The record-union., 1896-08-13

Committee and Fellow Citizens: shall
at future day and in a formal letter
accept the nomination which is now
rendered by the Notification Committee
and l shall at that time touch upon the
issues presented by the platform. 1t
is fitting, however, that at this time, in
the presence of these here assembled
I speak at some length in regard to the
campaign upon which we are now en-
tering.
I'VE do not underestimate the forces
arrayed against us, nor are we I'M
mindful of the Importance of the strug--
gle in which we are engaged; but, rely
ing 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 epi-
thets, but they may rest assured that
no language however violent, no in
vectives however vehement, will lead
US to depart a single hairs breadth
from the course marked out by the
national convention. The citizen
either public or private, who assails the
character and questions the patriotism
of the delegates assembled in the Chi
cago convention assails the character
and questions the patriotism of the
millions who have arrayed themselves
under the banner there raised.
1T 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 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
platform are prepared to make known
and to defend every motive which in
fiuences them, every purpose which an
mates them and every hope which in
spires them. They understand the
genius of our institutions; they are
stanch supporters of the form of gov
ernment under which we live. and they
build their faith upon foundations laid
by the fathers. Andrew Jackson has
stated with admirable clearness and
with an emphasis which cannot be sur
passed both the duty and the sphere of
government. He said: Distinctions in
society viii always exist under every
just Government. Equality of talents
of education or of wealth cannot be
produced by human institutions. In
the full enjoyment of the gifts of
heaven and the fruits of superior in
dustry, economy and virtue. every man
is equally entitled to protection by law.
we yield TO none in our devotion to
the doctrine just enunciated. Our
campaign has not for its object the re-
construction of society We cannot in
sure to the virtuous the fruits of a vir-
tuous lire. we would not invade the
home of the provident in order to supply
the wants of the spendthrift: we do not
propose to transfer the rewards of in
dustry to the lap of Incidence Property
is and will remain the stimulus to en-
deavor and the compensation for toll
/ We believe. as asserted in the Declara-
ton of Independence, that all men are
created equal; but that does not mean
that all men are or can be equal in pos
/ sessions, in ability or in merit: it simply
means that all shall stand equal before
the law, and that Government officials
shall not in making. constituting or en-
! forcing the law. discriminate between
citizens. | assert that property rights,
as well as the rights of persons. are safe
| III the hands of the common people.
Abraham Lincoln, in his message sent to
| Congress IN December, 1861, said: No
Iaen living are more worthy to be
! trusted than those who toll up from
/ poverty; none less inclined to take or
touch aught which they have not hon