Weekly Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1908-1909, 1908-11-13
BRYAN KEEPS UP
WAR FOR REFORM
IN THE COMMONER, HE DECLARES
HOLDING OFFICE is NOT ONLY
WAY TO SERVE.
PARTY ACCOMPIISHES MUCH.
Believes There Must Be Party to Rep
resent Protests of People Against
Wrong in Government"
GIVES FRIENDS ENCOURAGEMENT.

LINCOLN, Neb., Nov. 12.-Bidding
his followers not to despair, but press on
III the fgho, W. j. Bryan declares he
takes comfort in the result of the cleo
ton, and is not cast down He says the
Democrats out of office have done more
than the Republicans in Office during the
last twelve years, and that is some sat
isfactiOn. The forthcoming issue of his
Commoner will contain Mr.. Bryans own
ideas of the election and his plans for
the future. He says:
The election OF 1908 Is over and the re-
turns disclose signal victory for our OPP
ponents, but the principles for which our
party stands, the policies for which our
party contends-these are not dead A good
proposition is not made bad by rejection at
the polls. A needed reform is not made un-
necessary by an adverse vote. The legiSia-
ton asked for by the Democratic party in
its last national platform was not Of tenn
porary character-it was legislation which
will be of permanent advantage when it
is secured.
Cannot Thwart People.
Does anyone believe that the American
people Will permanently permit secrecy as
TO campaign contributions? Does anyone
believe that the American people will per-
manently permit the will Of the voters to
De thwarted, as 1t Is now, by the election
OF senators through Legislatures? Does
anyone believe that the trusts will be per-
mitted to permanently exploit the masses 2
Does anyone believe that the consumer will
permanently permit the tariff to be written
by the benehciaries of that tariff? Does
anyone believe that the public will perma-
ana capital? Does anyone believe that the
fifteen millions of depositors will forever
permit their savings to be 1eopardized as at
present! Does anyone believe that the
on forever unchecked? Does anyone believe
that our republic will permanently consent
TO a colonial policy with its humiiiations
and financial burdens?
There must be a party representing the
peoples protest against wrong in high
places, against corruption in politics and
masses, and the Democratic party must
continue its fight dissolve. it could not
exist as a piutocratic party.
Democrats Accomplish Much.
During the last twelve years the Demo
cratic party has accomplished more out OF
power than the Republican party has &C
complished in office. and this is a sufficient
reward for those who fight for righteous
cause. 1t would have been pleasant to
Gratis with official positions; they are look
ing for good government, and they labor
unselfishly for the promotion of good gov
nor dismayed by defeat. They cannot
cease to be interested in the government,
for Indifference would only invite worse
abuses than those from which we now SUIT
good government is the richest legacy
that parent can leave to a child.
AS for myself, let no one worry about
my future. The holding of office is q mere
incident in the life of those who are de-
voted to reforms. The reform is the essen
tial thing. If one can advance reforms by
holding office, then the holding of office is
JuStifable; 1t ore can best advance reforms
as a private citizen, then the holding OF
Office is undesirable
The world owes ue nothing; | have been
abundantly compensated for what | have
been able to do. My life will not be long
port, and for the confidence which they
have expressed. My gratitude to those
with whom l have labOred surpasses Ian
guage and the days of the future will be
devoted to work in the interest of the Yeo-
pie as l understand that interest, and in
behalf of those reforms which seem to me
to be the best. | invite the cooperation of
those who approve, and / shall not he de-
TERED by the criticism of those who dis
approve.
Encourages His Friends.
With an abiding faith in the triumph of
the truth and an unfaltering confidence III
the righteousness of our cause, ! speak this
word of encOurag cement to those who call
themselves friends. / shall keep steps with
them and march on. The measure of our
work cannot he taken in n day. 1t we are
right, as ] believe we are, it will not vindi-
are contributing. to cause that is founded
in justice. our efforts Will weight i'll the
final victory
Mr.. Bryan will not discuss the open
letter asking him to become an evan