The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-08-21
Bryan's Speech Of Acceptance.

Mr.. Bryan was nominated at Chi
cago on the 11th of July and on the
18th of August at Madison Square
Garden, in New York City he deliver
ed his speech accepting his nomina-
tion as president by the democratic
party. He has therefore had month
to prepare his speech, and we may
reasonably suppose that he put forth
the strongest arguments possible, in
support of his position and his party.
The speech is too long for the JOURNAL
to reprint, and it is not necessary
the people will read it in various daily
papers; but we can notice the argu-
ments produced, and offer few sug-
gestions in answer to them.
Mr.. Bryan begins by attempting to
answer the charge that the democratic
platform and principles are ga menace
to private security, and public safety"
To this charge he answers, that the
democrats have all of the common peo-
pie of the country united in their sup
port; that Lincoln said we could trust
the common people; that they should
beware of surrendering their power,
politically, to the few, who would use
1t TO prevent the advancement of the
common people, etc.; that Jackson
said artificial advantages and privileges
should not be created by law, and if
so, the farmers would have right to
complain. He goes on to say legisla-
tion has been vicious, and the plain
people must remedy it.
The above is the substance Of his
answer. We may, for arguments
sake, admit all he says, and then the
charge would still be unanswered. We
do not admit all he says, however.
All of the common people are not
with the democrats. All the honest
people are not democrats. The COM
mon people who are democrats did not
originate and make the democratic
platform. Those who did make it,
could have been honest in purpose and
yet have made great mistake, as they
did, on the financial policy of the gov
ernment. 1t is big question and
many people do not understand it. 1t
was just as easy for the democrats to
make mistake as it was for the re-
publicans.
But the old party "boss" was in
great power and force in the demo-
cratic party at Chicago and they are
still in force all over the country, just
as they are in Mason County, as was
shown in the County Convention in
Shelton, on the 10th. Not only that;
but the discarded and discredited re-
publican bosses, who were thrown over
board by the plain people of the re-
publican party two years ago, were on
hand to counsel and combine with the
democratic bosses to put certain men
to the front and thrust others to the
rear. The bosses are out for Office,
and the man who makes his canvass
and his appeal directly to the people
stands no show. The plain people
have no voice in making nominations
in that party in this county, and we
believe the same state of affairs exis is
in every county in the state, and IN
every state in the Union. Even in
the case of Mr.. Bryan, the plain peo-
ple. at their homes, had not consider
ed him as a possible candidate. The
bosses nominated him because they
thought that they could catch the
populist vote thereby. So much for
Mr.. Bryan's first argument.
AS for what he says in reference to
the income tax decision by the U. S.
Supreme Court, we take no issue with
him. We believe in the principle of
income taxation.
The remainder of his speech was de-
voted to the money question. On this
he truly says that the republican party
does not condemn bimetallism. We
contend for cooperation with the COM
mercial nations, while the democrats
propose to act without seeking such
assistance. That is the issue and the
only issue between the democrats and
the republicans on the money ques-
ton.
Yet, Notwithstanding his clear state
ment Of the issue between the demo-
Gratis and republicans on this question,
Mr. Bryan devotes nearly his entire
sneech to prove the benefits of BIZ
metallism. He argues against no one
and against no platform or party. We
all believe in gold and silver money
without Mr.. Bryan's speech. We only
differ with him on the question OF bow
to remonetize silver with safety to the