The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-03-05
BRYAN SPOKE TO LEGISLATURE
URGES MEMBERS TO REMEM-
BIER TRUST TO PEOPLE.
.NcXJ Secretary of State Tells of In
hhcncc Of Masses in Amairs of Ma
ton.

Columbia, March 2-Speaking last
night to the members OF South Car
oilna general assembly. William Jen-
nlngs Bryan Of Nebraska advised
them to place their trust in the peo-
pie and TO stick to the platforms on
which they We're elected.
The house and senate extended an
invitation to Mr.. Bryan to address
them while in Columbia. He accent
ed the invitation last night after his
speech in the theatre The members
of the general assembly and the,
throng in the galleries heard the
great commOner with the closest
attention.
Mendel l.. Smith, speaker Of the
house, introduced Mr.. Bryan as the
foremost American citizen" The Ne
braSkan was applauded when he en-
tered the hall and when he arose to
speak.
Had | come earlier in the session.
| might have tried to speak with a
view to helping you TO do your dutv.'
Mr.. Bryan told the members of the
general assembly. Il have devoted the
mature years of my life to the study
of governmental problems and feel
that a tremendous responsibility rests
on d legislative body"
do not be afraid of the people"
said Mr.. Bryan in advancing the two
suggestions he had to offer to the gen
eral assembly Ind do not be afraid
to trust them. There is more integ-
rity, honesty and honor in the people
than finds representation in their
agents. The chief defect in a repre-
sentative government is that it does
not represent all the time"
All over the world, the influence Of
the people in the government is in
creasing," declared Mr.. Bryan. THE
strength of a nation lies not in the
number Of soldiers nor in the size Of
its battleships, but in the love of its
people who will die to preserve it. Let
no one persuade you from trusting the
people. Let me appeal to you to put
your entire government in the hands
Of the people"
Mr.. Bryan stated that representa-
tives are selected to speak what the
people want said and to do what the
people wanted done.
Il believe that a man has no moral
right to be elected on a platform and
then betray the people by deserting
it said Mr.. Bryan. Il believe that
whenever the platform speaks, it is
binding. Platforms deal in general
principles and the more important is
sues. Where the platform gives no
specific instruction, the representa-
tives should apply the principles set
forth in it. Those who speak for the
people should have the courage to do
right without stopping to count how
many there are with them.
'No man is fit to ocupy a public
position unless he has the faith to do
right" declared Mr.. Bryan. Faith is
Of more value than processes Of rea-
soning. If a public man would act in
a large way, he must be a man who
believes that God stands back Of right
eousness."
Trust the people and let them run
their own government" concluded
Mr.. Bryan. Have faith in the tri-
umph of that which is right. Stand
for that which you believe to be right
and take the consequences"
Mr.. Bryan thanked the general as
sembly for it's invitation to him 20
address them.
On the committee to extend the in
vitation to Mr.. Bryan were Senators
Weston, Strait and Nicholson and
Representatives Whaley, O'Quinn and
Wyche.