Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-09-18
.DRYAN'S LETTER.
Formally Accepting the Chicago
Nomination.
BONDS And BANK CURRENCY

PIanks In the Platform Upon
Which He Stands-.1e Announces
His Determination Not Under Any
Circumstances to be a Candida g
For Election.
The following is the letter in part OF Hon
VIM. ]. Bryan, accepting the Democratic
domination for President Of the United
States:
Hon Stephen NJ. White and tthers, mem-
bers CT the notification committee OF the
Democratic National Convention
"Gentiemen: 81 accept the nomination ten
Tered by you on behalf of the Democratic
oarty. and in doing 50 desire to assure you
hat fully appreciate the high honor which
Iuch a nomination confers and the grave re-
possibilities which accompany the election
% the 2 esidency Of the United States 80
deeply am impressed with the magnitude
If the power vested by the con tita Ion Id
,he Chief Executive OF the nation AMI with
he enormous influence which he can wlell
Tor the benefit or Injury Of the people that |
wish to enter the Office, II electe !. free from
'yery personal desire except the desire to
grove worthy OF the conlldance Of my coun-
:ry. Human judgment is faIible enough
when unbiased by selfish consdera ions. and
IN order that might not he tempted t. use
he patronage Of the Office to advance any
personal ambition, | Hereby announce, with
lil the emphasis vi ch words can express,
NY fixed determination not under a y cir
9umstances to be candidate for reelection
n case this campaign results in my cleo
;'on.
Il have carefully considered the platform
adopted by the Democratic national conyen-
lion and unqualiAedly indorse each plank
hereof
American Institutions.
"Our institutions rest upon the proposi
lion that all men being created equal, are en-
titled to equal consideration at the hands O.
the government Because all men are ere
ated equal it follows that no citizen has
natural right to injure any other citizen. The
main purpose of government being to pro-
ect all citizens in the enjoyment Of life, lib
erty and tie pursuit of happiness, this pur
pose must lead the government first to
avoid acts OF affirmative injustice, and sec
ond to restrain each citizen from traspAss-
ing upon tho rights Of any other citizen.
"A Democratic form Of government is con-
I,ot;,o 30 tha hi1bao+ ofvilizafiop hp0nuoo II
opens before each individual the greatest Op-
portunities for development AMI stimulates
to the highest endeayOr by insuring to each
the full enjoyment OF all the rewards OF toll
except such contribution rs Is necessary to
support the government which protects him
Democracy is indifferent to pediyree-!t
deals with the individual rather than with
his ancestors. Democracy ignores differ-
ences In wellth-neither riches or poverty
can be invoked in behalf of or against any
citizen. Democracy knows no creed-recog
nizing the right of each individual to wor-
ship God according to the dictates Of lis own
conscience, it welcomes all to common
brotherhood and guarantees equal eatment
to ALL no matter in what church or tn: ough
what forms they commune with their Crea
tor.
A Dual Government.
"Having discussed po' tions Of the plat
form at the time Of its adoption, and again,
when your letter Of notification was formally
delivered, it would not b, necessary at this
time to touch upon all the subjects embraced
In the partys declaration.
"Honest differences Of opinion have ever
existed and ever will exist as to the LIost ef-
iective means of securing domestic tranquil
ity. but no citizen fails to recognize at all
times and under all circumstances the abso-
lutte necessity for the prompt and vigorous
enforcement OF law and the rrcscrvat on OF
the public peace In government like ours
law is but the crysta!zation Of the will Of the
people: without it the citizen is neither Sc
cure in tie enjoyment of life and liberty, nor
out obedience to law government is impos-
sibe
Economy.
'Slnce the governments exist for the pro-
lection Of the rights Of the people and not
for their spolatioD, no expenditure Of public
money can be justified unless that expendl-
ture is necessary for the honest, economical
and efficient administration of the govern
ment. In determining what appropriations
are necessary the interest of those who pay
the taxes should be consulted rather than
the wishes Of those who receive or dsburse
public moneys.
The Bonded Debt.
"An increase In the bonded debt OF the
United States at this time is entirely with
out excuse. The issue Of Understanding
bonds within the last few years has been de-
Tended on the ground that they were neces-
sary to secure gold with which to redeem
United States notes and treasury notes, but
his necessity has beon imaginary rather
shan real. Instca OF exercising the legal
rights vested in the Unit Il States to redeem
its coin in either golI or silver, the executive
branch of the government has fyllowed
precedent established by a former admins
tration and surrendered the option to the
holder Of the obligations This administra
tive policy leaves the government at the
mercy Of those who find pecuniary profit
in bond issues.
National Bank Currency.
"The position taken 10y the platform
against the issue of paper money by national
banks is supported by the highest demo-
cratic authority, as well rs demanded by the