Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-19
ON A MORAL PLATFORM
DEMOCRATS OPPORTUNITY TO
REACH THE PEOPLE
w. J. Bryan's Advice at Lincoln "Dol-
lar Dinner"-Wants Kansas City
Resolutions Endorsed.

A dispatch from Lncoln, NED, last nlgnl
says: A formal welcome to W. ]. Bryan on
his return from Europe. taking the form OF
dollar dinner" was held tonight, and
it was attended by nearly 100 democrats
The dinner was intended as TESTIMONIAL
of regard and sympathy with Mr.. Bryan's
political policies and to mark his entry in
to active participation into the pre-conven-
ton campaign Mr.. Bryan spoke to 1.-THE
Moral ISSUE" His speech was heartily ap-
plauded. He said:
Instead Of talking Of concessions and
compromises, 1t is time for honest and ag-
gressive action. We are confronted with
a condition that may well alarm the
thoughtful and patriotic. We find corrup-
ton everywhere. Voters are bought at so
much a head, representatives in our city
governments are profting by their positions
and even federal officers, are sell ng 1nf1u-
ence. What is the cause3 The commercial
spirit that puts price on everything and re-
solves every question into will it pay"
This commercialism has given popularity
to that theory Of government which permits
the granting of privileges to favored few
and defends the theory by an attempt to
show that the money thus given directly
finds it's way indirectly back into the pock-
cts of the taxpayers.
1--WE see this theory in operation on every
side. The protective tariff nschedules Illus
trate it, our financial system rests upon it;
the trusts hide themselves behind it, and
imperialists are substituting this theory for
the Constitution. Is 1t strange that money
is used to carry elections?
eff party makes certain classes rich by
law, will 1t not naturally turn to those
classes for contributions during it's cam
paign. If Congress votes millions of dollars
annually to tariff barons, money magnates
and monopolStS, is 1t not natural that al
dermen should traffic in the small legisla-
ton of city council? And If officials high
and low use the government as if it were
private asset, is it surprising that many in
dividuals, who are without official position,
yield to the temptation to sell the only
political influence they have, namely, the
ballot. What is the remedy? There is only
one remedy. an appeal to the moral sense
of the country, an awakening of public con-
science.
And how can this appeal be made? Not
by showing greater desire for the spoils
of Office than for reforms, but by turning a
deaf ear to the contemplate cry of any
thing to win,' and by announcing an honest
and straightforward position on every pub
lie question If We would appeal to sincere
men, we must ourselves be sincere, and our
sincerity can be shown only by a willing
ness to suffer defeat rather than to aban-
don the cause of good government.
Shall we accept imperialism as an ac
complished fact in order to appease those
who are willing to indorse government
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 funda-
mental principles of self-government
Shall we change our position on the trust
question in order to secure the support of
the trust magnates? Not for moment can
we think of it. We want the trust mag
mates against US, not for US, -.
Shall we abandon our advocacy Of BIZ
netallism In order to concilate those who
defeated the party in other campaigns?
Never. Some phase of the money cues
ton is always before Congress and no one
can predict when the coinage phase Of the
money question will again become acute.
No reform Of any kind would be possible
with the money changers in control of the
party.
Shall we change our position on the
tar1n question In order to win iover demo-
Gratis who are enjoying the benefits of
protection? 1t Is absurd to suggest it. for
the same vicious principle runs through
all OF the abuses from which the people
suffer. And so with the partys position
on the labor question, the election of SEN
ators by the people, on watered stock
control of corporations and other issues
THE Kansas City platform Is sound on
every plank, and the first act of the next
democratic convention should be to re-
affirm 1t In Its entirety, and its next act
should be the addition of new planks In
harmony with it and covering such new
questions as demand consideration.
Then the convention should select can
dldates who believe in the: platform. can
oidates whose democracy win not be an
issue in the campaign, and whose fidelity
to democratic principles will not be
doubted at the election. And then the
committee should announce that it will
neither ask nor receive contributions from
those who are intrenched behind the bull
Warks which we are attacking. And then
let us defend our position. not on the low
ground Of dollars and cents but by show
ing how republican policies violate moral
principles and invite the punishment that
sooner or later overtakes the wrongdoer.
"W1ll such course insure victory? The
best that our party can do is to deserve
victory. and an appeal to the conscience
OF the American people is sure to win ulti-
mediate success"
Grief over the death Of his wife caused C.