Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-16
W. ]. BRYAN REJOICES
CREDITS PRESIDENTS POPULAR
ITY TO DEMOCRACY.

BOSTON, March 16.-william Jennings
Bryan was the guest yesterday Of the demo-
cratic state committee Of Massachusetts,
and at banquet yesterday afternoon. In
the Quincy House. he delivered en- address
In which he touched upon various points
Of democratic doctrine which. he declared,
had been indicated by recent events.
Taking up the story that he was the
author Of the democratic platform of 1895,
Mr.. Bryan declared that he wrote but little
Of that platform and deserved little Of the
credit for It, but that he had more to do
with the platform of 1900.
II think" asserted Mr.. Bryan. "that If
we had had vote unpurchased and unin-
ed by an overwhelming majority. shall
not discuss the amount of fraud that was
perpetrated In 1896. but we had against US
the largest corporation fund that was ever
used In q campaign.
Praises Presidents Position.
No one rejoiced more than he in the
vindication that had come to. democratic
ideas, for dearer to him than any Office
was the triumph of the things for which
they had been fighting. he said.
And I rejoice so much" said Mr..
Bryan, that I never lose an opportunity
to thank the President for what he has
done. The President was one of my oppo-
nents. No one ever used harsher language
than he did toward our cause. Yet l
want no man in the community to antici-
pate me in hearty commentator Of any
thing he does that believe is right. l do
not know what the Presidents attitude
will be in the coming campaign, but 1t Is
certain that he cannot take back what he
has said about our ideas. Ten years ago
they called our ideas insanity. yet on no
question that we ever discussed have we
been more indicated than on our idea that
h. 1T vxrtn ND
better times
THE republican party has been in power
for ten years. with undisputed rule. If 1t
has not done anything that ought to have
result? We find the republican party not
so popular today. The party has gone on
the toboggan slide, SO that now 1t has Just
one man whom 1t regards as popular enough
to be the candidate for President. Why
Is it that the President alone has escaped
the paralysis that has fallen upon all the
rest? There is only one explanation, and
that is that his popularity is due to- his
following the democratic doctrine"
Mr.. Bryan asserted that the slump In
stocks Of which the men in high finance
complained was caused by the very men
who were complaining.
'If 1 may venture a prediction" he
added, II would say that in the fight that's
coming the democratic party will be looked
upon as the protector of the small investor
against the manipulation Of the sharks that
Says Only Roosevelt Can Beat Bryan.
Among the guests were Mayor John F.
Fitzgerald Of Boston, George Fred Williams
of Boston, and Alexander Troup of New
Haven. president of the New England DEM
ocratic Progress League. In speech Mr..
williams referred to Mr.. Bryan as the
acknowledged leader Of the national demo-
cratic party saying directly to Mr.. Bryan:
hn,ra yfyhk 81 To rNIo In hn
position Of a candidate for office until you
have authorized 1t, but 1 take no undue
advantage of my position and believe
represent the sentiment of Massachusetts,
our party rests upon your shoulders,
whether you will 1t not.
"If President Roosevelt abides by his re-
fusal to become a candidate. no republican,
unless he be more radical than the Presi-
dent. can prevent the election Of William
Jennings Bryan to the presidency"