
Q position on the labor question,
e election Of senators by the people,
i watered stock. control Of corpora
ms and on other issues.
THE Kansas City platform Ia sound
every plank and the first act Of the /.
xt convention should be to reafirm !
ia Its entirety, and It's next act :
ould be the addition Of new planks !
harmony with 1t and covering such :
W questions as demand considera- I