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The Commoner.
ISSUED WEEKLY
Entorcd at tho PoHtofllco at Lincoln, Nobraaka,
an Hccond-clasa matter.
WllXlAU J. UllTAN
Kdltor ami Proprietor
ItJCIIAIU) I Mjctcai.kx
Awociato Kdltor
CIIAHL7C3 W. BnTAM
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THE COMMONER, Lincoln, Nob,
cIplcB aro our children. We have the right
to glory In their success. Wo claim their
parentage. Wo can defend our title by conclu
sive proof. I say this with a full consciousness
of tho fact that after tho period of trial and
adversity had passed, and after our republican,
brethren had heaped criticism and abuse upon
HOT fcoads for standing for such wild notions,
kcn the public conscience became aroused,
and theso principles had becomo popular, they
sought by mere adoption to claim the likely
offspring as their own. But the record is
against them and living witnesses yet attest
the fact. And sirs, when wo investigate to advise
ourselves aB to what to expect of the child in
the future, when wo are searching for the family
characteristics, when we aro striving to know
what blood courses through the veins, when we
Book thoso who put life, vitality and strength
into tho being, wo do not go to the cold, dusty
and clammy court record of adoption, but rather,
to tho book containing tho family history and
tho principles and tenets of its faith, and there
search out the real record. When this is done
and the party history of tho two great parties
as written by themselves in assembled conven
tion is scanned, the title of democracy will bo
conclusively established. For nearly twenty
years her platforms were declaring and her
rank and file wore fighting for the reforms our
republican brethren now seek to purloin. We
aro glad of their help, though it came late. Wo
do not object to their belated assistance, but
wo think they should not inBist upon sitting
at tho head of tho table but should be content
to take their proper place in tho family circle.
"One of tho most satisfactory evidences of
the march of political progress manifested in
tho present legislature of Nebraska is the fact
that this spirit 1b not confined to a single poli
tical party. Wore it so, disappointment would
bo frequent. Honest and sincere men in both
parties refuse to be bound by party fetters
They refuse to bend to the party lash. They
prefer rather to inquire what is right, what is
morally right, and then to follow their own
judgment and their own consciences. This spirit
has been of great service in tho Nebraska house
not only in the framing of wholesome measures,
but also in their passage, and in the defeat of
vicious measures. Wo should be lacking in duty
did wo not pay proper tribute to such a spirit
It is a recognition of the citizen's real duty and
places the stato before the party."
CONGRESSMAN MAGUIRE'S SPEECH
Hon. John A. Maguire, congressman First
Nebraska district, said: "To speak of Mr
Bryan at home is to speak of him and his
Influence in all the states of the union. It would
require that I go even farther and dwell upon
The Commoner.
tho growth and expansion of the principles of
democracy in Europe, in the far east and in the
Americas. When a man becomes so great an
influence in the affairs of his countrymen and
of mankind everywhere as Mr. Bryan has been;
when he has seen within a score of years of
his own lifetime his ideas of government and
political policies accepted not only by his friends
and followers, but likewise by those who have
opposed him, then, I say, we speak only rela
tively of any particular place as his home he
belongs to the whole people.
"For fifteen years of his public life, Fair
view has been tho political barometer of the
nation. Mr. Bryan has seen rough service and
stormy seas; he has not always reached the
harbor toward which ho was sailing, but he has
never floundered at sea. Through many battles
he has fought and each time he has returned
to his friends at home, defeated, but undismayed.
"History records many defeats of great men
defeats which caused them to either stand still
or retreat, but Mr. Bryan will furnish to future
historians a brilliant example of one to whom
defeat was a signal to go ahead and fight on.
The causes he espoused so eloquently one by
one are becoming a part of the organic law of
the republic. He advocated reforms when
others were denouncing them or were silent.
His courage and eloquence kept the fires of
democracy burning in times of gloom and
despair. He went onward and upward when
others lost hope and stood still. Every defeat
to him meant merely preparation for a renewal
of hostilities against the enemies of human
rights and popular institutions. The unwaver
ing principle of his unparalled political career
is that truth will ultimately triumph.
"We at home tonight are proud that'we have
been a part of these struggles for which democ
racy fought under his gallant leadership to
place tho people in control of their own govern
ment. Whatever may be the additional fame of
Mr. Bryan in the future, it is consolation to us
who understand him best to know that he has
already won an enduring place among statesmen
and that he has lived to serve his country with
such industry, ability and patriotism. We re
joice with him that he has lived to see his
name honored and loved throughout this great
country.
"In estimating the greatness of men the
standards have differed with each generation
and ago. But judging him by the standards of
any age, past or present, Mr. Bryans' contribu
tion to society and to the science of government
will stand the test of fair-minded critics of all
times. The historians who record for future
generations the achievements of men of our
day must, without exception, give Mr. Bryan
a position well nigh the top among the greatest
men of his time. Some of them may say that his
public and private-life was noble, pure and ex
emplary; that his Christian spirit identified
him always and everywhere with the funda
mental precepts of the Great Master and Teacher
of mankind. Others may say that he was three
times chosen as the candidate of his party for
the highest office under the greatest government
in the world. This, in Itself, is a distinction
not only unprecedented, but which must mark
him as the greatest democrat of his time Still
others may say that he lived among and sym
pathized with the common people; that he de
voted his service and his talents to their cause
all historians must say that he lived to see the
great political reforms which he advocated in
corporated into the charters and policies of all
tho great political parties of his time.
