The semi-weekly messenger., 1908-04-03
A BRYAN AFFAIR
Fifteen Thousand People Crowded
I'm Hall and Listened to Speeches.
Bryan Criticises President for Not
Choosing LaFallette as Els S1c-
oessor-Taft Having Uphill FisI,.

Kansas City, March 30.-Demo-
erats from all parts Of Missouri to
the number of 1000 attended a dol
lar banquet in convention hall to-
night under the auspices of the Young
Democratic Club of Missouri William
J. Bryan and JudSon Harmon were
the guests of honor and principal
speakers. Some $4,000 persons throng-
ed the hall as auditors and cheered
the speakers.
Democratic clubs in St Louis, st
Joseph and other cities of the state
sent delegates to the dinner. Among
the guests were four former COVER
nors of Missouria-T. T. Crittenden.
David F. Francis, Senator William
q. Stone and Alexander NJ Dockery-
az also was the present governor,
Joseph Folk. All of the candidates
for state officers were present
The meeting was really a Bryan
affair, spontaneous enthusiasm mark
cd every mention OF his candidacy for
the presidency. The reception accord
Cd Mr.. Harmon was no less cordial
and suggestions promising him high
honors from his party were enths-
siasticaliy received.
Mr.. Bryan's opening statement
that I'VE have met to begia the caan-
paign of 1908 and to present those
principles ana policies which ought
to appeal to progressive republicans
as well as to traditional democrats"
was the key note of his speech. In
giving his approval OF Senator La
Follete as the republican candidate
for president Mr.. Bryan said:
piclycd
Senator LEFollette, a real reformer;
If the republican party had rallied
to Senator LaFollettf='s support, it
could have compelled the confidence
of reform republicans.
Mr.. Bryan said that without the
support Of the administration Secre-
tary Taft would scarcely have
state in the convention, and, with
the presidents support, he is having
an uphill fight. AR. Bryan said that
Taft made the best man the presi-
dent could find among his cabinet
officers, but that Secretary Taft's sup
eriority >over his colleagues was dire,
not to his positive virtues, but to the
fact that none of the rest of them
had any reform tendencies whatever.
Mr.. Bryan said the Roosevelt senti-
ment YVES strong in the Mississippi
and the Missouri valleys.
What is known as the Roosevelt
sentiment" Mr.. Bryan continued lis
not 80 much attachment to person as
devotion to an idea with which the
person has identified himself. And
what is this idea? 1t rs the idea that
conditions are not what they snould
be. Before a remedy can be applied,
the need of a remedy must be admit
al ho rt
has been pointing out the abuses,
which have been growing under re-
publica rule, but these abuses have
been denied by republican leaders and
the country has been congratulated
upon the possession of everything es-
Sential to it's welfare Republican
platforms have been full Of fulsome
eulogy Of the republican party and
barren OF promises OF reform.
Even the platform for 1904, upon
which President Roosevelt was elect
ed, was silent in regard to govern
mental evils and gave no hope of re-
lief 10 the surprise of democrats
and to tho surprise of republicans as
well, the president Immediately be-
gan to recommend remedial ilegisla-
ton, taking as his guide the platform
declarations of the democratic party.
He did not follow in the footsteps of
democracy with any desire to compli-
ment the democrats or to encourage
them, but simply because the demo
Gratis had pTe-empted all the ground
in front, and he could not go for
ward without trespass1ng upon Ihelr
land
"It is not strange that his sugges-
tions were hailed with delight by de-
yith Sn6 q
republicans. Whether the presiden
cultivated a reform sentiment in TIE
republican party or only revealed q
previously existing sentiment, VIC
shall never know.
1T is sufficient that the sentiment
is now SO strong that the president is
praised by the masses just in proper
ton as he assails the predatory cor
porations and pleads for reforms that
look to the restoration of equity and
fairness in the government. The pres
ident is not a democrat, for he leans
toward Hamilton. rather than toward
Jefferson and favOrs a concentration
OF power in Washington and cen
tralization of government which de-
mocrats regard as distinctly hostile
to the national welfare. 1t is proof
that the reform sentiment in the re-
publican party is not only large Out
militant, that the corporate interests.
powerful as they are, have not Deen
able to coerce the middle-west into
the support of only republican canol-
dates who are regarded as reactlon-
arv. This in itself is the most hope
full sign of a democratic victory fol
the president having aroused this SEN
timent, the republican party must
satisfy the expectations excited OF
lose the support of the rank and hle
Of the party.
Now, what prospect is there thai
the republican national convention
will satisfy the urgent demands OF
reform republicans? l venture Il