Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1896-09-18
LETTER or ACCEPTANCE.

+ Democratic National Convention:
Gentlemen: accept the nomination ten
cered by you on behalf of the Democratic
party, and in so doing desire to assure you
that fully appreciate the high honor which
such nomination confers and the grave re-
sponsiblities which accompany an election
TO the Presidency of the United States. So
deeply am 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 people,
that wish to enter the office, if elected free
from every personal desire except the desire
to prove worthy the confidence of my coun-
try. Human judgment is fallible enough
when unbiased by selfish considerations,
and in order that / may not be tempted to
use the patronage of the Office to advance
any personal ambition | hereby announce,
with all the emphasis which words can ex
press, my fixed determination not under
any circumstances to be candidate for re-
election if this campaign results in my cleo
ton.
l have carefully considered the platform
adopted by the Democratic National Con
vention, and unqualitiedly indorse each
plank thereof.
Our institutions rest upon the proposition
tkat all men, being created equal, are emit
tied 10 equal consideration at the hands OF
the government. Because all men are created
equal it follows that no citizen has 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 purpose must lead
the government, first, TO avoid acts OF affirm.
alive injustice, and second, TO restrain each
citizen from trespassiug upon the rights OF
any other citizen.
A democratic form of government is con-
ducive to the highest civilization because it
opens before each individual the greatest
opportunities for development and stimu-
lates to the highest endeavor by insuring to
each the full enjoyment of all the rewards
OF toll except such contribution as is neces
sary TO support the government which pro
tects him. Democracy is Indifferent to pedi
gree; 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 indi
vdual to worship God according to the die
tates of his own conscience. 1t welcomes
all to common brotherhood, and guaraI.
tees equal treatment to all, no matter in
which church or through what forms they
commune with their Creator.
Having discussed portions of the platform
at the time of its adoption and again when
your letter of notification was formally de-
livered, 1t will not be necessary at this time
to touch upon all the subjects embraced in
the party's declaration.
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 vigor-
GUS enforcement of law and the preserva-
ton of the public peace. In government
like ours law is but the equalization OF the
will of the peoples without it the citizen is
neither secure in the enjoyment of life and
liberty, nor protected in the pursuit of hap
piness. Without obedience to law govern
ment 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 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 local self government and suggests IAN
indissoluble union of indestructible States"
Our revolutionary fathers, fearing the ten
denotes toward Capitalization, as well as the
dangers of disintegration, guarded against
both, and national safety, as well as domes
tic security, is to be found in the careful OBJ
servance of the limitations which they i'm.
pose. 1t will be noticed that, while the
United States guarantees to every State
republican form of government and is en-
powered to protect each State against in
vasion, it is not authorized to interfere in
the domestic affairs of any State except up
on application of the Legislature OF the State,
or upon the application of the Executive
when the Legislature cannot be convened.
This provision rests upon the sound theory
that the people of the State, acting through
their legally chosen representatives, because
of their more intimate acquaintance with
local conditions are better qualified than the
President to Judge OF the necessity for Fed
eral assistance. Those who framed our Con
stitution wisely determined to make as broad
an application OF the principles of local self
government as circumstances would permit,
and we cannot dispute the correctness of
the position taken by them without express
ing distrust of the people themselves.
Since governments exist for the protec
ton for the rights OF the people and not for
their spoliation, no expenditure OF public
money can be justified unless that expendi
ture is necessary for the honest, economical,
and efficient administration of the govern
ment. In determining what appropriations
are necessary the interest of those who pay
the taxes should be consulted, rather than
the wishes of those who receive or disburse
public moneys
An increase in the bonded debt of the
United States at this time is entirely with
out excuse. The issue Of interest bearing
bonds within the last few years has been de-
Tended on the ground that they were neces.
sary to secure gold with which to redeem
United States notes and Treasury notes, but
this necessity has been imaginary rather
than real. Instrad of exercising the legal
right vested in the United States to redeem
its coin in either gold or silver, the execu-
tive branch of the government has followed
a precedent established by former admin
istration, and surrendered the option to the
holder of the obligations. This administra
tive policy leaves the government at the
mercy OF those who find pecuniary profit
in bond issues. The fact that the dealers in
money and securities have been able to de-
plete or protect the Treasury, according to
their changing whims, shows how danger
GUS it is to permit them to exercise a con-
trolling influence over the Treasury Depart.
ment. The government OF the United States
when administered in the interests of all
the people is able to establish and enforce
its financial policy not only WITHOUT the aid
OF syndicates, but in spite of any opposition
which syndicates may present To assert
that the government is dependent upon the
good will or assistance of any portion of the
people other than constitutional majority
is to assert that we have government in
form, but without vital force
The position taken by the platform against
the issue Of paper money by national banks
is supported by the highest Democratic
authority, as well as demanded by the in
terests Of the people. The present attempt
of the national banks to force the retirement
OF United States notes and Treasury notes