The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1896-09-19

>~NN mn
lillian Jennings Bryan
from any personal desire. except the desire to
prove worthy OF the confidence CT M country.
Human Judgment is fallible enough wien un
| biased by selfish considerations, and in order
| that may not be tempted to use the patron
| age OF an office to advance any personal auIbi-
| tion. hereby announce, with all the emphasis
| which words can express, my liked determine
tion not. under any circumstances. to be cam
didale FOR reelection in case this campaign re-
| suits in my election.
/ have carefully considered the platform
adopted by the Democratic national conven-
! ton, and unqualitiedly indorSe every plan;
| therein
The Main Purposes OF Government.
Our institutions rest upon the proposition
that all men, being created equal are entitled
| to equal consideration at the hands OF the gov
ernmeut Because all luen are created equal.
1T follows that no citizen has Il natural right to
| injure another citizen. The main purpose OF
government being to protect all citizens In the
enjoyment Of life liberty and the pursuit OF
happiness, this purpose must lead the govern
| ment, first. to avoid acts Of affirmative In
| justice, and, second, to restrain each citizen
! from trespasSing upon the rights Of any other
| citizen.
| A democratic form Of government is con-
| ducye to the highest civilization. because ii
opens before each individual the greatest OPP
pOrtunltleS for development, aud stimulates to
| the highest cnueavor, by lnSuring to each the
| full enjoyment of all the rewards Of toll, cx-
cept such contribution as is necessary to sup
| port the government which protects him.
! Democracy IS indifferent to pedigree-it deals
! with the individual rather than his ancestors
| Democracy ignores differences in wealth,
| neither riches nor poverty can be evoked in
behalf OF or against any citizen. Democracy
| knows no creed recognizing the right OF each
! individual to worship God according to the
dictates OF his own conscience, it welcomes ali
| to d common brotherhood ana guarantees
| equal treatment to AL, no matter in what
church or through what forms they commune
with their Creator.
Our Dual Form of Government.
Having discussed portions OF the platform at
| the time OF il, adoption. and again when your
letter OF notification was formally Delivered it
will not be necessary Ut this time to touch upon
all the subjects embraced IN the Dar,y's uecl;;-
! ratiOns.
Honest differences OF opinion have ever ey-
listed and ever will ex st;.s to the most effective
no citizen fails to recognize al all times
and under al circumstances the absolute
necessity 70" the prompt and vigorous enforce
ment OF Law aud the preservation Of the pub
lie peace. II government like ours. law is
but the crySalizatlOn OF the will Of The people:
without il, the citizen is neither secure in the
enjoyment OF life and liberty. nor protect
ed III the pursuit OK happiness, With
out obedience to law, government is
impossible. The democratic party is
pledged to defond the constitution and
lnfOrce c the Laws OF the Uuitcd States.
and it Is also pledged TO protect AMI defend the
dual scheme of government instituted by the
founders OF the republic. The name United
States was happily chosen. /. combines the
idea or national strength with the idea of local
self government, and suggests IAN ndissoluble
union OF tndeSttuctuble states
The Forerathers and Capitalization.
Our wise forefathers, fearing the tendency
| toward Capitalization, as well as the dangers
OF disintesration, guarded against both, and
national safety. as well as domestic security
is to be found in the careful observance OF the
limitations which they impose. 1t Will be
noticed that, while the United States guaran-
tees to every state a republican
form OF government. ami il empowered
w PAOtVSV EhNIl Hldtc lufuSlOu IL Is uOJ
authorized to interfere in the domestic affairs
or any state, except upon application Of the
legislature OF the state, or upon the applica-
tlon Of the executive when the legislature can
not be convened. This provision rests
upon the sound theory that the people
OF the state, acting through their
legally chosen representatives. are, be-
cause OF their more intimate acquaintance
with local conditions, better qualified than the
president 10 Judge Of the necessity for federal
assistance. Those who framed our constitu-
ton wisely determined TO make as broad an
application OF The principles OF local sclf-eov-
ernmcnt as circumstances would permit and
we can not dispute the correctness OF the posi-
ton CaEen by them without expressing i dis
trust OF the people themselves.
Economy.
Since government exists to- the protection
OF the rights OF the people, and not for their
spollatcn, no expenditure OF public money can
| be justified unless that expenditure is lleceS-
Sary for the honest, economical and efficient
administration Of the government. In deter
mining What appropriations are necessary, the
interests OF those who pay the taxes should be
| consulted rather than the wishes Of those who
receive or dlsburSe public moneys.
Bonds.
An increase inthe bonded debt OF the United
States at this time is entirely without excuse
The issue OF Understanding bonds within the
last few years has been defended On the ground
that it were necessary to secure gold with
which to redeem United States notes and
treasury notes; but this necessity has
been imaginary rather than real Iu-
stead OF exercising the legal right
vested in the United States TO redeem its
notes in either gold or silver, the executive
branch OF the government has followed a
precedent established by former administra-
tion and surrendered the option to the holder
OF the obligations. This administrative power
leaves the government at the mercy Of those
who find u pccunIary prolt in bond issues The