Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-02
Subject Of Bryapis Speech at
Des Mtines
AT JEFFERSON DINNER
SAYS PHRASE BEST DESCRIBES
TENDENCY IN NATION.
Sees Evidences Everywhere of Peoples
Determination to; Assert Them
selves in Party Management.

DIES MONIES. Iowa, April 1.-"Back to
the people" was the subject of William j.
Bryan's address tonight at the Jefferson
banquet of Iowa democrats Back to the
people" he said, lis the phrase that best
describes the tendency which is manifesting
Itself in the nation and in most of the
states For period of years the tendency
was toward corporate domination and the
voice of the people grew weaker and weak
er on the comparison with the influence OF
money. But the tide has changed and we
see evidences everywhere of determine
tion on the part of the masses to assert
themselves in the management of parties
and in the conduct of the government"
In support of these statements Mr. Bryan
cited the agitation in favor Of primary law
in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and
elsewhere
Sentiment Crysta1lizing.
Continuing, Mr.. Bryan said:
Public sentiment is gradually crystalliz-
ing to the proposition that the people have
a right to have what they want in gov
eminent and this, I need not tell you. is
the democratic position. To deny either
the capacity of the people for self govern
ment or the right OF the people to regulate
their own affairs and to deal with all ques-
tons that concern them is treason to our
theory Of government and this treason Is
about to be rebuked by revival Of faith
in the people,
This tendency to restore to the people
their lost rights and to put them in pos
session Of their own affairs is not going to
stop with the trust question with the
railroad question. 1t will extend to every
issue. When applied to the tariff question,
1t will put an end to the system that has
been In vogue for quarter of century,
under which the manufacturers have been
permitted to write the schedules and de-
termine the amount of the collections that
they must take from the people through the
operation of high tariff laws.
Capitalist and Laborer.
The application of this principle will
bring together the capitalist and the labor
er, even the financial question, which has
not only been overshadowed by the ques-
ton of monopoly, but has lessened in i'm
portance by the increased volume of money
this question will also feel the impulse of
the movement. back to the people, The
doctrine that few financiers can safely be
permitted to dictate the financial policy of
the nation will be- overthrown with the
overthrow of the doctrine that railroad
magnates can safely be allowed to control
the traffic of the nation, or trust magnates
the industries of thetcountry.
THE democratic position is being vim
dictated, and the democrats face the future
with hope and courage. The last election
proved the folly of the attempt to make
the democratic party a conservative party
or competitor with the republican party
for the favor of the trusts and syndicates.
Radical Element in Control.
1.-THE aggressive and progressive element
the radical eleseent if you please-of the
democratic party is again in control of the
party. The democratic party is again
united and 1t is united upon the basis of a
forward movement. The democrats are
ready for the fight of 1908.
Wherever in any state republican re-
formers propose legislation in the interest
of the people they will receive democratic
support, and the democrats will thus prove
the sincerity of their purpose. If through
initiative reforms are accomplished demo-
Gratis will share in the honor of securing
these reforms. and IL republicans fail to
secure reforms the efforts made will furnish
an education Of which the democrats can
take advantage in their next appeal to the
voters