The independent., 1904-01-21

/
cause Mr.. Bryan spoke too rapidly and
too earnestly for verbatim reporting.
| The substance, however, will long live
1 in the memory of those who heard
/ him. because of its undOubted spirit
/ OF no compromise with the plutocratic
element Of bis party and the canvic-
ton that harmony" with that ele-
ment is impossible. He said:
Instead of talking of concessions
and compromises, it is time for honest
and aggressive action. We are con-
| fronted with condition that may well
alarm the thoughtful and patriotic.
We find corruption everywhere. Vot-
| ers are bought at so much per head,
representatives in our city govern
ments are profiting by their positions,
and even federal officials are selling
/ their influence.
what is the cause? The CONNER
cial spirit that puts price on ev-
erything and resolves every question
into Will it pay?' This commercial
ism has given popularity to that the
ory of government which permits the
granting of privileges to a 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 taxpayers.
I'VE see this theory in operation on
every side. The protective tariff sche-
dulles illustrate it; our financial sys-
tenn rests upon it; the trusts hide
themselves behind it, and imperialists
are substituting this theory for the
constitution.
rs it strange that money is used
to carry elections? If party makes
certain classes rich by law, will it not
naturally turn to those classes for con-
tributions during the campaign? Ii
congress votes millions of dollars an
nually to tariff barons, money mag
mates and monopolists, is it not nat
ural 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 in
dlviduals who are without official po-
sition yield to the temptation to sell
the only political influence they have
, namely. the ballot? What is the rem
edy? There is but one remedy-an ap'
peal to the moral sense of the country
an awakening of the public con
science.
"And how can this appeal be made
Not by showing greater desire lol
: the spoils of Office than for reforms
g but by turning deaf ear to the con
temptible cry of anything to win,
and by announcing an honest am
/, STRAIGHTFORWARD position on every pub
t tic auestion. If we would appeal u
: sincere men we must ourselves D
{ sincere. and our sincerity can b
I shown only by willingness TO SUI
: fer defeat rather than abandon tn
cause of good government.
S "Shall we accept imperialism as a.
Il accomplished fact in order to appeas
: those who are willing to indorse soV
c ernment without the consent OF III
: goyerned?' There can be no though
l, of such a surrender, for VINO woul
IS trust us to deal with other question
n if we prove false to the runuaments
Is principles of government?
IS "Shau we change our position
( the trust question in order to secur
F the support of the trust magnates
q, Not for a moment can we think OF l
We want the trust magnates agaln'
N MS not for us. Their opposition
S proof of our party's fidelity; their SUI
IS port would cast suspicion upon us.
4 s.Shall we abandon our advocacy
, bimetallism in order to conciiia'
in those who defeated the party in
r campaigns? Never. Some phase
m the money question is always betol
u congress and no one can preoict VINE
lie the coinage phase of the money que
a ton will again become acute NO r
as form OF any kind would be possib
er with the money changers in contr
w OF the party.
ht "Shall we change our position
We the tariff question in order TO win ov
to democrats who are enjoying the be
e. eflts OF protection? 1t Is absurd
is suggest It. for the same vicious pri
~ clple runs through all of the abus
Is from which the people suffer. And
no with the party's position ON the lab
On question. on the election of senate
ID. by the people. on watered stock co
Sc troll OF corporations and ON other
IL sues.
4