Evening star., 1896-09-09
Mr.. BRYAN'S LETTER
Formal Acceptance Of the Democratic
Nomination.
EACH PLATFORM PLANK Is INDORSED
He Regards Discussion Of the Tariff
Unnecessary.
BOND ISSUES ANTAGONIZED

LINCOLN, Neb., September 9.-W. ].
Bryan, in his letter accepting the demo-
cratic nomination for President, announces
his firm determination rot, under any cir
cumstances, to be a candidate for re-elec-
ticn,'' in case he is elected in November.
He unqualifedly indorses each plank of the
democratic platform. His letter is as fol-
lows:
Hon. Stephen White and other members OF
the notification committee of the demo-
cratic national convention:
Gentlemen: / accept the nomination ten
dered by you on behalfaof the democratic
party, and in SO doing desire to assure you
that 1 fully appreciate the high honor
which such a nomination conferS and the
grave responsibilities which accompany an
election to the presidency of the United
States So deeply am l impressed with the
magnitude Of the power invested by the
Constitution in the chief executive of the
nation and with the enormous influence
which he can weld for the benefit or
jury of the people that wish to enter the
office, If elected, free from every personal
desire except the desire to prove worthy the
confidence of my country. Human judg-
n.ent 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 am
bitfCn, l hereby announce, with all the EN-
phasis which words can express, my fixed
determination not to under any circum
stances be a candidate for reelection If
this campaign results in my election.
l have carefully considered the platform
adopted by the democratic national conven-
ton and unqualifiedly indorse each plank
thereof.
Our institutions rest upon the proposition
that all men, being created equal,
titled TO equal consideration at the hands of
the government. Because all men are Gre
ated equal 1t follows that no citizen has a
natural right to injure any other citizen.
The main purpose of government being TO
protect all citizens in the enjoyment Of life,
liberty and 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 trespass-
ing upon the rights of any other citizen.
A democratic form of government is
conducive to the highest civilization be-
cause 1T opens before each individual the
greatest opportunities for development and
stimulates to the highest endeavor by in
Suring to each the full enjoyment of the
rewards of toll, except such contribution
as is necessary TO support the government
which protects him. Democracy is indif-
ferent to pedigree-it deals with the indi-
vidual rather than with his ancestors. De-
mccracy ignores differences in wealth.
neither riches nor poverty can be invoked
In behalf of or against any citizen. De
mocracy knows no creed-recognizng the
right of each individual to worship God ac-
cording to the dictates of his own con-
science, it welcomes all TO common bro
therhood 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 plat
form at the time of its adoption and again
when your letter of notification was for
mally delivered, it will not be necessary
at 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
quillity, 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 pres
ervation Of the public peace. In a govern
ment like ours law is but the crystalliza-
ton of the will of the people; without it
the citizen is neither secure in the enjoy
ment of life nor protected in the pursuit
of happiness. Without obedience to law
government is impossible. The democratic
party is pledged to defend the Constitution
and enforce the laws of the United States
and 1t Is also pledged to respect and pre-
serve the dual scheme of government insu-
tuted 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 self government, and
suggests IAN indissoluble union OF inde-
structible States" Our revolutionary IA
traiZation, as well as the dangers of dis
integration, guarded against both, and ma
tional safety, as well as domestic security,
t3 to be found in the careful observance of
the limitations which they impose. 1t will
be. noticed that, while the United States
guarantees to every state republican
form of government and is empowered to
protect each state against invasion, it Is
not authorized 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 leg
islature cannot be convened.
This provision rests upon the sound the
ory that the people of the state, acting
through their legally chosen representa-
tives, are, because of their more intimate
acquaintance with local conditions bet
ter qualified than the President to judge
Of the necessity for federal assistance.
Those who framed our Constitution wisely
determined to make as brold an applica-
ton of the principles of local sef-govern-
ment as circumstances would permit, and
we cannot dispute the correctness Of the
position taken by them without expressing
q distrust CT the people themselves.
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
expenditure is necessary for the honest,
economical and efficient administration of
IropriaticnS 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
UntedStates is at this time entirely without
excuse. The issue of interest-bearing
bonds within the last few years, has been
defended on the ground that they were
necessary to secure gold with which to re-
deem United States notes and treasury
notes, but this necessity was imaginary,
rather than real. Instead OF exercising the
legal right vested i'll the United States to
r. deem its coin in either gold. Or silver, the
executive branch Of the government has
foilo wed precedent established by for
IEer administration and surrendered the
option to the holder of the obligations. This
admin istrative policy leaves the govern
ment at the mercy of those who find pe-
cuniary profit in bond issues. The fact that
the dealers i,l money and securities have
teen able to deplete or protect the treas
TRY according to the changing whims,
shows how dangerous it is to permit them
to exercise controlling influence of the
Treasury Department. The government of
the United States when admin. ST ared in