Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-05-17
BRYAN SPEAKS
To LEGISLATORS
Is Given Enthusiastic Reception
! by Both Houses.
VISITS GOVERNOR TENER
Secretary Of State Reiterates His
Faith In People and Advises Plat.
form violators to Resign Office.

I0TF0 W Ft~of9h
Secretary OF state William Jennings
Bryan was given ilattering greeting
when he was introduced in the Penn
sylyania house OF representatives at
Harrisburg. Members of the senate
sat at the front of the chamber and
practically every member of the house
was in his place.
Having thanked the Legislature for
the honor shown him, he said.
Il wish 10 speak to you as legisla-
tors. a century ago Thomas Jefferson
said there are just two natural parties
in land where speech Is free. These
two parties he described as an aristo-
cratic and democratic party. The
aristocratic party Is the one that does
not believe in the people and does not
trust them The democratic party
trusts the people.
1T should be borne in mind that
Jefferson had not the now Democratic
party in mind. The democratic parry
of his time was known as the Repub-
lican party, so handicapped were we
then by name Trust the people.
line that separates the man who Is at
heart democrat from the man who is
an aristocrat
1T Is matter OF great Importance
TO know ii our representatives hold
the democratic idea or TO the aristo-
cratic idea The aristocratic idea is
that people are not fitted TO think for
themselves. but must have representa-
tives OF superior intelligence to think
for them.
1.-THE democratic idea is that the
people think for themselves and elect
representatives TO do for them what
they would do for themselves IL they
had the opportunity.
1.-THE democratic view Is the popu-
lar view know this. because | know
how the average candidate acts when
he goes before the people. II II Is i'm
material to him what the people think.
why is II that he consults with them
before election? The fact that we not
only have party platforms. but that
these platforms are becoming more
binding is proof that the democratic
theory OF representative government
IS sound II is a democratic principle
that platform is binding on every
man that runs upon IT,
But | hear some one ask. Should
a man after his election to Office vio-
late his conscience My reply Is that
no man so elected should violate his
conscience. 1t is a democratic prin-
ciple that a candidates conscience
should begin to work before the cleo
ton. II man finds after he has been
elected his conscience will not permit
him to do what the platform he ran
upon calls for, he should resign.
1T must be borne in mind" added
Mr.. Bryan. that constituents also
have consciences. The man who re-
fuses to represent the conscience of
his constituents is greater criminal
than an embezzler. II has cost the
world millions of treasure and millions
OF lives TO secure representative gov
eminent. but representative govern.
ment is n failure II the representatives
OF the people can betray them, mock
them and spit upon them"
The secretary of state was compel.
ed to suspend his remarks by the
demonstration of approval which swept
the house When quiet was restored
he added
do you think an income tax amend.
ment would have been passed in Penn.
sylyania fifteen years ago." inquired
Mr. Bryan. The reply was a mixture
of laughter and applause. Mr. Bryan
referred to the fact that nineteen
years aga he had helped to draft an
income tax amendment which embed
led only fiat rate"
'Men OF large fortunes fought il. but
now weare 10 have graded income
tax. They notified he Monday" the
secretary of state continued. that We
had received the last state necessary
10 ensure the election of United Stlies
senators by popular vote. and 1t Is to
be my pleasure. may say, my delight,
TO afiix my signature TO the last for
mality that will place the United
States senate in the hands of the PEG.
pie. And Pennsylvania was one OF
those thiriy-six states.
Would Pennsylvania have done this
thirty-six years ago." he inquired, add
ing: Il mention this 10 show the pro
gress that has taken place.
Nov let me tell you something
more that is going to be accomplished.
The day OF the boss is past in the
United States. The day Is coming when
the people AT home will nominate Their
candidates and write their own AT
forms You can prevent IL for a Will
but you are not strong enough 10 re
sist the conscience OF nation and al
conscience OF state. Not only Is IA
boss to be eliminated, but | yentgr
10 say that we have seen the last
great national convention
When Mr. Bryan arrived he was n
/ Enthusiastically cheered as he pass ii
through the railroad station. Mr.. Br
"a aacorfad nv racaptfon ronts.fs