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


time touch upon the issues presented by the
platform 1t is fitting, however, that at this
lime, in the presence of those here assembled,
speak ut some length in regard 70 the CAM
paign upon which we are now entering. We
do not underestimate the forces arraycd
apainst us nor are we unmindful Of the im-
portance of the struggle in which we are en-
gagged; but relying for success upon the
Righteousness of our cause we shall defend
with all possible vigor the positions taken by
our party. We are not surprised that some
of our opponents, in the absence of better
argument, resort to abusive epithets but they
may rest assured that no language, however
violent, no invectives, however vehement,
will lead us to depart single hairs breadth
from the course marked out by the national
convention. The citizen, either public or
private, who assails the character and ques
tons the patriotism of the delegates assem-
b'ei in the Chicago convention assails thu
character and questions the patriotism OF
the millions who have arrayed themselves
under the banner there raised.
1t has been charged by men standing high
in business and political circles 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 at
tack upon the rights OF property but are the
foes of social order and national honor.
Those who stand upon the Chicago platform
are prepared to make known and to defend
every notion xiaias iisstzaEa - ID
puEpSse>@hi animates them, and every
Hope which inspires them. They under
stand the genius Of our institutions, they
are staunch supporters Of the form of gov
ernmept under which We live and they build
their faith upon foundations laid by the IA
Tiers. Andrew Jackson has stated with ad-
mirable clearness and with an emphasis
which cannot be surpassed both in duty and
spirit of government. lie said: "Distinc-
tions in society will always exist under ev-
cry Just government. Equality of talents, of
education, or of wealth cannot be produced
by human institutions. In the full enjoy
ment of the gifts of heaven and fruits OF su-
perior industry, economy and virtue, every
man is equally entitled to protection by
law" We yield 10 none in our devotion to
the doctrine ust enunciated. Our cam
paign has not for its object the recOnstruc-
ton of society. We cannot insure to the
vicious the fruits of q virtuous life; we would
not invade the home of the pr0vident in or
der to supply the wants Of the spendthritL;
we don't propose to transfer the rewards OF
industry to the lap of Incidence. Poverty Is
and will remain the stimulus of endeavor
and the compensation for toll. We believe,
as asserted in the declaration OF indepen-
dence, that all men are created equal, but
that does not mean that all men are or can
be equal in possession, i'll ability or i'll merit;
II simply means that all shall stand equal
before the law and that government officials
shall not in making, coptrastlngor enforcing
the law, discriminate between citizens.
assert that property rights, as well 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 living are more wor-
thy to be trusted than those who toll; none
are less inclined to take or touch aught
which they have not honestly earned |
repeat his language with unqualified approv-
nj and Join with him in the warning which
he adued, namely: "Let them beware of
surrendering political power which they
already possess and which power, if sur
rendered, will surely be used to close the
doors of advancement 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: "ln
the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread,
are now, US they ever have been, the bull
wark of law and ordcr-the source of our
nations greatness in time Of peace aud its
surest defenders in time of war.
But have only read n part of jackson 3
utterance, let me give you his conclusion:
but when the laws undertake to add to
those natural and just advantages artificial
distinctions, to grant titles, gratitudes and
exclusive privileges; to make the rich rich
er, and the potent more powerful; the hum
BILE members of society-the farmers, me-
chanics and the day laborers-who have
neither the time nor the means OF securing
like favors for themselves--hav q right to
complain of the injustice Of their govern
ment." Those who support the Chicago
platform endorse all Of the quotation from
Jackson the latter part rs well n the form
er part.
We are not surprised TO find arrayed
against lls those who are benehclaries OF
government favoritism-they have read
our platform. Nor are We surprised to
learn that we must in this campaign face
the hospitality Of those who find pecuniary
advantage in advocating the doctrine OF non
interference when great aggregatlons OF
wealth are trespassing upon the rights oil IN
dividua g. We welcome such opposition-lt
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 administered without fear or
favor. Ii is not the wish Of the general
public that trusts should spring into exis-
tence and override the weaker members OF
society; it is not the wish of the general pub.
lie that these trusts should destroy competl-
ton and then collect such taxes they Will
from those who are at their mercy; nor is it
the fault of the general public that the in
strumentalities OF the government have been
so often prostituted TO purposes of private
gain. Those who stand upon the Chicago
platform believe that the government should
not only avoid wrong doing, but that it should
also prevent wrong doing, and they believe
that the law should be enfororced alike
against all enemies of the public veal. They
don't excuse petit larceny, but they declare
that grand larceny is equally crime; they
defend the occupation Of the highwayman
who robs the unsuspecting traveller, but they
include among the transgressors those who,
through the more polite and less hazardous
means of legislation, appropriate to their
own use the proceeds of the toll of others.
Referring to the income tax plank
of the Chicago platform Mr.. Bryan
said:
"For hundred years the Supreme Court
of the United States has sustained the prin-
ciple which underlies the income tax. Some