The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1896-09-17
NX TILLIAM ]. BRYAN has
w ssnanss ssnf ns following 's ,Rs s'fs sStatSs of as


committee of the Chicago convention:
Hon. Stephen NJ. White and Others,
Members of the Notification Committee
of the Democratic National Convention
Gentlemen: l accept the nomination
rendered by you on behalf of the Demo-
cratic party, and in so doing desire to
assure you that l fully appreciate the
high honor which such nomination con-
fers and the grave responsibilities which
accompany an election to the presidency
of the United States. SO deeply am
impressed with the magnitude of the pow
ed vested by the Constitution in the Chief
Executive of the nation and with the
benefit or injury of the people that L wish
to enter the office, if elected, free from
every personal desire except the desire to
prove worthy the confidence of my coun-
try. Human judgment is fallible enough
when unbiased by selfish considerations,
and in order that l may not be tempted to
use the patronage of the office to advance
any personal ambition, l hereby announce,
with all the emphasis which words can
express, my fixed determination not, un-
der any circumstances, to be candidate
for reelection in case this campaign re-
suits in my election.
Indorses the Platform.
l have carefully considered the plat.
form adopted by the Democratic national
convention and unqualihedly indorse each
plank thereof
Our institutions rest upon the PROPOSE
ton that all men, being created equal.
are entitled to equal consideration at the
hands of the Government. Because all
men are created equal it follows that no
citizen has natural right to injure any
other citizen. The main purpose of gov
ernment being to protect all citizens IN
the enjoyment of life, liberty and the pur,,
suit of happiness, this purpose must leaG
the Government, first, to avoid acts or
affirmative injustice, and, second, to re-
strain each citizen from trespassing upon
the rights of any other citizen.
4 democratic form of government Is
conducive to the highest civilization be-
cause it opens before each individual the
greatest opportunities for development
and stimulates to the highest endeavor by
insuring to each the full enjoyment of
all the rewards of toll except such contri-
button as is necessary to support the Gov
srnment which protects him. Democracy
is Indifferent to pedigree-it deals with
the individual rather than with his an
cestors. Democracy ignores differences
in wealth-neither riches nor poverty can
be invoked in behalf of or against any cit
izen. Democracy knows no creed-recog-
nizing the right of each individual to
worship God according to the dictates of
common brotherhood and guarantees
equal treatment to all, no matter in what
church or through what forms they COM
mune with their Creator.
Having discussed portions of the plat
form at the time of its adoption and again
when your letter of notification was for
mally delivered. it will not be necessary
ut this time to touch upon all the subjects
embraced in the party's declaration.
A Dual Government.
Honest differences of opinion have ever
existed and ever will exist as to the most
effective means of securing domestic tran
guilty, but no citizen fails to recognize
at all times and under all circumstances
the absolute necessity for the prompt and
vigorous enforcement of law and the
preservation of the public peace. In n
government like ours law is but the crys-
tallization of the will of the people; with
out it the citizen is neither secure in the
enjoyment of life and liberty nor protect
ed in the pursuit of happiness. Without
obedience to law government is impossi-
bic. The Democratic party is pledged to
defend the Constitution and enforce the
laws of the United States, and it is also
pledged to respect and preserve the dual
scheme of government instituted by the
founders of the republic. The name Uni
ted States was happily chosen. 1t COM
bines the idea of national strength with
the idea of local self-government and sug-
gests 'tan indissoluble union of indestruct-
ible States"
Our revolutionary fathers, fearing the
tendencies toward Capitalization, as well
as the dangers of disintegration, 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
~
TO every State a republican form of gov
ernment and is empowered to protect each
State against invasion, it is not author
ized to interfere in the domestic affairs
of any State except upon application of
the Legislature of the State or upon the
application of the Executive when the
Legislature cannot be convened.
This provision rests upon the sound
theory that the people of the State, acting
through their legally chosen representa-
tives. are, because of their more intimate
acquaintance with local conditions, better
qualified than the President to judge of
the Necessity for Federal assistance
Those who framed our Constitution wise
ly determined to make as broad an appli-
cation of the principles of local self-gov-
ernment as circumstances would permit,
and we cannot dispute the correctness of
the position taken by them without ex-
pressing distrust of the people them
selves.
Economy.
Since governments exist for the protec-
ton Of the rights of the people and not
for their spoliation, no expenditure of pub
lie money can be justified unless that ex-
penditure is necessary for the honest,
economical and efficient administration of
the government. In determining what ap-
preparations are necessary the interest
of those who pay the taxes should be con-
suited rather than the wishes of those
who receive or disburse public moneys.
Bonds.
An increase in the bonded debt of the
United States at this time is entirely with
out excuse. The issue of interest-bearing
bo11ds within the last few years has been
defended on the ground that they We're
necessary to secure gold with which to
redeem United States notes and treasury
notes, but this necessity was imaginary
rather than real. Instead of exercising
the legal right vested in the United States
to redeem it's coin in either gold or silver,
the executive branch of the Government
has followed precedent established by
former administration and surrendered
the option to the holder of the obligations.
This administrative policy leaves the Gov
ernment at the mercy of those who find
Il
fact that the dealers in money and securi-
ties have been able to deplete the treasury
according to the changing whims shows
how dangerous it is to permit them to
exercise controlling influence on the
Treasury Department.
The government of the United States
when administered in the interest of all
the people is able to establish and enforce
its financial policy, not only without the
aid of syndicates, but in spite of any
opposition which syndicates may present.
To assert that the Government is depend
ent upon the good will or assistance of
any portion of the people other than a
constitutional majority is to assert that
we have q government in form, but with
out vital force.
National Bank Currency.
The position taken by the platform
against the issue of paper money by ma
tional banks is supported by the highest
Democratic authority as well as demand
ed by the interests of the people. The
present attempt of the national banks to
force the retirement of United States
and in nrfar 10