APRl 21, 1911
The Commoner.
"Bryan and the Nebraska Democracy
yy
Hon. W. H. Thompson, of Grand Island, Neb.,
was on the program for the Bryan birthday
dinner to respond to the toast, "Bryan and Ne
braska Democracy." Mr. Thompson was unable
to attend the dinner on account of a lawsuit in
which he was engaged. He gave to the press,
however, in advance, a copy-of the remaTks he
intended to make. This abstract follows:
" 'Bryan and Nebraska democracy' is. a theme
to me most pleasing and inspiring. In it I
behold the sweeping years of the last two de
cades, with their memories unrolling like a
scroll. I again behold them laden with their
joys and their sorrows, their triumphs and de
feats, their victories won and victories denied.
Through the eye of faith we behold those of
our early members who have passed away and
they waive us back 'forget-me-not.'
"We see in this passing throng those who are
lighting under another banner; those who have
been crowned with laurels; those who have been
disappointed, those who are not here, and those
present, and we bid them all be of good cheer.
As true democrats, we must give and grant
unto each the same rights and. the same liber
ties, the same freedom of thought" and action;
the same individual independence we claim for
ourselves. v
"It was upon this independent individuality
combined with union of desire in the upbuild
ing of the community, state and nation, that
our government was founded. It is upon these
its perpetuity depends. It must not be forgotten
that this nation is one gigantic partnership.
That each citizen, man or woman, has an equal
interest therein, and an equal responsibilty,
be he rich or poor, educated or uneducated.
This should make every man and every wo
man interested in the welfaTe and well-being
of every other man and every other woman, not
only locally but nationally. In times of war,
famine, or disaster, this fact is a living reality,
but In times of general prosperity and content
ment it is quiescent.' Thus during the many
years of prosperity you hear of it little, but
as-, reverse approaches, the idea of the rights of
man arises in. its might, and the battle is on.
"Garfield truthfully said: 'Ideas are the
great warriors .of the world.' .At times, as party;
men, as. to policies -and as to principles, , there'
has been, arid' there will continue' tP be; con
scientious, differences. JLjaffer no - apology -f or. -
he course I ,hav.e pursued when, led by my,
conscience and best, judgment;, andI aslc. nbii6
of others. If we, as democrats, believe that
the individual is the rock upon which our
government rests, and that in the final analysis
he is supreme, yielding only to our constitution
and laws, we should not only be tolerant of
this conscientious independence, but should we
not go farther and welcome it? If it is our duty
to think ourselves into a position, is it not
equally our right to think ourselves out of it?
"It was this untrammeled and unselfish
thought that re-awakened the democratic spirit,
as taught by the fathers, in the hearts of Ne
braska democracy about twenty years ago.
Under its guidance, and through the eloquence
and direction of our honored guest of the even
ing, and others of our party, supported by
an unbought press, democratic and populist,
with the most loyal legions of supporters, the
Nebraska democracy has become nation-wide as
to its influence, and world-known. It has been
a? leader in thought. It has awakened the souls
of men to a realization of their duty to their
fellow-men, to their state and nation, unequalled
in' our hiBtory. Heretofore men have been able
to so arouse their own party as to persuade it
into the enactment of just and needed laws, but
never before have their' efforts been so potent
as to drive the opposition to a continued en
dorsement of their measures. After such en
dorsement by our republican brethren they
pleadingly stand with outstretched hands await
ing, and confidently expecting the plaudits of
the public in proportion as their efforts have
been successful in bringing to legislative frui
tion the seeds of democratic thought.
"To write the history of Bryan since '92 is
to write the history of Nebraska democracy;
to write the history of Nebraska- for the same
period is to write the history of " Bryan. In
writing the history of these achievements, due
Credit must be given to our populist allies,
;who have worked with us most of the time,
and should have all the time.
: "As proof of the growing popularity of these
Bryan principles we need -but recount .their re
cent victories. Senator Kern of Indiana, Sena
tor Parmelee of Ohio, Senator Martine of New
Jersey, Senator Myers of Montana, Senator
Hitchcock of Nebraska, Senator Reed of Mis
souri, Senator Johnson of Maine, Governor Har
mon of Ohio, Governor Marshall of Indiana,
Governor Gary of Wyoming, Governor Dix of New
York, Governor Wilson of Now Jersey, and last,
but not least, a democratic legislature in Ne
braska. As I was delighted by his courageous
and just fight for Arizona, I must say Senator
Owen of Oklahoma.
"As the Missouri democracy is a part and
parcel of Nebraska democracy, we doff our hats
to Speaker Champ Clark and hail) his selection
as a Nebraska triumph.
"We havo felt a just pride as Bryan circled
the globe and thrilled the hearts of citizenship
with his plea for the up-lift of all mankind, tho
eternal principles of a universal democracy, and
the supremacy and independence of the indi
vidual. In him we beheld the triumph of
American independent thought and action; in
him wo beheld the greatest achievement of Ne
braska democracy. When we recall tho glories
he has brought to ub and the aid that we have
been to him, and that together wo have built
up a' democracy of which none need bo ashamed,
as party men we should be doubly proud of our
associations as well as of the fruits of our
labors. Yet we must ever remember that to
achieve victories we must merit them. That if
we would win new victories through the years
we must be true to our tenets. A retreat must
not be sounded, neither as to platform nor as
tp candidates. Those who think alike must
organize and work alike, without bitterness and
without strife.
