The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-08-13
THE SPEECH OF ACCEPTANCE.
Bryan Defends With Vigor the Position
Taken by His Party
Mr.. BRYAN said in part:

Mr.. Bryan said in part:
MIR. Chairman, gentlemen of the
committee and fellow citizens:
Il shall, at a future day and in
formal letter, accept the nomination
which IS now rendered by the Notifca-
tion committee and | shall at that time
touch upon the issues presented by
the platform. 1t is fitting, however,
that at this time, in the presence of
those here assembled, ! speak at some
length in regard to the campaign upon
which we are now entering. We do
not underestimate the forces arrayed
against rs, nor are we unmindful Of
The Importance of the struggle in
which we are engaged; but relying
for success upon the righteousness Of
our cause, we shall defend with all pos
si6le yigor the positions taken by our
party. We are not surprised that some
of our opponents, in the absence of bet
ter argument resort to abusive
epithets, but they may rest assured
that no language, however violent
no inyective, however vehement, will
lead us to depart single hairs
breadth from the course marked out
by the National convention. The citi-
zen, either public or private who as
sails the character and questions the
patriotism of the delegates assembled
in the Chicago convention assails the
character and questions the patriotism
of the millions who have arEayed them
selves under the banner there raised
ut has been charged by men stand
ing high in business and political cir
cles that our platform is a menace to
private security and public safety;
and it has been asserted that those
whom | have the honor, for the time
being to represent, not only mediate
an attack upon the rights of property,
but are the foes of social order and
National honor. Those who stand up
on the Chicago platform are pre- repared
to make known and to defend every
notion which influences them, every
purpose which animates them, and
every hope which inspires them. They
understand the genius of our institp-
tions. they are staunch supporters of
the form of government under which
we live and they build their faith upon
foundations laid by the fathers. Ant
drew Jackson has stated, with admir-
able clearness and with an emphasis
which cannot be surpassed, both the
duty and spirit of government. He
said: Distinctions in society will al
ways exist under every just govern
ment. Equality of talents, of educa-
tioR or of wealth cannot be produced
by human institutions. In the full en-
joyment of the gifts of heaven and
fruits Of superior industry, economy
and virtue, every man is equally en-
titled to protection by law
OBJECTS OF THE CAMPAIGN.
''We yield to one in our devotion to
the doctrine Just enunciated. Our cam
paign has not for it's object the re-
construction of society. We cannot
insure to the vicious the fruits of a
yirtuous life; we would not invade the
home Of the provident in order to
supply the wants Of the spendthrift;
we do not purpose to transfer the re-
wards of industry to the lap OF indo-
lence Property is end will remain
the stimulus Of endeayor and the com
pensation for toll. We believe, as as
serted in the Declaration of Independ-
ence, that all men are created equal;
but that does not mean that ali men
are or can be equal in possession
sessions, in ability orr in merit; it sim
ply means that all shall stand equal
before the law, and that government
officials shall not, in making, constru-
ing or enforcing the law, discriminate
between citizens.
I assert that property rights, as
we'll as the rights Of persons, are safe
in the hands of the common people
Abraham Lincoln in his message sent
to Congress in December, 1861, said:
No men li~ing are more worthy to-
= f1I vlx> -
are less inclined to take or touch aught
which they have not honestly earned
repeat his language with unqualified
and joined with him in the
warning which he added, namely: let
them beware of surrendering political
power which they already possess and
which power, If surrendered. will
surely be used to closes the doors of
against such as they, and
to fix new disabilities and burdens
upon them, until all of liberty shall
be lost Those who daily follow the
injunction: Tn the sweat of thy face
shalt thou eat bread are now. as
they ever have been, the bulwark
of law and order-the source of our
nations greatness 10 time of peace and
its surest defenders in time of war.
''But / have only read a part of Jack
sons utterance-let me give you his
conclusion: but when the laws under
take to add to those natural and inst
artificial distinctions to
grant titles, gratuities and exclusive
make the rich richer
and the potent more powerful--the
humble members of society-the farm
ers, mechanics and the day laborers-
who have neither the time nor the
means of securing like favors for them
selves. have a right to complain Of the
injustice Of their government Those
who support the Chicago platform en-
dorse all of the quotation from Jack
latter part as well as the
former part.
GLASSES AGAINST THE MASSES.
eve are not surprised to find array
ed against us those who are the bene-
ffciaries of government favoritism-- |
they have read our platform. Nor are
we surprised to learn that we must
in this campaign, face the hostility OF |
those who find a pecuniary advantage
ndxrnaaffner 4hn Jnokxs,,n f x,ax.