The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-07
ALL PRAISE ROOSEVELT.
Democrats Celebrate New Orleans
Battle Anniversary at Omaha.

Omaha, Neb., Jan. -Four hun
dred guests were present at the an
nual gathering of the Jacksonian
club of Nebraska at its celebration
last night of the anniversary of the
battle of New Orleans.
William j. Bryan was the guest of
honor and other Democratic leaders
of more or less prominence in nation
al and state politics had places at the
speakers table. These Included ex-
Governor Thomas of Colorado and
Congressman Hitchcock of Omaha.
1.-The Moral Element in Pending
Issues" was the subject of Mr.. Bry-
ans address, which in part. was as
follows:
mo question is ever settled until
the moral element in. the question is
discussed and decided Nothing but
moral issue-that is, an issue in
volving 5ustice-stirs the heart The
time is ripe for, another appeal to
conscience, and indications point to a
greater study of public questions from
an ethical standpoint. The corrupt
ing influences which have flowed from
mercenary politics have at last ex-
cited attention and there is a search
ing of men and Of measures such as
has not been known in recent times
"The presidents popularity is
largely, if not entirely, due to the be-
lief among the masses that he wants
to do what is right, and that he is
trying to secure justice to those who
have been. unjustly dealt with. He has
made many mistakes, and great ones,
but these mistakes have, to a large
extent. been overlooked by those who
believe that his heart is right and
that he means we'll. This is only an
indication of the public attitude. An
other indication is to be found in the
influence of the voters.
mot since the war have party lines
hung SO loosely, and this is the natur-
al result when the voters become
earnest in their desire that wrong
shall be overthrown and right vim
dicated. .N
People differ as to the relative i'm
portance of the different issues, some
placing the trusts first some regarding
the tariff question as paramount and
others believing the railroad question
most important. But the fact Is that
they all point to the same issue, and
that those who take the peoples side on
one of these questions are likely to take
the peoples side on either of the other
two. The issue presented in each and
all Of these questions is whether the
government shall be administered in
the interest of a few favOriteS or In the
interest of the whole people; whether
the people shall be taxed that a few
may be enriched. The trust tax the en-.
tire population for the benefit of a conf
paratively small number of stockhold-
the entire public through import duties,
and the railroads levy tribute upon the
whole country through extortionate
rates. %
1--WE have had selffshness enough in
law, or selfishness defying the law, I'M
til the average man has become the
victim of injustice practiced on every
hand.
For years the Republican leaders
supported their policies by adroit ap-
peals to the interest of the different
classes, and with press -subservient to
predatory wealth they have deceived
and deluded many voters. They are not
prepared to defend their position on
any public question before the bar of
the public conscience, Some of the
more independent OF the Repubhcans
realize this and are uttering words of
warning, but the Republican leaders
are as blind as Pharoah.
I'm a multitude of ways the moral
sentiment is manifesting itself and un-
less the signs of the times are niSlead-
ing there is going to be return to the
Jeffersonian and Jacksonian doctrine
of Equal rights to all and special priv
ileges to none.'"
A feature of almost every speech of
the evening was praise of President
Roosevelt who, it was stated, has been
carving out many of the principles of
the Democratic platform of 1886 in spite
of the opposition of his own party.
ct was in Chicago when the Kn1cker-
booker Trust company failure was an
nounced," said Ex-Governor Ihomas,
"and never saw so many people In my
life who were anxious to see even a
demonetized silver dollar. After the
Christian Science money, had been in
circulation for a few weeks many OF
these certificates were ready to offer a
large bonus on their face value II they
Ioieht he able to say, I know that my
redeemer hveth.
This declaration was made in connec-
tion with a discussion of sound money.
Governor Thomas in discussing the de-
mand for an elastic currency oecloeo ~
favor of issue by the government or
four hundred million in greenbacks to
be loaned to the banks at per cent
interest in times of financial stringency:
This, coupled with Mr.. Bryan's plan OF
government guarantee for o anano de1
posts, he said, would prevent nnanclai
no ,,jo. in the future.