The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-11-19
BRYAN'S STATEMENT.

Lost-A War Begun" says:
To the Readers of the Commoner:
The election Of 1908 is over and the
returns disclose signal victory for
our opponents, but the principles for
which our party stands, the policies for
which our party contends-these are
not dead. A good proportion is not
made bad by rejection at the polls;
needed reform is not made unnecessary
by an adverse vote. The legislation
asked for by the democratic party in
it's last national platform was not of
temporary character-it was legislation
which will be of permanent advantage
when it is secured.
Does anyone believe that the Ameri-
can people will permanently permit
secrecy as to campaign contributions?
Does anyone believe that the American
people will permanently permit the will
of the voters to be thwarted as it is
now, by the election of senators through
legislatures? Does anyone believe that
the trusts will be permitted to perman-
emily exploit the masses? Does anyone
believe that the consumer will perman-
emily permit the tariff to be written by
the beneficiaries of that TARIFF. Does
anyone believe that the public will per-
manently tolerate estrangement be-
tween labor and capital? Does anyone
believe that the fifteen millions Of
depositors will forever permit their
savings to be jeopardized as at present?
Does anyone believe that the extrava-
gance of the government will go on for
ever unchecked? Does anyone believe
that our republic will permanently con-
sent to colonial policy with it's humil-
iations and financial burdens? There
must be party representing the peo-
pies protest against wrong in high
places, against corruption in politics
and against the oppression of the strug-
Cling masses, and the democratic party
must continue it's fight or dissolve. 1t
could not exist as plutocratic party.
During the last twelve years the
democratic party has accomplished more
out of power than the republican party
has accomplished in Office, and this is a
reward for those who fight for a right
eous cause. 1t would have been pleas
ant to have been able to reward wol thy
democrats with official positions, but
the most worthy OF the democrats arc
not looking for official positions, they
are looking for good government, and
they labor unselfishly for the promotion
OF good government. They will neither
be discouraged nor dismayed by de-
feat. They cannot cease to be interested
IN the government, for Indifference
would only invite worse abuses than
those from which we now suffer. The
fight must be continued because good
government is the richest legacy tuaC a
parent can leave to child.
AS for myself, let no one worry about
Of
mere incident in the life of those who
are devoted to reforms. The reform is
the essential thing. If one can advance
reforms by holding office then the hold
ing of office is iustlfia BILE, if one can best
advance reforms as a private citizen
then the holding of office is undesirable.
The world owes me nothing; have been
abandantiy compensated for what have
been able to do. Ny life will not be
long enough to repay the people for
which they have expressed. My graf
itude to those with whom have labored
surpasses language and the days of the
future will be devoted to work in the
interest of the people as l understand
that interest, and in behalf of those
reforms which seem to me to be the
who approve, and l shall not be deferred
by the criticism of those who disap-
prove. With an abiding faith in the
triumph of the truth and an unfaltering
confidence in the righteousness of our
cause, 1speak this word of encourage
ment to those who call themselves
friends. shall keep step with them
and march on. The measure of our work
cannot be taken in day. IL we are
right, as believe we are, it will vindi-
cate us; if we contribute as ] believe
we are contributing, to cause that is
founded in justice, our efforts will weigh
in the final victory.
Yea. though thou lie upon the dust
When they who helped thee flee in fear
Die full of hope and manly trust
Lie those who fell in battle here.
Another hand thy sword shall WELD
Another hand the standard wave,
Till from the trumpet'S mouth is pea led,
The blast of triumph DER thy grave"
BRYANT FOR CONGRESS.