The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-08-20
BRYAN'S ADDRESS
The Democratic Candidates
Formal Acceptance of the
Presidential Nomination,
The Full Text of His
New York Speech.

MIR. CHAIRMAN, GENTLEMEN OF THE
COMMITTEE AND FELLOW CIrIZENs-I
snail at n future day and in a formal letter
accept the nomination which is now ten
dered by the notification committee. and I
snail 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 VIC are now entering We do not
underestimate the forces arrayed against
us, nor are we unmindful of the impor-
tance 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 Ian
guage however violent, no invectiyes,
however vehement, will lead us to depart
single hairbreadth from the course
marked out by the national convention
Tho citizen, either public or private, who
assails the character and questions the pa
triotism of the delegates assembled in the
Chicago convention assails the character
and questions the patriotism of the mil
lions 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 Il menace to private secur-
ity and public safety, and it has been as
serted that those whom 1 have the honor
for the time being to represent not only
mediate an attack upon the rights of
property, but are the foes both of social
order and national honor
Those who stand upon the Chicago plat
form arc prepared to make known and to
defend every motive which influences them,
every purpose which animates them and
every hope which inspires them. They un-
dcrstand the genius of our institutions,
they are stanch supporters of the form of
government under which VIC live, and they
build their faith upon foundations laid by
the fathers. Andrew jackson has stated,
with admirable clcarncss and with an en-
phasis which cannot be surpassed, both
the duty and the sphere of government.
| He said: ''DistinctiOns in society will al
ways exist under every just government.
| Equality OF talents, of education or of
wealth cannot be produced by human in
stitutions. In the full enjoyment of the
| gifts of heaven an the fruits of superior
| industry, economy and virtue every man
is equally entitled to protection by law. -
| We yield to none in our devotion to the doc
| trinc just cnunciated. Our campaign has
not for its object tho reconstruction of So
| ccty. We cannot insure to the vicious the
| fruits of virtuous life; we would not in
wade the home of the provident in order to
supply the wants Of the spendthrift; we do
not propose to transfer the rewards of in
tiustry to the lap of Incidence. Property is
and will remain the stimulus to cndcavor
/ and the compensation for toll. We be-
lieve, as asserted in tho Declaration of In
| dependence, that all men arc created equal,
| but that does not mean that all men are
| or can be equal in possessions, in ability
or in merit. 1t simply means that all shall
stand equal before the law, and that gov
ernmcnt officials shall not, in making, con-
STRUNG or enforcing the law, discriminate
| between citizens.