Weekly Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1908-1909, 1908-08-14
FARMERS GIVE
BIG STICK" AND
MONEY TO BRYAN
CANDIDATE RECEIVES GOURDLIKE
CARICATURES AND TELLS OF
"REFORMS."
CALLS REPUBLICANS HOLLOW.
Declares Policies of Roosevelt Have Been
Loudly Praised, but Nothing Has
Been Accomplished.


LINCOLN, Neb., Aug. 13.-Several
hundred farmers from Otoe county,
Neb., headed by II. H. Hanks of Ne
braska City, who came to Lincoln to at
tend the notification ceremonies, rode out
TO Fairview today and presented the
Democratic nominee with big stick
gourd. They also handed him cam
paign contribution of $50 subscribed by
fifty of their number.
IL accepting the gourd and the contri-
button, Mr.. Bryan assured his visitors
that if elected to the presidency the big
stick" would not be in evidence, beheV
ing it was easier 10 lead people through
their love than to control them through
their fear. He spoke as follows:
1T is fitting, Mr.. Hanks, that you
should be selected to speak for this
body of farmers from Otoe county, Tor
you are not only interested in farming.
but you represent an increasing element
among the agriculturists. With the de
velOpment of our agricultural colleges
and the higher education of our farmer
boys, the farmer is going to have a
larger influence in the shaping of govern
ment.
Takes Rap at Roosevelt.
''The gourd which you present GER
tainly looks very much like the big
stick as we have seen 1t carlcatured,
and | think that the gourd is htung
emblem to represent Republican pohcies
for the big stick which has been 50
loudly praised, has not accomplished u
great deal in the way of actual legisia-
ton. Republican leaders have SO stead
tasty opposed reform, that the big
stick has been quite empty, as empty as
this gourd, in actual results. Then, too,
the gourd may fifty symbolic the hollow
ness of Republican promises, ana the
fact that Republican policies have MOTH
ing in them of good to the farmer !
shall be glad to accept the big stick
gourd, although if the Democratic party
wins. it will not be in evidence.
The Democratic idea is not coercion
by force, but a 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.
have been informed that on the way to
Lincoln, a collection was taken up on
the train and that fifty farmers gave 81
a piece, to our campaign fund. L want
to thank them for this manifestation OF
their interest in our cause. In 1896 the
free excursion was one of the features
of the Republican campaign.
Why Reform Is Delayed
lone of the chief reasons for the de
lay of reform has been that a few great
corporations have been supplying the
Republican party with its campaign
funds. and then controlling the policies
after election. Our campaign fund IS
coming from the people, and the people
will control the administration in case
of Democratic victory. 1t marks the be-
ginning of Il new era in politics, an era
In which the government will really be
long to the people and be administered
by the people for their own protection
and for the advancement of the public
welfare
Mr.. Bryan showed no immediate eff
fects from his exertions Of yesterday,
and today resumed the usual routine
of receiving callers and preparing
speeches, which he will deliver within
the next two weeks.