Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-04-14
JEFFERSON DAY.
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William Jennings Bryan, written from
Brazil, and read tonight before the
Democrats who attended the jefferson
Day banquet here and those at a sim
liar function in Indianapolis-the letter
which caused a commotion among the
local banquet committeeman at it's mi
tial reading, because of what some of
them termed it's unorthOdox doctrine
is as follows:
II thank you for invitation to the
Jefferson Day banquet. While l shall
not return to the United States in time
to attend, I can join with you in spirit
the more heartily because of what 1
have learned by visiting other coun-
tries. l have seen everywhere the in
fuence exerted by his teachings. In
the nation in which l am Just now So
journing I find illustrations of his idea
of conquest. He contended that we
should conquer the world with our
ideals rather than with our arms and
in this sense we are effecting a con-
quest of Brazil.
Her constitution is modelled after
ours, she has copied from us the fed
eral system of government which unit
ed lOcal control of local affairs with
its national supremacy: her flag, like
ours, has star for each state, and her
school system is being made to con-
form more and more to ours. These
victories, too, cement friendship, in
stead of arOusing enmity. Hail to JEFF
fnrson, the worlds schoolmaster, whose
views continue their majestic march
around the earth.
But in our own country as we'll as
abroad, his principles are triumphing.
He taught that the art of government
is the art of being honest. and each
new investigation proves the folly of
those who refuse to learn of him. He
was tho Zoe of monopoly in every
form and his name is the one which
can with most propriety be invoked
when the trusts are attacked and when
a contest is being waged for the appli-
cation of the principles of popular
government
II am so far away from home that l
am not fully informed as to the recent
events. but l nave just read of one JEFF
fersonian victory namely, the selection
of an investigating committee by the
House instead of by the Speaker, and
better still, each party selected its mem
bers of the committee. This establishes
IN important precedent, which if fol-
lowed, will make Investigations real and
effective.
II notice also that we seem likely tC
win a victory against the meat trust
Monopoly prices have at last provoked &
popular protest and now that the people
are looking for remedy there is hope
that they will accept the Democratic
remedy. 1t is not unnatural that they
should use the boycott, even if they pun.
ish themselves while they are inflictine
punishments on their oppressors; but ]
am sure they will. in the end. find legis-
lation more satisfactory than abstn-
ence from meat, and join with the Demo
Gratis in declaring a private monopoly
not the meat trust only. but every prl.
vate monopoly, indefensible and intol-
cradle.
But there is another item of news
which has Just come to my attention
President Taft in his Lincoln day speech
at New York, Feb H. attributes pres.
ent high prices mainly to the increase in
production of gold and the consequent
tiid' gen ellt OF tne volume of money
| This unexpected Endorsement of our mar.
tvs proposition in 1896 when We de.
manded more money as the ONLY remedy
for falling prices. is very gratifying
How valuable that admission would have
heen TO MS If IL had been made during
the campaign of that year, when the Re-
pnolican leaders were denying that the
volume of money had an influence on
prices ard asserting that il did NOT mot
Ter whether We had much money or lit
tle' provided it was all good
We may now consider the ouantita
tive theory of money established beyond
dispute and proceed to the consideration
of other questions. But the President
and his predecessor have admitted tho
correctness of the Democratic position
on so many questions that further arpu.
ment Is hardly necessary on any sinh.
jcct: we may now take Judgment ae,ins.
the Republican party by confession.
Please present my compliments r.
the Democrats assembled in memory OF
the sage OF Monticello. take Il for
granted that your gathering will not ad
iourn without the adoption of a resolu.
ton urging the ratification by all the
states of the income tax amendments To
the federal Constitution.
The time is ripe for a return Ia
Jsfersonian principles and trust thu