"It is indeed well that we can break bread
together on this occasion in honor of our dis
tinguished guest and friend, and citizens of
Lincoln. If political fate has decreed that he
remain a private citizen in the ranks as one of
us, we who know and love him as neighbor and
fellow townsman will rejoice that we can al
ways count on his willing pen and eloquent
tongue in the common cause for the common
good of all the people. Tho battles of democ
rat are not all fought yet, and we can take
nspiratlon from his courageous example and
we do not wint all we fight for lnn?s ruggle
then prepare to wage another. smuggle
"We wish him continued health and mv
more recurring birthdays that his friends aSd
admirers may participate in expressions of our
good wil towards him and our loyalty to the
great principles of democracy establtehed bS
Jefferson and maintained with such disUnguished
eloquence by Mr. Bryan." ""buisnea
THE VOICE FROM JAPAN
Y. Bryan Yamashlta, editor of th Tnnonn
Magazine, Toklo, the young man wh'adSpte
VOLUME 11, NUMBER 1J
Mr. Bryan several years ago and liyed at his
house while being educated, was Introduced, and
spoke as follows: "I have the good fortune to
celebrate the birthday of my benefactor, tho
Hon. William Jennings Bryan. When I was
eighteen years old I read, of Mr. Bryan and
came to the United States and adopted him as
my teacher. I stayed nearly six years in his
home and he and his heart keeper showed me
American ways and their joyous home life.
"I remembered all that Mr. Bryan said to
me and now I practice his wise advice. I know
no better way to show my gratefulness than by
taking Japanese students to my home and teach
ing them American ideas. I wish that Mr. Bryan
would live a thousand years and that he would
hear some thankful words from a few of tho
many young men he has helped as he has
helped me. I bring greetings and friendship
from the Japanese people to the American
people. The Japanese people will never forget
the gratitude that they owe Commodore Perry
and Townsend Harris, and it is beyond a pos
sibility that the Japanese should harbor antag
onistic designs against the Americans. It is
a matter of sincere regret to me that articles
antagonistic to the Japanese have from time
to time, appeared in some American newspapers,
but this is doubtless due to ignorance of the
true condition of Japan. Baron Shibusawa', who
is the most influential man. in Japan, told me
when I left Japan to answer that unkind war
talk. I know ' that the Japanese people, as I
said before, do not want war. They love' peace
very much, and they love the American people.
The earth is big enough for many people, and
the Japanese are satisfied with their part. Japan
is the nation of the rising sun, she has no night
plans, all is open and in the daylight. The
Pacific ocean is a nice play ground and a good
place for work, but it n.:t never be a battle
field. Japan and the'United States will set each
other a good example and will not shock the
world. You have taught me while I was here
that America is a great peace nation. Japan
will imitate her. I may say that I represent
an American product of Japanese raw material,
for I received the greater part of -my education
and training in this great republic. I owe so
much to your noble country that feel anxious
to show my gratitude and in some measure
repay the debt. In conclusion, let me say that
I hope the stars and stripes that wave on this
side of the Pacific and the rising sun which
floats on the other, may be hand in hand
the emblems and guarantee of peace."
SENATOR HITCHCOCK'S SPEECH
Senator Gilbert M. Hitchcock, of Nebraska,
said, in part: "The election of senators by the
direct vote of tho people may be set down as one
of the reforms of the immediate future. While
an amendment of tho constitution is required
to perfect it and while this may be delayed for
a number of years, its final achievement is
practically assured. Meanwhile one state after
another, without waiting for tho constitutional
change is adopting the device known as tho
Oregon plan, which has made it possible for
the people to elect senators by the-acquiescence
of tho legislature.
"Nebraska has tho honor of being the second
state formally to adopt the plan and I have tho
honor and good fortune to be the first senator
trom Nebraska chosen by this method and the
second in tho United States.
"Few reforms have been resisted more stub
bornly Three years ago by an overwhelming
vote the republican national convention, which
nominated Mr. Taft defeated a plank declaring
I tt "Lrff0r,rm- Year atter year the senate of
the United States has killed the resolution for
a constitutional amendment. Two years ago,
yes even one year ago, there did not appear to
do tne slightest chance of securing the passage
Q,,i?f ?ece1Bsary resolution through the senate,
buddenly, however, the November election of
vi5nZeap chaneed everything. The popular
verdict was rendered and the reactionary forces
Inn r??t.wn- 0ne of the important Issues
SRh JJ h th voterB declared themselves was
tms reform. Congress so construed It and even
ISi rnnd Senat0 wIth Ita ancient leaders and
thin ni5ary Jecord tne resolution submitting
vntM S ndmGnt to the states only lacked four
cow i L t7;, In the now congress Its suc-
J alrly wel1 assured.
fhf I; Joa;tmaster, I have not the time at
rnfnrm auetito diBCUBS the reasons for this
obvlnn ,s lt necssary. They are almost
dlHonc ' They. srow out of tne change of con
ar SL nce thQ constitution was formed. They
ourRoitic, ?n. exi)eriencc- We have convinced
ourselves that under this reform we will get
T
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