"Let me, ad a most fitting tribute to our guest,
offer the words of Thomas Marshall, as touch
ing the moral force and worth of Henry Clay:
" 'He needs no statue he desired none. It
was the image of his soul he wished to per
petuate, and he has stamped it himself in lines
of flame upon the souls of his countrymen. Not
all the marbles, of Carrara, fashioned by the
sculptor's chisel into the mimicry of breathing;
life, could convey to the senses a likeness so
perfect of himself as that which he has left upon
the minds of men. He carved his own statuo;
he built his own monument.' " .
TOMtfOHNSON STXIili IiIVES .
- "Thomas'. Jefferson' still lives," were the last:
words of John Adam's; ,whp died on the,, same
day " that Jefferson' dfd, and just before"' him.
They were prophetic: Thomas Jefferson does'
live he not only lives,- but grows in Influence.'
And it may be truly said of Tom Johnson, also,
that' he still lives.. His friends followed his
body to its final resting place, and listened to'
appropriate words spoken by Rev. Herbert Big
low and Rev. Harris R. Cooley, the two minis
ters who had been closest to him during his fight
for justice, but the real Johnson was not burled.
The earthly form will dissolve into the dust but
the soul of Tom Johnson will still move among
us. His sunny smile will no more greet his
multitude of friends, but his heart touched so
many hearts that the Impulse which he gave
to the cause of humanity is a lasting contribu
tion to the world.
He was the-friend of man, and the defender of
human rights. He showed a' moral courage that
proved that he bore the image of the Creator
a courage that could flow from but one source,
namely, obedience to tho command, "Thou
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
He is not dead, for "death Is swallowed tip
in victory."
Mourning depresses those who know him inti
mately his death leaves a place that can not
be filled, but let us rejoice that so rare a
spirit blessed us with his companionship that
we were a part of the world brightened by his
presence and blessed by his labors. His friends
remember with deepest sympathy his house
hold and appreciate the trials hrough which
they were called to pass when vested wrong
hurled its cruel shafts at him and at all whom
he hold dear. God be praised for Johnson's
jife may his example Inspire an increasing
number to listen to tho still small voice that
calls to service, and win, as Johnson did, tho
rewards that crown a well spent life, the love
pf fellow man.
MR. TAFT ON TEMPERANQE
In a letter written to the Sunday school
children of America, President Taft advises
total abstinence. It Is gratifying to have the
highest official in the land cast his influence
against the use of intoxicating liquors.
"CLEAR TIIE WAY"
Linden Lea Place, Cassopolls, Mich., April 10,
1911 Editor Commoner: Replying to tho in
quiry of Mr. W. A. Spanglor, of Bonham, Tex.,
in Tho Commoner of seventh Inst., will say that
tho poem ho wishes to find is entitled, "Action
for tho Future." It wan written by Lowell
Mason shortly boforo tho civil war and has over
been interpreted as prophetic of that great
event. It would also seem to bo quite as appli
cable to our present era.
Tho words of this poem woro sot to music by
William B. Bradbury and published In the Now
York Glee and Chorus Book by Mason Brothers
of Now York In 18G5.
Tho writer used this selection for drilling his
vocal music classes in 1859-60, and no doubt
this song furnished tho inspiration that took
many a brave boy "to tho front" in tho sixties.
Tho poem follows and can furnish tho music
on request. II. S. CHAPMAN.
ACTION FOR THE. FUTURE
Men of thought! be up and stirring,
Night and day;
Sow the seed, withdraw the curtain,
Clear tho way!
Men of action aid and cheer them
As ye may
TherovB a fount about to stream.
There's a light about to beam,
There's a warmth about to glow,
There's a flower about to blow,
" , There's a midnight blackness changing
Into day
Men of thought and men of action
Clear tho way.
Once the welcome light has broken,
Who shall say . .. ;vt
What the uniraaglncd glories ,
Of the day
. - What "the evil that shall perish ;r
In its way , -
. , Aid, the dawning, tonguo and pon;
Aid it, hopes of honest men;. '-
Aid it paper, aid it typo,
Aid it, for tho hour Is ripe,
And our earnest must not slacken
Into play
Men. of thought and men of action
Clear tho way. ' -
;' Lo! a cloud's about to vanish '. '. i
: . ' From, the day- 1-
; . Anda brazen wrong to crumble, '
' Into clay
Lo!' tho right's about to conquer,'
-" Clear tho way!
With tho right shall many moro
Enter, smiling at the door
With tho giant wrong shall fall
Many others great and small
That for ages long have held us
For their 'prey
Men of thought and men of action
Clear the way.
i
J
J
W. A. Spangler of Bonham. Tex., now writes
The Commoner to say: I am under lasting
obligations to mariy unknown friends, who, on
reading my wish in The Commoner, have come
to my rescue.
I cannot thank them each and all tdb much
for tho kindness they have shown me.
Thinking "you might desire a copy I am send
ing you one for tho kindness you have shown
me, as well as to show that I appreciate a favor
and desire to push it along.
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TOM JOHNSON
Special telegram from Washington to
Omaha News by William Jennings
Bryan: Tom L. Johnson was one of the
noblest spirits with whom It had been
my privilege to associate fri politics. I
regard his death as a great loss to the
cause of real democracy. His unselfish
interest In public questions and his un
tiring zeal in the effort to secure
remedial legislation put him In the very
front rank as a public man.
His death will bring sorrow into a
multitude of homes, but his life will con
tinue as an Inspiration for generations
to come.
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