-P - n
MARCH 31, 1911
The Commoner.
9
F' F&P' ' " v vr-i"? yf
ing war among democrats. When the Baltimore
democrats celebrated St. Jackson's Day, the re
publican papers predicted a great row as Im
pending, and unfortunately they were aided
and abetted by a few so-called democratic
papers. We met and had a most enjoyable,
hilarious and harmonious meeting. In talking
about revising the tariff I suggested in my
speech that, considering the fact that there
would bo a republican majority in the senato
and a republican in the white house during the
life of the Sixty-second congress, it seemed to
me that the best way to revise the tariff down
ward would bo to revise it one schedule at a
time, taking the worst schedule first, and that
In that way we would stand a better chance of
getting relief from some of the most out
rageous features of the "Payne-Aldrich-Smoot
tariff bill. Senator Bailey followed me and
expressed a preference for a general and whole
sale revision in one bill. We agreed fully as
to the iniquitous character of the present
tariff bill and as to the desirability of revising
it down but differed only as to mode of proce
dure, every man of sense knowing that fourteen
bills revising fourteen schedules would in the
end constitute an entire tariff bill. Next morn
ing all the republican papers and their so
called democratic co-adjutors headlined in big
black-faced type 'Great Democratic Split at
Baltimorel' Senator Bailey promptly explained
In an interview that there was no split that
he and I agreed entirely as to the necessity of
tariff revision downward and differed only as
to the modus operandi, a matter which could be
easily Bettled by consultation. I said 'Amen
to his interview when it was shown to mo, but
not a single republican paper had grace enough
to headline his interview or my concurrence
therein.
"Again, when we calledthe democratic caucus
for January 19th, of the members-elect of the
Sixty-second congress an unprecedented per
formance to select the democratic members of
the ways and means committee in order to ex
pedite tariff revision, the republican papers, all
with ghoulish glee, predicted that we were
absolutely certain to go to pieces at the caucus,
even going so far as to name the men who
were to start the riot. They also represented
it as a cruel hardship on the new members to
have to come to Washington In midwinter, and
prophesied that few of them would attend. The
caucus was held promptly on schedule time; out
of a possible 227 members-elect 220 were in
attendance; the seven absentees were accounted
for as sick or detained by imperative prior en
gagements, the newly elected members were
among the most enthusiastic there; we had four
hours talk, every member, old or new so desir
ing, having his say; I was unanimously nomi
nated for speaker; the fourteen democrats of
the new ways and means committee were unani
mously chosen; we had a regular love feast,
without a discordant word, and we adjourned
knowing full well that we had done a fine
night's work for our party' and our country;
but that sort of news waB not headlined in the
republican papers.
"Again, when we called a democratic caucus
to consider the reciprocity bill, these same
republican papers predicted another 'democratic
split.' The caucus met; we came out united
and cheerful, but the republican papers insisted
in scare headlines that wo had split wide open.
These same republican papers strove so hard to
minimize the republican spirit that it required
careful reading to discover that President Taft
and his Lieutenant-General McCall failed to line
up even a majority of republicans for recipro
city a pitiful performance, surely.
"Some democratic senators voted to retain
William Lorlmer in the senate; more democrats
voted to put him out. Immediately the republi
can papers announced a 'democratic split,' ap
parently blissfully Ignorant of the fact that while
a majority of republican senators voted to re
tain Lorimer, a respectable minority voted to
put him out. They also ignored the fact that
the seating or unseating of Lortmer was in no
sense a party question. '
"The ways and means committee instead of
the speaker-to-be is charged with the duty of
naming- the committees a reform which I
helped to achieve, notwithstanding the fact that
it Is generally assumed that it will diminish
the speaker's ppwer. Under the old system the
speaker possessed more power than any one
man should- have In a republic. The ways and
means committee Is now engaged in the onerous
Important and difficult task of making up the
committees. A few days ago the republican
papers headlined a story to the effect that quite
an ablo democrat had failed to be assignod to
tho committoo on rules on which he had sot
his heart, and that therefore ho was breathing
out threatening and slaughter, and proposed to
erect tho standard of revolt and split the party
wide open. Of course no method of appointing'
committees could be devised by human inge
nuity through which all members could get all
they want, and while there must in tho very
nature of things and tho necessities of tho case
be some disappointment, some dlsgruntlemont
and some criticism by reason of committee as
signments, tho chances are that in due time
things will bo smoothed out and in good run
ning order.
