The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-09-19

Wn2idm Jennings BryGn-
from any personal desire. except the desire to
prove worthy of the confidence of my country.
Human Judgment is falli5le enough when IN
biased BY selfish considerations, and in order
that | may not be tempted to Use the patron
age of an office to advance any personal ambi-
tiOH. thereby announce. with all the emphasis
which words can express, my fixed determine
tioa not, under any circumstances to he a can
dIdatc for recollection il case this cam paiEn re-
suits in my election.
l have carefully considered the platform
adopted by the Democratic national COnven-
tion, and unqualifiedly indorse every plank
therein
The Main Purposes of Government.
Our institutions rest upon the proposition
that all men. being created equal, are entitled
to equal consideration at the hands Of the gov
ernmeut- Because ali men are created equal,
it follows that no citizen has a natural right 10
inJure another citizen. The main purpose Of
government being to protect all citizens in the
enjoyment of life, liberty and the pursuit Of
happiness, this purpose must lead the govern
ment, first, to avoid acts Of affirmative in
justice, and. second, to restrain each citizen
from treSpassing upon the rights Of any other
citizen.
\ democratic form OF government is con-
ducive to the highest civilization, because it
opens before each individual the greatest OPP
portunities for development, and stimulates to
the highest endeavOr. by inSuring to each the
full enjoyment of all the rewards Of toll, eX-
cept such contribution as is necessary to sup
port the government which protects him.
Democracy is indifferent to pedigree-it deals
with the individual rather than his ancestors.
Democracy ignores differences in wealth,
neither riches nor pOve---- can be evoked in
behalf Of or against any citizen. Democracy
knows no reed-recOguizIng the right OF each
ii s-s g,--F - --.aIs .gH-F aaa,-VFa- . - H.
dictates of his own conscience, ii welcomes all
- a common brotherhood and guarantees
equal treatment to all, no matter in what
rhurch or through what forms they commune
with their Creator.
Our Dual Form of Government.
Having discussed portions of the platform at
the time OF its adoption. ana 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 decla-
rdtiOnS.
Honest differences of opinion have ever cX-
listed. and ever will exist, as to the most effective
means Of securing domestic tranquility, but
no citizen fails to recognize at all times
and under all circumstances the absolute
necessity for the prompt and vigorous enforce
mcut OF law and the preservation Of the pub
lie peace. In a government like ours, law is
but the cryStaliZatiOn Of the viii Of the people;
without ii. the citizen is neither secure in the
enjoyment Of life and liberty, nor protect
ell in the pursuit OF happiness. With
out obedience to law, government is
impossible. The democratic party is
pledged to defend the constitution and
inforce the laws OF the United States,
and it is also pledged to protect and defend 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 local
self government. and suggests IAN indlsSOluble
union OF understandable states"
The Forefathers and Capitalization
Our wise forefathers, fearing the tendency
toward GENERALIZATION, as well as the dangers
OF diSintegration, guarded against both. and
national safety. as well as domestic security,
IS to be found in the careful observance Of the
limitations which they impose. 1t Will be
noticed that, while the United States guaran-
tees to every state a 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 applica-
tion OF the executive when the legislature can
not 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 local conditions, better qualified than the
president to Judge of the necessity for federal
assistance. Those who framed our constitu-
tiOn wisely determined to make as broad an
application OF the principles of local self-gov-
trnment as circumstances would permit, and
we can not dispute the correctness of the posi-
ton taken by them without expressing a dis
trust OF the people themselves.
Economy.
Since government exists for the protection
Of the rights of the people, and not for their
spoilatiOn. no expenditure of public money can
be justified unless that expenditure is neces-
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 be
consulted rather than the wishes of those who
receive or disburse public moneys.
Bonds.
An increase in the bonded debt OF the United
States at this time is entirely without excuse.
TIE issue Of interest-bearing bonds within the
last few wears has been defended on the ground
that it were necessary to secure gold with
which to redeem United States notes and
treasury notes: but this necessity has
been imaginary rather than real. In
stead of exercising the legal right,
vested in the United States to redeem its
notes in either gold or silver, the executive
branch of the government has followed a
precedent established by q former administra-
ton and surrendered the option to the holder
OF the obligations. This administrative power
leaves the government at the mercy OF those
who find a pecuniary profit in bond issues. The
fact that the dealers in money and securities
have bssx eSle 70 deplete Or protect he