The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-01-21
W. j. BRYAN ON POLITICS.
Outlines His Policy at "Dollar
Dinner" at Lincoln, Neb.
FINDS CORRUPTION EVERYWH ERE
Denounces Cry Of Anything to Win"
and Gives Democrats Advice On
Leading lssues-Wants Kansas City
Platform Reaffirmed.

and Gives Democrats ADVICE Oh
Leading lssues-Wsnts Kansas City
Platform Reaffrmed.
Lincoln. Neb. Jan. ia formal
welcome to w. j. Bryan on his return
from Europe, taking the form OF
dollar dinner" was held here. and /,
was attended by nearly 700 Democrats.
The dinner was intended as a testi-
monial OF regard and sympathy with
Mr. Bryans political policies and to
mark his entry into active paruclpa-
ton I'm the pre-convention campaign.
Mr. Bryan spoke on THE Moral Is
sue" His speech was heartily applaud
ed He said in part.
"Instead of talking Of concessions and
compromises. il Is time for honest and
aggressive action. We are confronted
with a condition that may we'll alarn
the thoughtful and patriotic We hnd
corruption everywhere Voters are
bought at 50 much a head. representa-
tiyes in our city governments are
prohting by their positions, and even
federal officers are selling influence.
What is the cause? The commercial
spirit that puts a price on everything
and resolves every question into will
il pay What is the remedy? There
is only one remedy. an appeal to the
mora sense OF the country, an awaN-
enine Of public conscience.
And how can this appeal be made?
Not by showing a greater desire for
the spoils Of Office than for reforms, but
by turning a deaf ear to the contempl-
bic cry Of anything to win and by an
nouncing an honest and straightfor-
ward position on every public quos-
ton.
Shall we accept Imperialism as al
accomplished fact in order to appease
those who are willing to endorse gov
eminent 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 if We
prove false to the fundamental princi-
pies OF self-gOyernment?
Shall we change our position on The
trust question in order to secure the
support of the trust magnates? Not
for a moment can we think OF il. We
want the trust magnates against rs.
not for MS.
Shall we abandon our advocacy OF
bi-metalism in order to conclliat'
those who defeated the party in other
campaigns? Never. Some phase OF the
money question is always before con-
gress.
shall We change our position on the
tariff question in order TO win over
Democrats who are enjoying the benc-
fits of protection? 1t is absurd to sug-
gest il, 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
10 reafiirm II in its entirety, and lis
next act should be the addition OF now
planks In harmony with il and cover
ing such new questions as demand con-
sheraton
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 he doubted al the election. And
then the committee should announce
that il will neither ask nor receive
contributions from those who are en-
trenchcd behind the bulwarks which
we are attacking And then let ms 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
Oyrrtakes The wrongdoer.
will such a course insure victory:
The best that our party can do is 20 de-
serve victory and an appeal 10 the
conscience of the American people l.
sure to win ultimately and offers the
best promise Of immediate success.