New-York tribune., 1908-01-24
RIRNINGH4MS WELCOME.
Messrs. Bryan and Harmon Both
Discuss States Rights.

birmingham Ala. Ja1 23-Rirmingham rendered
20 w J. Bryan and Judson Harmon remarkable
welcome to-day. Mr.. Bryan made public address
this morning to a crowd which taxed the capacity
IF The F2iio1 Theatre. He spoke briefly. and when
he was introduced The next President there
was a great demonstration. The speaker modestE
said that his friends should have prepared him for
the shock occasioned by such a suggestion i am
entirely unworthy he said
Mr. BRYAN Mr. Harmon. Governor Conner and
Iieutenan: Governor Gray spoke at the dinner
given by the Board Of Trade tonight in honor of
the visitors Attorney General W. s. Jackson of
New York have been guest also hut tele-
graphed this morning that important legal matters
made il impossible for him to be present
In his speech this morning Mr.. Bryan predicted
Democratic victory this year, and based his pre-
dction a united Democratic party and DIVIDED
Republican party. He said that the principles Of
the Democratic platform of the past had been vim
dcated by their adoption by the Republicans If
the Republican party matches the Democratic egg
he said The Democrats entitled TO some of the
credit"
MI Bryan also said that the doctrine of states
rights was dead TO the Northern states as it
was 10 the states of the South He praised Gov
ernor Conner. Governor Glenn and Governor Smith
for the fight they have made for the right of
states to regulate corporations doing intrastate
business. and added that 1t was absurd for a fed
eraI judge himself up greater than state.
The dinner tonight attended by prominent
Democrats from all parts Of Alabama and included
every state official Mr.. Harmon i'll his speech dis
cussed rights, saying. in part:
Two excuses advanced for federal intrusion
into state affairs One is that the states do too
little. and the other is that of them do too
much. in the way of railroad and corporate regua-
ton and other corrective measures 1t is often
| hard to draw the line between useful regulation
harmful neddng. and harder still TO have that
line respected when politics unfortunately become
involved with questions relating TO business and
public feeling is aroused
great many things none the less home af-
! fairs because they may be become remotely re-
lated to commerce among the states. the regula-
ton of which is granted exclusively to Congress
If the federal authority should be expended over
! all these the states would soon become mere re
gions. The preteXt for such extension Of power
| Is that railroads. telegraph, etc have brought
| about the commercial unity Of the states But
| that is reason at all, because such commercial
unity the very object in view in framing the
clause which gives to Congress the exclusive power
10 regulate commerce among the states and, as
the clause accomplishes the purpose intended why
seek twist il out Of shape by forced Construc-
ton?
II is only when each government maintains its
own authority and respects the authority of the
other and the departments Of each attend to their
respective duties without meddling with the
duties of the others. that the people may their
several ways in business and industry without risk
10 their political inheritance which outvaues all
! gain.