Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-02-19
lends and FeIlo,c- Citizens Of the
7th Congressional District

- |W congressional DlS(T1Ct:
At the earnest request of experienced men
OF the Democratic party, | have consented to
become a candidate to represent you in the
next Congress Of the United States. In con-
nection with this announcement, deem it
proper to make few remarks explanatory OF
my views. -sq..
My political views have been too well
known to require heightened review OF them
on the present occasion. At a very early Pc
Rod of my life became attached to Democrat
ic principles, and in maturer years my conf
dence in them is undiminished Nor have |
lost favorable opportunity of defending them
to the best of my ability. Ishall content my
self by referring to one of these principles, al
present, namely: the right of instruction. |
refer to this particularly, because so bitterly
assailed by the opposition, and perhaps not
properly appreciated or understood by many
Republicans. | regard the doctrine as inse.
parable with republicanism. The people are
the depository Of power, and the Representa-
tive is their agent, bound by their will and the
constitution to promote the national welfare
In doing this, should difference of opinion
arise between the Representative and his con.
stituents, the decision should be with the latter
A public servant that denies this position ar.
rogates to himself to know more, and have a
larger interest at stake, than the thousands
that elect him. He places the creature above
the creator, and sus:ains an assumption con.
| trary to the genius of our institutions. In
monarchial governments the King has the
power and the ministers and people alike have
to do his bidding. In republics the matter i:
reversed, the people are the sovereigns, anG
the agent or representative is consequently
bound to abide their instructions.
Economy is as necessaryin government ex
penditures, to prevent discomfort, suffering anc
oppression, as it is in promoting family anc
individual prosperity. Extravaganza is thu
bane of republics. When once it takes hole
on our national councils, it is hard to predic
where its voluptuous career will end. The
signs with our infant republic is already por
tentious, and retrenchment is loudly called fo
in the civil, military, diplomatic, and othe
expenses of the government If honored witt
your sutfrages, my attention shall be directed
to this subject
My only motive in appearing before you il
desire to be useful to my country. The no
nor connected with the station depends on tn,
conduct-the representative is morally bounc
to qualify himself for usefulness-indiferen
and selhshness is inexcusable, and will, soon
er or later, meet its due reprobation. To serv,
my country faithfully, shall consider my
highest honor. To be instrumental in givin.
strength and permanency to our institutions
my lasting reward.
It is now confidently believed Gen. McKa,
will decline reelection. He has held tn
post over twelve years, a part of the time rath
er reluctantly, and think he is too much o
a Republican to continue longer.
AS l purpose meeting you at the approach
ing Superior Courts, in the several countie
composing the district, | close by soliciting
your suffrage and influence, and with tn
promise that viii there embrace in my dis
cusslon larger number of subjects, and de
fine my views more g.inutely than can in
paper of this kind
Very respectfully. your ob't serv't,
JAMES |. BRYAN.
! Ifrtminston, Feb. IT, 1917.