Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-09-17
BRYAN'S LETTER.
The Formal Acceptance Of the
Democratic Nomination.
Various Interesting Subjects Briefly Dwelt
Upon-Tremendous Results Expected
Over the Action Of the United
States on the Money Question.

yesterday made public his letter accept
ing the democratic nomination. ltsful
text Is as follows:
Hon. Stephen NJ White and Other Members Q
the Notification Committee OF the Demo
cratic Convention:
Gentlemen: I accept the nomination ten
dered by you on behalf OF the democratic part
and In so doing desire to assure you that
fully appreciate the high honor which noml
nation confers and the grave responsibilities
which accompany an election to the presldenc!
OF the Unitel States. So deeply am ! i'm
pressed with the power vested by the constitu
tion In the chief executive OF the nation, ant
with the enormous Influence which he car
WELD for the benefit or Injury Of the people
that | wish to enter the ohice, II elected fret
from any personal desire, ex 'ept the desire To
prove worthy Of the confidence Of my country
Human judgment Is faible enough when un.
biased by selfish considerations and IN order
that may not be tempted to use the patron
age Of an Office 10 advance any personal ambi-
tion. hereby announce, with all the emphasis
which words can express my fixed determine
tsn not, under any circumstances, to be can
didate for reelection In case this campaign
results In my election | have carefully con-
sdered ths platform adopted by the demo-
cratic national convention and unqualihedly
indorse every plank thereon
Our institutions rest upon the proposition
that ail men, being created equal, are entitled
TO equal consideration ut the hands Of the gov
eminent because that all men are created
equal no citizen has Il natural right 10 in1ure
any other citizen. The main object OF govern
ment being to protect all citizens in the enjoy
ment Of life, liberty and the pursuit OF happl-
ness, this purpose must lead the government
first to avoid acts Of affirmative injustice and
second. to restrain each citizen from trespass-
Ing upon the rights Of any other citizen
A democratic form OF government Is condu-
Give to the highest civilization because II onens
TO each individual the greatest opportunities
for development and stimulates to the highest
endeavor by insuring to each the full enjoy
ment OF all the rewards OF toll. except such
contribution as Is necessary to support which
protects him Democracy Is Indifferent TO ped
igree--it deals with the individual rather than
with his ancestors Democracy Ignores differ
ences In wealth, neither riches nor poverty
can be invoked In behalf or against any citi-
zen. Democracy knows no creed, recognizing
the right OF each individual to worship God &C.
cording TO the dictates Of his own conscience
II welcomes all to common brotherhood and
guarantees equal treatment to all, no matter
In what church or through what forms they
commune with their Creator.
Having discussed portions OF the platform at
the time Of It's adoption and again when your
letter Of notification was formally delivered 1t
will not DO necessary at this time to touch up
on all the subjects embraced In the partys
declarations. Honest differences Of opinion
have ever existed and ever will exist as to the
most effective means Of securing domestic
tranquility, but no citizen fails to recognize
OF all times and under oil circumstances the
absolute necessity for the prompt and vlgor-
Gus enforcement Of the law and the preserva-
tion Of public peace In government like
ours law Is but the Crystallzati0n OF the will
Of the people, without 1t the citizen Is neither
secure In the enjoyment OF life and liberty,
nor protected In the pursuit OF happiness
Without obedience to law, government Is M
possible
The democratic party Is pledged to defend
the constitution and enforce the laws Of the
United States, and 1t Is also pledged to perfect
and defend The dual scheme Of government In
stituted by the founders Of the republic The
name United States was happily chosen, 1t
combines the idea OF national strength with
the idea Of local government and suggests on
"ind ssoluble union Of distinct states" Our
wise forefathsrs, fearing the tendency toward
Capitalization as well as the dangers Of dlsn-
tegration, guarded against both, and national
safety, as well IN domestic security, isto be
found in the careful observance OF the limita-
ton which they impose 1t has been
noticed that while the United States
to every state u republican
form Of government and is empowered to pro-
teot each state against invasion, 1t is not au-
thorized TO interfere In the domestic affairs
Of any ESTATE except upon the 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 representatives, are, be-
cause OF their more intimate acquaintance
with the local conditions. better qualified than
The president to Judge Of the necessity for
federal assistance Those who framed the
wisely determined to make as
broad an application Of the principles Of local
self government as circumstances would per-
nit, and we cannot dispute the correctness Of the
position taken by them without expressing
distrust Of the people themselves.
Economy.
OIL. o.. -
of the rights Of the people and not for their
spoilation, no expenditure OF public money can
be justified unless that expenditure is neoes-
sary for the honest, economical and efficient
administration OF the government In deter ,
mining what appropriations are necessary, the
interests OF those who pay the taxes should DO
consulted rather than the wishes Of those who
receive or disburse public moneys
Bonds.
An increase In the bonded debt OF the United
States ut this time Is entirely without excuse
rhe issue Of interest bearing bonds within
he last few years was defended that they |
we're necessary with which to obtain gold with
which to redeem bonds and United States
notes and treasury notes, but this necessity |
las been imaginary rather than real Instead
II exercising the legal right vested In the
United States to redeem Its coin In either gold
,r silver, the executive branch Of the govern
nent has followed o precedent established by
former administration and surrendered
he option to the holder Of the obli-
,ations. This administration policy leaves
he government at the mercy Of those who
Ind o pecuniary profit In bond issues The
act that the dealers In money and securities
lave been able to deplete or protect the treas
Try according TO their changing whims, shows
low dangerous II Is to permit them 10 exer-
Use controlling influence over the treasury
department The government Of the United
states, when administered In the interest Of
III the people, Is able to establish aud maintain
IS own financial policy, not only without the
I'D OF any syndicates but In spite Of any oppo-
ition which the syndicates may exert To as
iert that the government Is dependent upon
he assistance or good will Of portion OF the
,eople or other than constitutional majority.
. 70 assert that We have government In
orm. but without vital force.
National Bank Currency.
The position taken BY the platform against
he Issue Of paper money by national banks Is
Imported by the highest democratic authority
s we'll o. demanded by the interests Of the
'eople The present attempt Of the national
anks to force the retirement Of United States