The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-11-17
A BATTLE LOST
A War Just Begun, Says William
Jennings Bryan,
DEMOCRATIC LEADER

Declares That the Party Must Fight
On or be Dissoyvetl-The Princi-
pies and Policies of Democracy
Are Not Dead-The People VIII
Yet Turn to 1t.
Lincoln, Neb., Nov ia bat
tie lost-a war but begun" is the
caption of the first page editorial in
this weeks issue of William J. Bry-
ans newspaper.
"The election of 1908 is over and
the returns disclose a signal victory
for our opponents, but the principles
for which our party stands, the poll
tcies for which our party contends,
1nese are not dead. A good propo j.
ton is not made bad by rejection ut
tine polls; needed reform is not
made unnecessary by an adverse
vote.
THE legislation asked for by the
Democratic party in its national plat
form was not of temporary charact-
er. it was legislation which will be Of
permanent advantage when it is Sc
cured
Does any ore believe that thr
American pc pie will permanently
permit secrecy as to campaign COZ
tributions?
docs any one believe that tic
American people will permanently
permit the will of the voters to be
thwarted, as it is now by the 'elec-
ton of senators through legis-
latures?
Does any one believe that tce
trusts will be permitted permanently
to exploit the masses?
Does any one believe that the
consumer will permanently permit
the tariff to be written by the priv
legged of that tariff?
Does any one believe that the
public will permanently tolerate
estrangement between labor and cap
ital?
Does any one believe that the
fifteen millions of depositors will for.
ever permit their savings to be jeop-
ardized as at present?
docs anyone believe that the ex-
travagance of the government will
go on forever unchecked?
''Does any one believe that our re-
public will permanently consent 70
a colonial policy with its humilia-
tions and financial burdens?
There must be a party represent
ing the peoples protest against
wrong politics and against the op-
pressing of politics and against the
oppression of the struggling masses.
The Democratic party must continue
its fight or dissolve. 1t could not
exist as plutocratic party. q
During the twelve years the DEM
ocratic party has accomplished more
out of power than the Republican
party has accomplished in Office, and
this is sufficient reward for those
who fight for righteous cause. It
would have been pleasant to have
been able to reward worthy Dem'.-
Gratis with official positions; they
are looking for good government.
and they labor unselfshly for the
promotion OF good Government. Thev
will neither be discouraged nor dis
mayed by defeat. They cannot
cease to be interested for the gov
ernment, for Indifference would only
invite worse abuses than those from
which we now suffer. The fight
must be continued, because a goo /
government is the richest legacy that
4 parent can leave to child.
''As for myself, let no one worry
about my future. The holding OF
Office is mere incident in the life
of those who are devoted to reforms.
The reform is the essential thing. II
one can advance reforms by holding
Office, then the holding of Office is
justifable. If one can best advance
reforms as private citizen. then
the holding Of Office is undesirable.
The world owes me nothing. I am
abundantly compensated for what 1
have been able to do. My life will
not be long enough to repay the
people for the confidence which they
hare expressed. My gratitude to
those with whom | have labored sur
passes language, and the days of tha
future to work in the interest of the
people as | understand that interest
and in behalf Of those reforms which
seem to me to be the best.
Il invite the cooperation Of those
who approve, and l shall not be de-
TERED by the criticism of those wIO
disarproue. With an abiding faith
in the triumph Of the truth and an
unfaltering confidence in the right
eousness OF oar cause, l speak this
word of encouragement to those who
call themselves friends. I shall keep
step with them and march on. The
measure of our work cannot be taken
in day. II we are right, as | be-
lieve we are, it will vindicabc us. #
We contribute, as / believe we are
contributing, to cause that IS
founded in justice, our efforts will