Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1908-08-19
BRYAN CLAPS BAN
ON THE BIG Stick
HOLLOW GoURD PRESENTED TO
CANDIDATE IS INCENTIVE
FOR AN ADDRESS.
CoMMONER WEIGHS
LOVE AGAINST FORCE
Nebraskan Receives Farmers and
Makes Declaration That Evil May
Be Eliminated by Other Than
Harsh Methods.

nunQreQ farmers from OtOe county
Nebraska, headed by H. H. Hanks OF
Nebraska City, who came to Lincoln
to attend the notification ceremonies
rode out to Fairview Thursday and
presented the Democratic nominee
with a big stick" gourd. They also
handed him campaign contribu.
ton of $50 by so of their number.
In accepting the gourd and the con;
tribution, Mr.. Bryan assured his visit.
ors that if elected to the presidency
the big stick would not be in evi.
dence, believing it was easier to lead
people through their love than to con.
troll them through their fears. He
spoke as follows:
1T is fitting, Mr.. Hanks, that you
should be selected to speak for this
body of farmers from Otoe county, for
you not only are interested in farm.
Ing, but represent an increasing ele.
ment among the agriculturists. You
have prepared yourself not only for
the work of a farmer, but for partici-
patton in all the departments of life's
work. With the development of our
agricultural colleges and the higher
education of farmers boys, the farm
or is to have a larger influence in the
shaping of government.
Says Big Stick Does Little.
"The gourd which you present GER
tainly looks very much like the big
STICK as we have seen it caricatured,
but think that the gourd is fitting
emblem to represent Republican pol
icies, for the big stick which has
been so loudly praised, has not accom-
plished a great deal in the way of
actual legislation. Republican leaders
have opposed reform so steadfastly
that the big stick has been quite
empty-as empty as this gourd-in
actual results. Then, tbo, the gourd
may fifty symbolic the hollowness of
Republican promises and the fact that
Republican policies have nothing in
them of good to the farmer.
II shall be glad to accept the big
stick gourd, although if the Democrat
ic party wins, the big stick will not
be in evidence. The Democratic idea
is not coercion by force, but justice
that will appeal to the heart of men.
for it is easier to lead people through
their love than to control them
through their fears.
Il have been informed that on the
way to Lincoln a collection was taken
on the train, and that so farmers
gave one dollar apiece to our cam
paign fund. wish to thank them for
this manifestation of their interest in
our cause
Free Excursion Abolished,
In 1896 the free excursion was one
OF the features of the Republican
campaign. It is significant that you
not only pay your fare to attend this
notification meeting, but, in addition,
make this contribution to the cam
paign fund. One of the chief reasons
for the delay Of reform has been
that few great corporations have
been supplying the Republican party
with it's campaign fund and then con-
trolling the policies after election. Our
campaign fund is coming from the
people, and the people will control the
administration in case of Democratic
victory.
This marks the beginning of new
era In politics-an era in which the
government will really belong to the
people and be administered by the
people for their own protection and
for the advancement of the public wei.
fare''
Mr.. Bryan showed no immediate ef-
fects from his exertions of Wednes-
day, and resumed the routine of re-
ceiving callers and preparing speeches
which he will deliver within the next
two weeks.