The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-08-23

the vast amphatitheatre of Madison
Square Garden, New York, and sixty
thousand surged up and down outside
the walls of the great building, to
hear Hon William j. Bryan, OF Nebras-
ka, accept the Democratic nomination
for President. 1t was the night OF Au-
gust 18th, and was the largest gather
ing of the kind ever seen in the United
States. Mr.. Bryan was enthusiast
tically received and wildly cheered.
On the platform, besides Mr.. Bryan
and Hon. Arthur Sewall, Of Maine, the
Democratic nominee for Vice-Presi-
dent. were distinguished Democrats
from every part of the country.
1t was the grandest reception ever
accorded any candidate.
The following is Mr. Bryan's speech
of acceptance in full:
Mr.. Chairman, gentlemen of the
committee and fellow citizens:
II shall, at future day and in a
formal letter, accept tie nomination
which IS now rendered by the Notitica-
ton committee and | shall at that time
touch upon the issues presented by
the platform. 1t is fitting, however,
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 unmindful of
the Importance of the struggle in
which we are engaged; but relying
for success upon the righteousness of
our cause, we shall defend with all pos
sible vigor the positions taken by our
party. We are not surprised that some
of our opponents, in the absence of bet
ter argument, resort to abusive
epithets, but they may rest assured
that no language, however violent,
no inyectiye, however vehement, will
lead US to depart a single hairs
breadth from the course marked out
by the National convention. The citi-
zen, either public or private who as
sails the character and questions the
patriotism Of the delegates assembled
in the Chicago convention assaiis the
character and questions the patriotism
of the millions who have arrayed them
selves under the banner there raised.
at has been charged by men stand
ing high in business and political cir
cles that our platform is a menace TO
private security and public safety;
and it has been asserted that those
whom I have the honor, for the time
being to represent, not only mediate
an attack upon the rights of property,
but are the foes of social order and
National honor. Those who stand up
on the Chicago platform are prepared
to make known and to defend every
purpose which animates them, and
every hope which inspires them. They
understand the genius of our institu-
tons, they are staunch supporters of
the form of government under which
we live and they build their faith upon
foundations laid by the fathers. AIT
drew Jackson has stated, with admir-
able clearness and with an emphasis
which cannot be surpassed, both the
duty and spirit of government He
said: Distinctions in society will al
ways exist under every just govern
ment. Equality of talents, of educa-
ton or of wealth cannot be produced
by human institutions. In the full en-
ioyment of the gifts Of heaven and
fruits of superior industry, economy
and virtue, every man is equally eR-
titled to protection by law
OBJECTS OF THE CAMPAIGN.
1--WE WELD to none in our devotion to
the doctrine just enunciated Our cam
construction of socieuT. We cannot
insure to the vicious the 1s-uits or
r;rtuous life; we would not invade tle
home of the provident in order TO
supply the wants of the spendthrift;
we do not purpose to transfer the re-
wards OF industry to the lap OF indo-
lence. Property IS sud will remain
the stimulus u egrdeavor and the com
Han -. 49,
serted in the Declaration OF fndepend-
ence, that all men are created equal;
but that does not mean that III men
are or can be equal in possessions
in ability or in merit; it sim
ply means that all shall stand equal
before the law, and that government
officials shall not, in making, constru-
ing or enforcing the law, discriminate
between citizens.
Il assert that property rights, az
we'll as the rights of persons, are safe
in the hands OF the common people
Abraham Lincoln ia his message sent
to Congress in December, 1861, said
No men living are more worthy IL
be trusted than those who toll, none
are less inclined to take or touch au9ht
which they have not honestly earned
repeat his language with unqualified
approval and join with him in the
warning which he added, namely: 'Le1
them beware OF surrendering politica
power which they already possess anC
which power, if surrendered, viii
surely be used to close the doors o
advancement against such as they, ant
to fix new disabilities and burdens
upon them. until all Of liberty shall
be lost Those who daily follow tn
Injunction: In the sweat of thy fac
shalt thou eat bread are now, a.
they ever have been, the bulwarl
of law and order-the source OF on
nations greatness in time OF peace an
ito surest defenders in time of war.