The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-08-19
MIR STONES SPEECH.

| the lll':lai nbLlllCn tlOn anu tx pidintu
that the duty had been delegated to
him. HI,. spike eIingly of the long
slruselt wltnln The ranks of the Dem
ocratic party which had resulted in
the victory of the silver men. He de.
scribed the victory of 1892 as victory
on the tariff issue despite the fact that
many Democrats even then believed
that the financial issue was paramount.
His Characterization Of the action OF
the administration was very severe.
ave rcjoiced in Mr.. Clevelands election
he said, land confidently expected, as we
had right to, that he would bring the tar
iif question to speedy settlement, and strip
monopoly of its opportunity to plunder the
people. But in this just expectation we were
doomed TO disappointment. Instead OF ue-
voting himself to prompt and wise solution
of the important issue upon which he Was
elected he iucontinently thrust it aside and
began, almost ut the threshold of his admin
istratlon, to exercise the great powers OF his
office to commit the country to financial
system inaugurated by the Republican party
and which the Democratic party had time
and again condemned in both State and ma
tiona conventions. In the beginning Of this
attempt the masses of the people, disappolnt-
ed and distressed, looked on in arnazcment.
With absorbing interest and with constantly
increasing resentment they watched the
rapid development of events.
LAS these events passed before them one
by one in quick succession and when they
came to understand their full meaning and
effect, resentment turned to wrath and pro-
test rose into revolt. Then began within the
Democratic party one Of the most remarka-
BILE struggles that have ever occurred in the
political history of this country. It. was q
struggle for mastery between the national
administration and the great masses ofthe
plain people who constitute the party which
created that administration. The prize they
fought for was the national convention. That
convention was to determine whether the
Democratic party should abide by the tra-
ditons of the fathers and adhere 10 its an
cent faith; whether it should obseqliously
abandon the principles of true Democracy
and become q plant agent TO advance the
mercenary ends of an insolent plutocracy.
The people won. They Won glorious VIC
fory. The full significance of their triumph
cannot be estimated at q glance. Suppose
they had lost, what then2 Suppose the Chi
cago convention had followed the servile ex-
ample Of the Republican convention, what
then? If that had happened what hue would
the skies now reveal to the uplitted eyes OF
the anxious millions: Would the star of
hope then have risen luminous to the meri-
dian or have fallen with waning light upon
clouded horizon! Upon what stiti would
the toling millions in field and shop then
have rested their tired hands? What bull
wark of defense would have then stood be.
tween the great industrial and producing
classes, who constitute the solid strength
and safety Of the State, against the combined
aggressions Of the foreign money changers
and the anglicized American millionaires,
upon what rock would the defenders of the
Constitution, the champions of American
ideas and the friends of American institu
tions have then anchored their hopes for the
future" The paramount question before the
country was and is: Shall this great repub-
lie confess tinaLcial servitude to England or
act Independent for ITSELF
1.-The voice of the Chicago convention" !"
Mr.. Stone continued, "was the voice of true
Democracy, For leader they chose one of
their own, plain man Of the people. His
whole life and lifework identify him in sym
pathy and interest with those who represent
the great industrial forces Of the country.
Among them he was born and reared and
has lived and wrought all the days of his
life. To their cause he has devoted all the
splendid powers with which God endowed
him. lie has been their constant and fear
less champion. They know him, they trust
him. Suave, yet tirm; gentle, yet dauntless;
warm hearted, yet deliberate; confident and
selfpoised, but without vanity; learned in
books and statecraft, but without pedantry
or pretence; superb orator, yet man Of
the greatest caution and methods, equipped
with large experience in public affairs, true
TO his convictions, true to himself and false
to no man. William j. Bryan is model
American gentleman and peerless leader
of the people. This man is our leader. Un-
der his banner and guided by his wisdom we
will 60 forth TO conquer. | have no doubt
of victory. 1t is rs sure to come rs the ris-
ing of the sun, and it will come like Il sun
burst scattering the mists, and the nation,
exultant and happy, will leap forward like
giant refreshed to that high destiny it was
designed to accomplish. This man will be
President. His administration will be q
shining epoch in our history, for he will
leave behind him a name made illustrious
by great achievements and by deeds that
will embalm him forever in the hearts and
memory Of his countrymeu."
Addressing Mr.. Bryan, Mr.. Stone
said:
"Mr. Bryan, | esteem it q great honor, as
it is most certainly pleasure, TO be made
the instrument Of informing You, as now
do, that you were nominated for the office Of
President Of the United States by the Demo-
cratic national convention which assembled
at Chicago in July last. hand you this
MED by a copy of the platform adopted by
| the convention and upon that platform |
have the honor to request your acceptance
of the nomination rendered. You are the
| candidate Of the Democratic party, hut you
are more than that, you are the candidate Of
all the people, without regard to party, who
believe in the purposes your election is in.
tended to accomplish. This battle must be
fought upon grounds high above the level of
partisanship. | hope to see you unfurl the
flag in the name of America and American
manhood. In saying this | but repeat the
expressed wish of the convention which
nominated you. Do this, and though you
will not have millions of money at your COM
mand, you will have millions of sturdy
Americans at your back. Lead on and We
will I,alow. Who will not follow here is un-
worthy t,.lead in any cause. Lead on with
unfaltering step and may Gods blessing at
tend you and his omnipotent hand crown
you with success
Turning to the Presidential candi