Mexico weekly ledger., 1896-08-20

on their efforts. Senator Jones shout
ed: 81 appeal to this crowd to be in
order" But he was not listened to,
and the crowd did not cease until it
felt like it. Then Mr.. Bryan spoks as
follows:
Mr.. Chairma y, Gentlemen OF sss Committe and
Felotc Citizens:
shall at a future day, and in q formal let
ter, accept the nomination which is now ten
dered to me by the notification committee,
aud 1 shall at that time touch upon the Issues
presented by the platform. 1t IS fitting, how
ever, 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 us, nor are we un-
mindful OF the Importance OF the strug-
gle in which we are engaged; but. relying for
success upon the righteousness OF our cause, we
shall defend with ell possible vigor the posi-
lions taken by our party. We are not surprised
That some of our opponents, in the absence
OF better argument, resort to abusive epithetsr
but they may rest assured that no Ian.
guage, however violent, no invectives, how
ever vehement will lead US to depart Q single
hairs breadth from the course marked out by
the national convention. The citizen, either
public or private, who assails the character
anu questions Tue pdlFlOLlSm U lHc utlckdtCs
assembled in the Chicago convention assails
the character and questions the patriotism OF
the millions who have arrayed themselves
under the banner there raised.
II has been charged by men standing high in
business and political circles that our plat
form is a menace to private security and pub
lie safety; and it has been asserted that those
whom 1 have the honor, for the time being, to
represent, not only mediate an attack upon
the rights of property, but are the foes both OF
social order and national honor.
Those who stand upon the Chicago platform
are prepared to make known and defend every
motive which influences them, every purpose
which animates them, and every hope which
inspires them. They understand the genius
OF our institutions; they are staunch support
ers OF the form OF government under which we
live, and they build their faith upon founda-
lions laid by the fathers. Andrew Jackson
has stated, with admirable clearness, and
with an emphasis which cannot be surpassed,
both the duty and sphere of government.
He said. Distinctions In society will al
ways exist under every Just government.
Equality of talents. Of education or of
wealth cannot be produced by human institu-
lions. In the full enjoyment OF the gifts OF
heaven and the fruits OF superior industry,
economy and virtue, every man is equally en-
titled to protection by law" We yield to none
In our devotion to the doctrine just enunciated.
Our campaign has not for its object the recon
vi 1 NeAISS AASAAS W NNN
vicious the fruits of a vlrtuous life. We would
not invade the home OF the ~provident in order
to supply the wants OF the spendthrift; we dc
not propose to transfer the rewards OF indus
try TO the lap OF Incidence. Property is ano
will remain the stimulous to endeavor and the
compensation for toll. We believe, as asserted
in the declaration of independence, that al
men are created equal: but that does not mean
that all men are or can be equal in posses
sions, in ability or merit. IL simply means tina
all shall stand equal before the law, and tina
government of1oials shall not, in making, con
STRUNG or enforcing the law, dlscr1mlnate De-
tween citizens.
1 assert that property rights, as we'll as the
rights OF persons. are safe in the hands OF thu
common people. Abraham Lincoln, in hi:
| message sent to congress in December 1851
said: mo men living are more to be trusted
than those who toll up from poverty; none les:
inclined to take or touch aught which they
have not honestly earned" 1 repeat his Ian
| guage with unqualified approval, and joir
with him In the warning which hi
added, namely: Let them beware o.
surrendering a political power which they
| already possess. and which power, IL surren-
| dered, will surely be used to close the doors Of
advancement against such as they, and to III
new disabilities and burdens upon them. til
all OF liberty shall be lost" Those who daily
follow the injunction, I'm the sweat OF thy
face shalt thou eat bread" are now, as they
uhNSC ttl DtNLf NAS ~ A"V $3.50 NA0Nh
the source OF our nations greatness In time
OF peace, and its surest defenders in time OF
war.
But 1 have only read a part of Jaekson's ut
terance. Let me give you his conclusion.
