The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1908-10-02
POLTTICAL HIsTDRY.

D MA-dOt. W. y. MCCONNElL.
The following historical sketch may
prove Of interest at the present time:
On March 16, 1892, in the house
OF representatives, of which Mr.. Bry-
an was then member, he delivered
a speech on the question Of tarin leg
islation. In painting an agonizing
picture Of what would be the result
OF continuance OF the Republican
or Mckinley tariff law he spoke as
follows:
Protection has been our cannibal
tree, and as one after another OF our
farmers has been driven by the force
of circumstances upon that tree and
has been crushed within its folds his
companions have stood around and
shouted, Great is protection" -
Thus In every state, 30 far az these
statistics have been collected, the
proportion of homecoming farmers
is decreasing and that of tenant farm
erB increasing. This means but one
thing. 1t means land of landlords
and tenants, and, backed by the his
tory Of every nation that has gone
gathering cattle during the week.
down, ! say to you that no people
can continue free people under q
free government when the great ma
jority of It's citizens are tenants Of q
small minority. Your system (pro-
tective tariff has driven the farm
owner from his land and substituted
the farm tenant"
How far this picture portrays the
America OF today or the America OF
any year since he made that speech
except the four years OF Democratic
free trade any American can answer.
Even In Mr.. Bryan's own state he can
find an answer right at his doors, for
the farm lands Of Nebraska have dou-
bled in value since the Dingiey pro-
tective tariff law went into eject.
In 1896 Mr.. Bryan, a. ever fertile
In expedients, had a remedy for the
financial and industrial embarrase-
lnent which had bankrupted the c0un-
try during the preceding four years;
that remedy being the free coinage
of silver at the ratio Of 16 to !. Luck.
lily, however, his prescription was re-
jected at the polls. In urging his own
election and the so-called cause OF
free silver, he made the following
statements at the time and places
named:
II reply that II protection has slain
its thousands the gold standard has
slain it's tens OF thousands. From
speech at Democratic national con-
vention, July, 1895.
"Do not let the publicans beguile
you about the future. The future is
written iash}ood crushed out Of you
by gold, From speech at Erie, Pa,
August, ,s!SsS. M
f"Ah, my friends. there is another
reason why people have gone into
the cities and left the farms. It ID
because your legislation has been
causing the foreclosure Of mortgages
upon the FARMS. : Mark my
words. II theEold standard goes on
and people c1htiDue TO complain. the
gold standard advocates, instead OF
trying to improve the condition OF the
people VIII be recommending that
YOU close your schools 90 that the
people will not realize how much they
are suffering. From speech at
Monmouth, Ill, October, 1896.
n But whom has the gold standard
slain?) What future did 1t write IN
bloodg What district schools did 1t
close? Again the condition OF the
county makes a calm reply confuting
the impassioned orator
Campaigning again In 1900 Mr..
Bryat decided that imperialism was
another danger to the country. II II
werd continued the Fourth OF July
wou11 be forgotten by all Americans
and khe spirit Of rs" would become
a thihg Of the past. Speaking at LIN
colnj Mr.. Bryan said:
Sees Death Of Patriotism.
The fight this year Will be TO
carri out the sentiment Of that song
we Nave 10 often repeated. My Coun-
try, t'Tis Of Thee II we lose. our
children and our childreD's children
Will bot succeed to the spirit Of that
song .Sand celebrations OF the Fourth
Of July will pass away, for the spirit
OF thA empire will be upon us.'
viii the sensible voters OF Idaho
help tb elevate to the highest once in