The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-04-26
ON THE WARPATH
Last Night i'm a Hall Rented by Him.
self (Maybe) Bryan Discussed the
Political Situation-He Declared
Parker Unfit to Lead Any Honest
Party-New York Platform, He
Stated, is Dishonest One, Fit Only
For Dishonest People-''Would Dis
grace the Democrats OF the Nation, -
He Declared.

Chicago, April 23.-William ].
Bryan addressed a large audience to-
night in the armory of the Second In
fantry, at the corner of Curtis street
and Washington boulevard. The place
was packed to its utmost capacity,
and a large number of people were
unable to get through the doors.
The meeting was entirely an affair
of Mr.. Bryan's, he having rented the
of the meeting. He was particular to
have it understood that his address
was not in favor of or against any par
nomination for the Presidency. His
subject was The New York Plat
form,' and he repeated several times
during the course of his address that
he was discussing measures only, and
not men.
In order that his address might not
have the appearance of being deliv-
cred under any particular political in
fuence. or in the interest of any spe-
cial faction, Mr.. Bryan was his own
presiding officer and introduced him
self to his hearers.
Mr.. Bryan said all doubt as to Judge
4 l.
| the adoption of the New York plat
form, and he thought he could prove
Parker'S unfitneSs for nomination by
! the Democratic party or any other
/ party that stands for honesty and
| fair dealing in politics. He then pro-
| ceeded to a review of the issues now
| before the country including the
| trusts, Imperialism, the labor question,
| the tariff, the money question, income
| tax, election of Senators by the peo-
| pie, and declared the New York plat
| form was silent upon all these issues.
THE New York PLATFORM" Mr.. Bry-
an continued, lis a dishonest plat
| form, fit only for a dishonest party.
No one but an artful dodger would
| such a platform to the voters Of a
| state is an insult to their intelligence,
| for it is intended to deceive them. and
a deliberate attepmt to deceive-espe-
| cially SO clumsy an attempt as this
| platform is-is a reflection upon the
| brains of those to whom it is sub
mitted.
| Can any one doubt that with such
a platform as was adopted in New
| York, and with a candidate whose
conscience would permit him to run
| upon such a platform-does any one
doubt that, with such a platform and
| candidate, the party would be mort
gagged before hand to the corpora
| tions. that are now using the govern
| ment as a private asset and plumber
| ing the people at will?
But there is another reason why
the Democratic party cannot afford
TO go before the country with an am
biguous platform and an uncertain
candidate. No matter how people
may differ as to the relative impor-
| of n
that the trust question to-day pre-
sents an important phase of the great
conflict between plutocracy and Dem
ocracy. We have recently had a Su-
preme court decision on the merger
case. This decision was rendered by
a bare majority of one, and that one
(Judge Brewery in a separate opinion
has stated his position in such way
as to leave no doubt that in the first
case involving a trust he may join the
majority and defeat the Sherman law
The President to be elected this fall
will doubtless have the appointment
of one or two, and possibly three, Su-
preme court judges. If his sympa-
thies are with the corporations, he
Will doubtless appoint judges satisfac-
! tory to the corporations-especi
if obligated~to the corporations by
large campaign contributions-anc
! these judges can make it impossible
to secure any remedial legislation fol
years to come.
The issue presentd to-day in the
trust question and in all the Other
questions with which we have to deal
is the question between human right:
and the so-called property rights
or. more properly speaking. between
, ordinary people and the great corpor-
ations- Those who believe that prop
erty rights are supreme take the sids
of the trusts. If we have a Presiden
who is in sympathy with this theory
it means that the dollar will be g:ver
! consideration before the man.
means that organized wealth can con
! tinue to trample upon the rights o
the people; it means that the instru
: mentalities OF government can be uset
{ for the protection of every scheme o
r exploitation that the capitalists cal
conceive
2 I'VE ought to appeal TO the con
: science Of the public and arraign Re
publican policies as hostile both Z
i the principles of free government an
Ito the principles of morality. w
: have an opportunity to make tn
! Democratic party a power in thi
: country. not only a power. but a pow
er for good. Let Us array the part