"I have cited theao glaring instances out of
a multitude to illustrate tho plan of tho re
publican nowspapors to deliberately misrepre
sent us and to stir up all the strife possible in
our ranks, but being forewarned, we should
bo forearmed.
"I never read their malicious canards that
I do not recall Sir John Fallstaff's exclamation:
'Lord! Lord! How this world Is given to lying!'
These papers appear to have adopted as their
motto Voltaire's celebrated dictum: 'Keep on
lying and some of it will stick.'
"Advice is cheap, but I advise democrats not
to be deceived by this palpable and malicious
trick of republican newspapers. Tho highest
authority known among man tells us: 'In vain
is tho net spread in tho sight of any bird,'
and certainly democrats have as much intelli
gence as the birds. Our duty to ourselves and
the country Is to stick together, pull together,
work together and fight together until wo havo
completely wrested the government from re
publican maladminitration.
"There Is an old .Latin saying: 'Quos Deus
vult perdlre prius demental' 'Whom tho Gods
would destroy they first made mad.i This seems
to fit the present day republican leaders like
a glove. History has a strange and confirmed
habit of repeating Itself. During John Adam's
administration the federalists found the current
of public opinion running strong against them,
with defeat starjng them in the face. In hopes
of extending their lease of power they enacted
the alion and sedition laws in a vain endeavor
to throttle free speech. Everybody knows tho
result. In 1800 Thomas Jefferson, the father
of democracy, the greatest statesman that ever
lived, bar none, was triumphantly elected and
the ship of state was placed on the democratic
tack. Now, the republican bourbons, learning
nothing and feeling the ground slipping from
under their feet, Postmaster General Hitchcock
undertakes to increase the postage on maga
zines to such an extent that it would put many
of them out of business by rigging up a scheme
which would virtually and pro tanto establish
a press censorship. Tho effort to accomplish
that feat and to bridle free speech by means of ,
tho infamous alien and sedition laws failed a
century ago, ju3t as this latest effort to bridle
free speech will fall now, as it deserves to fail.
"My democratic brethren, a golden oppor
tunity has come to us. Let us gird up our loins,
buckle on our armour and fight the battles of
tho people to a triumphant conclusion. If we
do our full duty, as I believe we will, we will
be victorious not only In 1912 but for years to
come. 'Tifl a consummation devoutly to be
wished.' "
MR. BRYAN'S ADDRESS AT THE CLOSE
OP THE BANQUET
Mr. Toastmaster, Distinguished Guests, Mem
bers of the Lincoln Bryan Club, and Ladles and
Gentlemen: You have made this anniversary a
delightful occasion. One could welcome ago if
each new year were ushered In by such a cordial
greeting as this. If I could compel my wife
to grow old with me I might wish for a birthday
every month if each celebration brought so
happy a reunion. I am indebted to the Bryan
Club of this city for the honor it has done me
on several birthdays, but this is the most am
bitious commemoration it has undertaken. I
have asked clubs in other parts of tho country
not to take my name, first, because If I consented
it might be construed as a desire to be a candi
date again, and second, because I do not caro
to have a democratic club suffer because of any
mistakes that I may make. But I have made
an exception in- the case of this club In my
home city, and I thank it again for the honor
it does me.
