Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1920-07-28
EXTRACTS FROM w. J. BRYAN'S
GREAT CONVENTION SPEECH.

w. j. Bryan speech d. ZIG odu
Francisco convention was one of the
greatest, if not the greatest speech
ever delivered in political conven-
ton. 1t is of course too lengthy for
reproduction by us in it's entirety, but
we can not refrain from quoting the
following extracts:
They will never be able to erase
from the pages of history the name OF
Woodrow Wilson who carried the
peace plan to the world. (Applause).
You cannot call me an enemy Of Wood
row Wilson. 1t was my treaty plan
that he took to the conference: l have
helped him to become immortal. If l
could secure ratification without res
ervations and give, Woodrow Wilson
the honor of it I would gladly go to
the scaffold today
Our nation has shamed itself before
the world for year! Why is 1t that
while our government could speedily
go into the war, and under the leader
ship of our President, mobolize the
resources of the nation as no other
nation ever mobolized it's resources
in the same length of time-why is
it that we could do this but cannot
get out of the war? Why is it that
Germany and Great Britain and
France and Italy, and even poor dew
estated Belgium, can make peace
while we confess ourselves impotent
to ratify treaty? Why? Because we
have a provision in our constitution
that requires twO-thirds vote OF the
Senate to ratify treaty. The constl-
tuition should be so changed that the
American people can end a war as
quickly as they can begin it. Applause.
We fought for the most fundamental
Of Democratic principles, namely, the
right Of the majority to rule. If that
is worth fighting for in Europe it is
worth recognizing in the United States
and worth recognizing in represent
alive bodies as we'll as when the
people vote directly.
Who will give assurance that Eu-
rope will not drift back into war while
we are discussing reservations? How
oitifuI the difference between the res
srvations that have been discussed
n the Senate for a year when you
them with the large provis-
ons in that treaty.
We want it so that they will not
ell a congressman's position on the
bargain counter. We want it so that
hey cannot open the door of the Unit
ID States Senate with a golden key.
We want it so that Wall street will not
,e able to build a barrier in front or
he White House, over which candl-
late can climb only with the aid OF
,ales of bills. We must keep the way
men between our children and the
tars.
Democratic principles and policies
% not fear the light of day. A govern
nent publication, furnished to all who
esire it, offers the only means by
which the people can receive, through
npolluted channels, the information
hat they need. Such a bulletin would
1form them as to the issues before the
ountry, and the editorials, written
" chosen representatives of both par
les, would furnish the arguments on
II sides. There should be advertis-
ne space for the proper presentation
{ the claims of candidates for nation
| offices. These three things are nee
ssarv for the following reason:
'irst, because government by the con-
ent of the governed is mockery un-
ass the people know to what they are
onsenting; (Applause) second, the
oters cannot vote intelligently unless
ley hear both sides. Out Of the con-
let of ideas comes truth. We be- )
eve with jefferson that terror is
armless when reason is left free to
1mbat it." But reason cannot COM
at error unless it is presented to
lose who must decide. (Applause).
he third reason is that we do not |:
ant any more candidates for presi- !
INT excusing large campaign contrl- .
tions. as Republican candidates tried !:
do. on the ground that it is nee &
ssary to spend enormous sums OF
oney in order to get the facts before !:
e people. We do not want them TO 3
END either large sums Of their own 8
oney. or large sums contributed by +
hers. Any man of merit should be 8
lie to aspire to the highest office /;
thin the gift of the people, regard {
g OF whether he has fortune HIM I