But when the laws undertake to add to those
natural and just advantages artificial distinc-
tions-to grant titles, gratuities and exclusive
privileges, to make the rich richer and the pc.
tent more powerful-the humble members Of
society. the farmers, mechanics and day Ia
borers, who have neither the time nor the
means of securing like favors for themselves
have a right to complain OF the injustice Of
their government" Those who support the
Chicago platform indorse all Of the quotation
from jackson, the latter part as well as the
former part.
We are not surprised to ind arrayed against
us those who are the benedciaries OF govern
ment fayoritism-they have read our platform
nor to learn that we must, in this campaign,
face the hostility Of those who find q pecuaiary
advantage in advocating the doctrine Of non
interference when great aggregations of wealth
are trespassing upon the rights Of individuals.
Such opposition is the highest Endorsement
which could be bestowed upon us.
We are content to have the cooperation OF
those who desire to have the government ad
ministered without fear or favor. 1t is not tn,
wish OF the general public that trusts SHOULD
spring into existence and override the weake
members OF society; II Is not the wish Of tn
general public that these trusts should destro,
competition and then collect such tax as the!
will from those who are at their mercy; nor 1:
it the fault OF the general public that the in
strumentalities of government have been s
| often prostituted to purpose of private gain
| Those who stand upon the Chicago platform
| believe that the government should not onl,
| avoid wrougdoing, but that 1t should also pra
pent wrongdoing; ana they believe tnat tns
| law should be enforced alike against all enc
mics of the public wealth.
i rt,A rlfaarn r1affnrr0 hQS haan nnn64mnA(
by some, because it dissents from an opinion
rendered by the supreme court declaring the
income tax law unconstitutional. Our critic
even go so far as to apply the name anarcnis
10 those who stand upon that plank OF Tn
platform. 1t must be remembered that W
expressly recognize the binding force of tina
decision SO long as 1t stands as q part OF tn
law of the land. There Is in the platform n
suggestion of an attempt to dispute the au
thority OF the supreme court The party i
simply pledged to use all the constitutions
power which remains after that decision, o
which may come from its reversal by the cour
as 1t may hereafter be constituted" Is ther
any disloyalty In that pledger
When courts allow rehearings they admit
| that error Is possible; the late decision esains
the income tax was rendered by q majority o
one after q rehearing.
While the money question o~vershadows a
other questions in Importance, / desire 1t dis
tinctly understood that 1 shall offer no apol
ogy for the income tax plank OF the Chlcagt
platform. The last income tax law sough
to apportion the burdens OF government
more equally among those who enjoy tn
protection OF the government. At present tn
expenses Of the federal government, collecte
through internal revenue taxes and impol
duties, are especially burdensome upon th
poorer classes of society. A law which CO.
lects from some citizens more than their shar
OF the taxes and collects from other citizen
less than their share, Is simply an indires
means OF transferring one mans property t
another mans pocket, and while the process
may be quite satisfactory to the men VIII
escape Just taxation. 1t can never b
satisfactory TO those who are overburdenec
Not only shall Irefuse to apologize for the &C
vocacy OF an income tax law by the nations
convention, but I shall also refuse to apologize
for the exercise by 1t Of the right OF dissen
from q decision OF the supreme court. In
government like ours every public on1cial Is
public servant, and the people have o right {
c~riticise his oficial acts. No public oficff
who conscientiously discharges his duty wi
desire to deny to those he serves the right I
discuss his oricial conduct.
1t Is scarcely necessary to defend the prtn
ciple of bimetallism. No national party dul
ing the entire history OF the United States ht
ever declared against it, and no party in thi
campaign has had the temerity TO oppose 1
Three parties-the democratic, populist an
silver parties-have not only declared for b
metallism, but have outlined the specific lea
islation necessary to restore silver to Its 81
cient position by the side OF gold. The repul
lican platform expressly declares that bime
allism Is desirable when IL pledges the repul
lican party to aid In securing 1t as soon as tn
assistance Of certain foreign nations can be oil