The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-26
5000 LISTEN ID } WILLIAM ]. BRYAN NebraSkan Speaks Upon Men
 and Party Principles REWARDS OF PUBLIC LIFE MT Bryan Mentions the Kentucky Sen atoriaI Election and Condemns the
 Democrats Who Voted For
 Bradley For Senator.
REWARDS OF PUBLIC LIFE

Richmond. Va, March 25-William J Bryan, speaking at the invitation of the legislature of Virginia, addressed ar audience of 5000 people tonight in the city auditorium Twice as many more throng- ed around the building in futile efforts to gain entrance. The members of the legis- lature, state and city officials and party leaders from all parts of the state were seated on the rostrum.
 Lieutenant Governor J. Taylor Ellison, who is the democratic state chairman presided and Governor Swanson intro- duced Mir Bryan.
 His public address tonight ended busy day in Richmond for Mir. Bryan. He came east especially to accept the invi- tation of the Virginia lawmakers and upon arrival early this morning he was met by Governor Swanson and taken to the executive mansion, where he was en- tertained while here Later he visited the capitol, held a reception for members of the senate and house and state off cals He was given a luncheon at the home of Lieutenant Governor Ellison and this evening took a drive about the city
 Bryan's Address.
 One in public life has much to bear that is unpleasant" said MT. Bryan in his speech tonight, but there are many compensations and great rewards. It is unpleasant for one to have his motives impugned and his acts misrepresented. Ii is unpleasant to be made the victim of editorial venom and abusive speech, yet when one has added together all that is unpleasant and weighs 1t against rewards of public service he can remember with delight, it makes him lose sight of that which stings and burns.
 Among the rewards which have come to me 1 shall treasure this invitation ex- tended me by the lawmakers of this grand old commonwealth. l am glad to come from my distant home and assure them of my deep appreciation of the com pliment and honor they have done me. l want to take this opportunity to tell the people of the south how my heart was touched by the loyalty of 12 years which they have shown me. not only for me, personally, but as the representative oi the ideas for which I stood.
 Nowhere in al the land, have l had more faftiiful friends tha9f in the states south of the Mason alie Dixon line. was bora in the north, lived in the west but you of the south be came my champions. In the national convention, when l was only 36 years of age, you did not ask where l was born. ysu simply asked the direction l was going, and you have walked side by side with me. l have no words to express my gratitude for all this de- votion. If I ever had doubt that democracy was sound at heart, l could not longer doubt it by the power Of corpora tions and a sub sidized press to ,vean you from my companionship.
 Welded To Principles.
 What better evidence that democ- racy was welded to principle than the fact that with nothing but an idea to prevent l have been able to keep you. l never had an office to give or money to bribe, or power to terrorize l had nothing to offer but democracy, as l had learned it from my father anl that has been sufficient for you.
 "I don't know whether 1 will hold public office or not. That has caused me no concern, but it would make my life sad if l should lose the confidence ana affection of those who have been my friends tn csc years. It is reward enough for me to know that We still cherish the same ideals, that we stili follow the same principles, and still support the same policies. It is nol necessary that the democrats shall agree on everything, some of tue teachings of our party Is that men must think for themselves and when people think for themselves you must expect differences among them."
 MT. Bryan's theme was Democracy Applied"
 On the subject of law making he said;
 Acting For Others.
 There Is a difference between the in- divldual who acts for himself and he who acts for others The first applica- tion of democracy concerns the duty of the representative. The individual can talk as he pleases and act as he pleases. The representative thinks and acts for others, not for himself. We have the se- cret ballot at the polls because it Is mo- bodys business. We have the public pal- lot in the legislature because it is every bodys business how the representative votes.'
 There is such a thing as embazzlemert of power" he said. And l believe the time will come that when man turns a public office to private advantage he will be whipped from society along with the embezzler of money. Just look at Kentucky. They elected a republican senator by the aid of four democratic votes'
 At this point there came d sharp cry of No from the audience. MT. Bryan looked in it's direction.
 Kentucky Question.
 Well. I'll not debate the question with you,'' ne shouted. "They were democrats when they were elected. or to be more exact, the people thought they were dem ocrats when they were elected. These four men were either elected after the decision at the primary or elected com mtted to the party Not one would have been elected to office if he had announced in advance that he would vote for re- publican. Not one would have voted for a republican if his constituents had sus- pected it. As an individual they might have done so; as representatives they oe- cuped a position of trust. and had no right to substitute their Judgment Tor the Judgment of those who elected them. There was no excuse for such betraye of a public trust A representative has no right to substitute his judgment for that of the people whose voice should be su- preme"