The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1904-01-20
Platform Still Sound
Bryan has Not Changed His Mind
Since Kansas City Convention.

Lincoln, Neb., Jan. Io.-A
formal welcome to w. ]. Bryan
on his return from Europe in the
form Of dollar dinner was held
last night and was attended by
nearly TOO democrats, made up
principally Of men in full sympathy
and accord with Mr.. Bryan's poll
Icy. Ii was intended as a testimon
ial Of regard and sympathy with
Mr.. Bryan's political ideas and to
mark his entry into active partici-
patton in the free silver campaign.
Mr.. Bryan held a reception prev
iously. His speech, which was ex
tended, was given close attention
and was heartily applauded, his de-
claration that the Kansas City plat
form was sound in every plank and
must be reiterated, together with
his demand that the nominees Of.
the St. Louis convention be in ac-
cord with that platform, bringing
0ut tile demonstration Of the eve
lining
Speaking 10 the toast, THE
Moral Issue. Mr. Bryan spoke as
follows:
Instead Of talking concessions.
and compromises, it is time for hon
est and aggressive action. We are
confronted with a condition that
may well alarm the thoughtful.
We find corruption everywhere.
/ Voters are bought at 50 much per
head, representatives in our city
government are prohting by their
position, and even federal officers
are selling their influence. What
is the cause2- The commercial spirit
that pats a price on everything.
| is it strange that money is used to
lcarry elections2 If party makes
certain classes rich BY law, will it
not turn to those classes for contri-
button for the campaign If con
4 gress votes millions Of dollars an
Imuallv to tariff harons. money mag
mates and monopolisis, is il surpris-
ling that other men should traffic in
the small city councils, is il sur
prising that many individuals who
are without official position yield to
the temptation to sell the only po-
llitical influence they have, namely,
the ballot7
What is the remedys There is
but one remedy-an appeal to the
moral sense Of fhe country-the a.
wakeniug Of the public conscience.
And how can this appeal be madel
Not BY showing greater desire for
the spoils Of Office than for reform
but by turning deaf year to the
contemplate cry Of anything to
win and hv announcing an honest
and straightforward position on ev-
cry public question If we would
appeal to sincere men we must our
selves be sincere and we should
rather suffer defeat than abandon
the government.
This fact should appeal to those
who stand by the principle to be
attained by the people.
Shall we change our positionon
the trust question in order to secure
the help Of the magnate3 No, we
want the trust magnates against us
not for rs. Their opposition is
proof Of our party's fidelity, their
I support would cast suspicion upon
as.
Sliail we abandon our advocacy
Of bimetallism III order to conciliate
Those who defeated the party in
other campaigns Never Some
phase Of the Ioney question is al
ways before congress and the bime-
taliicquestiou will always be before
the people.
shall we change our position OH
/ thc tariff question: 1t is absurd tc
suggest it after knowing all the i'll.
1 The people suffer from It,
"The Kansas City platform !.
{ soond in every plank and the FIRST
4 act Of the next convention should
be TO reafirm it in its entirety anC
i its next act should be the addition
! of new planks in harmony with il
+ and covering such new questions a.
c demand consideration.
+ Then the convention shoult
Il elect candidates who believe in th