I appreciate the welcome extended by those
who have gathered here, and among thoso
present I see not only democrats who have been
with me in all my political fights for twenty
years, but republicans also, some of whom have
been against me In most of my campaigns. I am
glad that friendship la not bounded by party
lines, and I am grateful for tho good will that
so many of my republican neighbors havo bo
constantly expressed. This meeting Is a groat
gratification to mo because It has given tho
audience an opportunity to hoar some of tho
groat men of our party In tho nation, and It
has given our Invited gucftts a chanco to hear
somo of tho strong men in our own state. As
tho years fall upon mo I find myself moro and
moro interested in the young men who arc grow
ing up, tho young men upon whom tho responsi
bilities of party leadership must soon rest.
Senator Sidles has proven his capacity as a
senator, and his speech gives evidence of his
understanding of tho political situation and of
political issues.
Representative Quackenbush has placed us
under obligation for his frank discussion of tho
dangers which ho sees, and wo can congratulate
ourselves upon having so vigilant a democrat
on guard.
Congressman Maguiro has earned Ills right
to speak as a representative of Lincoln and of
tho First district. Ho was re-elected upon his
morlts, upon the record ho had made. I am
proud to be his constituent, proud to havo him
as tho representative of tho district In which
I live.
Senator Hitchcock's speech presents one of
tho great Issues which Is soon to bo sottled
on tho side of tho people. I am glad to havo
these gentlemen who will be his colleagues In
tho senato know that they will havo his hearty
co-operation In all progressive movements. Ills
paper was in tho early years of our fight one
of the few great dallies which supported our
cause; it could bo rolled upon when many
others had left us.
Mr. Metcalfe's speech brings to memory tho
fact that we havo been associated In political
contests for more than twenty years. To havo
the continued confidence and tho affection of
co-laborers like Mr. Metcalfe la worth more than
any office.
It was opportune that Mr. Yamachita should
have been here at this time. His participation
is the exercises is a most pleasant Incident. He
came to our home as a young man, and soon
becamo one of tho family. His earnestness, his
exemplary conduct and his zeal in tho study of
the science of government interested us all. It
Is a -great satisfaction to know that ho now
enjoys a responsible position and is endeavoring
to Inform his countrymen regarding American
ideals. I am glod to endorse what ho said
about the friendship existing between his coun
try and ours. It is almost criminal for sensa
tional papers to attempt to create Ill-will be
tween these two countries. My own acquain
tance with tho people of Japan enables mo to
confirm what ho says in regard to tho friendship
which tho Japanese people feel toward our
country, and I think I know our country well
enough to assure him that that friendship Is
reciprocated.
In Governor Shafroth of Colorado, you see one
who has won, by fair and honest fight, tho promi
nent position which he holds In his state. Follow
ing the dictates of his conscience ho left the re
publican party in 189G, and his conduct sinco
has been such as to win him Increaslngrespect.
He refused to accept a certificate of election to
congress when he was convinced that there was
fraud at tho ballot box. In the last state con
vention tho democratic machine of his own city
attempted to prevent his nomination, even went
so far as to vote him against himself under tho
unit rule. Tho country re-nominated him, over
the protest of the delegates from the city of
Denver, but tho city of Denver rebuked tho
machine by giving him an overwhelming ma
jority at the election. When you hear him you
hear ono of the best and bravest of tho execu
tives of the nation.
Senator Owen has identified himself with all
of the measures that look toward the populariz
ing of government. He believes in the people.
Ho has confidence in their capacity for self
government as well as In their right to self
government. Senator Owen Illustrates tho
power of the brain when backed by a great
heart, and he also illustrates the fact that faith
is necessary to great achievement. His latest
claim to fame rests upon his courageous action
during the closing days of congress. When ho
saw that the reactionary element in the senate
was endeavoring to admit New Mexico and reject
Arizona he flung himself Into the breach and
succeeded In uniting the two territories in one
bill, and there they are likely to stay until they
are admitted together. The feeling of Arizona
toward New Mexico, when it comes to the matter
of admission, is something like Ruth's feeling
(Continued on Page 12.)
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