Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-08-14
THE BIG
STICK
FARMERs or NERRasK PRESENT
MIR. BRYAN WITH A "BIG
STICK" GouRD-CANIpAIGN
CONTRIBUTIONS.

IN IL III receipt OF invitations to visit
California. Massachusetts. Alabamr
and many other states. He has not
yet decided what states he will visit
and cannot make any engagements
am glad to say" MIR. Bryan re-
marked that all these invitations
assure me that | will receive the
electoral vote of not only Alabama
but OF all other southern states"
An incident OF the day yesterday
was the presentation to MIR. Bryan
by several hundred farmers from
Otoe county, Nebraska, OF big
stick" gourd. grown In the state.
IL Is about Ave feet In length and
easily might be taken for the orig
inal, IL there ever was one. which
has been so generally caricaturei
1t bore the inscription "Billy's Big
Stick" painted In large black let
ters. Mr.. Bryan, although express
ing his thanks for the gift, declared
that II elected TO the presidency the
big Stick" would not be welded
rather relying on his ability to lead
people through their love than to
control them through their fears.
The Gourd M an Emblem.
"The gourd which you present
certainly looks very much like the
big Stick" as we have seen 1t car
lcntured," said Mr.. Bryan, "and |
think the gourd is fitting emblem
TO represent Republican politics, for
the Big Stick, which has been so
loudly praised. has not accomplished
n great deal In the way OF actua'
legislation. The Republican leaders
have so steadfastly opposed reform
that the Big stick has been quite
empty-as empty as that gourd-ln
actual results Then, too. the gourd
may htly symbolic the hollownes
of Republican promises and the iac
that Republican politics have notn
ing in them OF good to the farmer
shall be glad to accept the ble
STICK gourd although n the Demo
cratic party wins the Big stick WIZ
not be in evidence. The Democi az
ic idea is not coercion by force but
Justice that will appeal to the hear
of men for IL is easier to lead peo
ple through their love than control
them through their fears.
81 have been informed that on
tho way TO Lincoln a collection was
taken up on the train and that hf'y
farmers gave 800 apiece, to our
campaign funds. ! want to thank
them for this manifestation OF their
interest in our cause. In 1896 the
free excursion was one OF the ieat
ures of the Republican campaign.
II Is significant that you not only
nay your fare to attend this no
tlGcation meeting, but In addition
make this contribution to the cam
paign fund.
Reasons for Delay of Reform.
zone of the chief reasons for the
de'av OF reform has been that a few
great corporations have been sup
nlving the Republican party with
It's campaign fund, and then con
trolling policies after election. Our
campaign fund is coming from the
people. and the people will control
tbe administration in case Of Dem
ocratic victory 1t marks the be
ginning Of new era in politics, an
era in which the government will
really belong to the people and be
administered by the people for their
own protection and for the advance
ment OF the public welfare"
Notwithstanding that a great num
her OF hoId-over visitors 10 the no
tiacatlon came out to Fairyiew, Mr..
Bryan found time TO dispose OF con-
siderable correspondence, and make
good progress with the speeches he
intends to deliver at indianapolis,
and elsewhere.
Mr.. Isaac Reese, of Tennessee, re-
Gently appointed a member OF the
finance committee. by Chairman
Mack who had been in attendance
OF the notification meeting talked
with Mr.. Bryan Re left later for
Chicago TO confer with the national
committee in regard TO the collec-
ton Of campaign contributions IN
the southern Mississippi valley. Mr..
Reese wears button bearing the
picture Of Mr. Bryan. Above the
picture are the words. ~ gave my
dollar" and below it Did you?"
Before leaving he declared that
the south was with the west in the
support Of the Democratic platform
Unless We can have a return to the
rule Of the people, he declared, eve
must suffer from the rule OF nam
mon"
Wants Money From the Masses.
Mr.. Reese said he was very much