The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-09-10

Lincoln, Neb., Sept. 9.-Following is
William J. Bryan's formal letter accept
ing the Democratic nomination for Presi-
dent:
'Hon. Stephen White and other mem
bers of the notification committee of
the Democratic national conventions:
Gentlemen: accept the nomination
rendered by you on behalf of the Demo
cratic party, and in so doing desire TO as
sure you that | fully appreciate the high
honor which such nomination confers,
and the grave responsibilities which ac-
company an election to the Presidency
of the United States. So deeply am I
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 injury of the peo-
pie, that wish to enter the office, if
elected, free from every personal desire
except the desire to prove worthy the
confidence of my country.
AGAINST A SECOND TERN.
"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 adj
vance any personal ambition, l hereby
announce, with all the emphasis that
words can express, my fixed determine
ton not to, under any circumstances, be
candidate for reelection if this cam
paign results in my election.
81 have carefully considered the plat
form adopted by the Democratic national
convention, and unqualifiedly endorse
each plank thereof
"Our. institutions rest upon the propo-
sition that all men, being created
equal, are entitled to equal consideration
at the hands of the Government Be-
cause all men are created equal it follows
that no citizen has natural right to in
jure any other citizen. The main pur-
pose of government being to protect all
citizens in the enjoyment of life, liberty
and pursuit of happiness, this purpose
must lead the government, first to avoid
acts of Affirmative injustice, and, second,
to restrain each citizen from trespassing
upon the rights of any other citizen.
DEMOCRACY KNOWS NO CREED
GA democratic. form of. government is
conducive to the highest civilization,
because it opens before each individual
the greatest opportunities for develop
ment and stimulates to the highest en-
deavor by ensuring to each the full en-
joyment of the rewards of toll, except
such contributions as is necessary to sup
port the government which protects him.
Demo cracy is Indifferent to pedigree-it
deals with the individual rather than
with his ancestors Democracy ignores
differences in wealth-neither riches nor
poverty can be invoked in behalf of or
against any citizen. Democracy knows
no creed-recognizing the right of each
individual to worship God according to
the dictates of his own conscience. 1t
welcomes all to n common brotherhood
nd ,tnnr - oil
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 it's adoption, and
again when your letter of notification
was formally delivered, it will not be
necessary at this time to touch upon all
the subjects embraced in the party's
declaration.
LAW IS THE PEOPLES WILL.
"Honest differences of opinion have
ever existed as to the most effective means
of securing Democratic tranquility; 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 crystallization
of the will of the people; without it the
citizen is neither secure in the enjoyment
of life nor protected in the pursuit of
happiness Without obedience to law
government is impossible The Demo-
cratic party is pledged to defend the con-
stitution 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, United
States, was happily chosen. 1t combines
the idea of national strength with the
idea of self local government and sug
gests 'an indissolubie union of indestructi-
BILE States Our Revolutionary fathers,
fearing the tendencies towards centraliza
tion as we'll as the dangers of disin-
tegration, guarded against both, and
national safety, as we'll as Democratic
security, is to be found in careful obser-
vance of the limitations which they i'm
pose. IL 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 democratic affairs of any State ex-
cept upon application of the legislature
of the State, or upon the application of
the executive, or when he legislature
cannot be convened.
FOR STATES RIGHTS.
''This provision rests upon the sound
theory that the people of the State, act
ing through their legally chosen repre-
sentatiyes, are, because of their more in
innate acquaintance with local con1i-
tions, better qualified than the President
tn ilIdpe of the necessity for federal as