Evening star., 1896-08-13
Mr.. BRYAN'S SPEECH
Text of His Madison Square Garden
Address.
PLEA FOR COINAGE OF WHITE METAL
Discusses Various PIanks of the
Democratic Platform.
ARGUES AS TO STANDARDS

The speech delivered by Mr.. Bryan at
Madison Square Garden, New York city, last
night. upon being notified of his nomina-
ton for President, follows:
Mr. Chairman Gentlemen of the Com
mfttee and Fellow-citizens: 1 shall at a
future day and in a formal letter accept
the nominate ton 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 those
here assembled, 1 speak at some length in
regard to the campaign upon which we are
now entering. We do not underestimate
the forces arrayed against us, nor are we
unnnirdful of the Importance Of the strug-
gle in which we are engaged; but, relying
for success upon the righteousness of our
cause, we shall defend with all possible
yigOr the positions taken by our party. We
are not surprised that some Of our oppo-
nsnts, i'll the absence of better argument,
resort to abusive epithets. but they may
rest assured that no language, however
violent, no invectiyes. however vehement,
will lead us to depart in q 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 Chicago
convention assails the character and ques-
tions the patriotism of the millions who
have arrayed themselves under the banner
there raised.
The Platform Not Menace.
'It has been charged by men standing
nigh in business aud political circles that
our platform is a menace to private Sc
curity and public safety; and 1t has been
asserted that those whom I have the honor,
for the time being. to represent not only
mediate an attack upon the rights of prop
erty, but are the fees of social order and
national honor. Those who stand upon the
Chicago platform are prepared to make
known and to defend every motion which
Influences them, every purpose which ami
mates them, and every hope which inspires
them. They understand the genius of our
institution. they are stanch supporters of
the form Of government under which we
live. and they build their faith upon
founda tions laid by the fathers. Andrew
Jackson has stated with admirable clear
ness, and with an emphasis which cannot
be surpassed, both the duty and spirit of
government.
He said: Distinctions in society will
always exist under every just government.
Equality Of talents, Of education. or of
wealth cannot be produced by human insti-
tutions. In the full enjoyment of the gifts
of heaven and fruits of superior industry,
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 reconstruction of
society. We cannot insure to the vicious
the fruits of q virtuous life; 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
Industry 70 the lap of Incidence. Property
Is and will remain the stimulus TO endeavor
and the compensation for toll. We believe,
as asserted in the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, that all men are created equal;
but that does not mean that all men are or
can be equal in possessions, in ability or in
merit; IL simply means that all shall stand
equal before the law, and that government
officials shall not, in making. constituting
or enforcing the law, discriminate between
citizens.
Il assert that property rights. as well
as the rights of persons. are safe in the
hands OF the common people. Abraham
Lincoln. in his message sent to Congress
In December, 1851 said: No men living
are more worthy TO be trusted than those
who toll, none are less inclined to take or
touch aught which they have not honestly
cared L repeat his language with un-
qualified approval, and Join with him in
the warning which he added, namely: Let
them beware of surrendering political
power which they already possess, and
which power. if surrendered. will surely
be used TO close the doors of advance
ment against such as they. and to fix Lew
disabilities and burdens upon them until
all of liberty shall be lost Those who
daily follow the injunction, In the sweat
or thy face shalt thou eat bread are now,
as they ever have been, the bulwark of
law and order-the source of our nation 8
greatness in time of peace and its surest
defenders in tine of war
But L have only read a part of Jack
sons utterance. Let me give you his con-
cluston: But when the laws undertake
TO add TO those natural aud just advan-
ties sratuities and exclusive privileges
TO make the rich richer and the potent
more powerful-the humble members of
society, the farmers. mechanics and the
DAY Isnorers-vho have neither the time
nor the means of securing like favors
for themselves. have n right to complain
OF the injustice of their government
indoTse all Of the quotation from Jack
son-the latter part, as well as the former
part.
Arrayed Against the Democrats
I'VE are not surprised TO find arrayed
agaiI st us those who are the benefciar;es
of government favoritism-they have read
our platform. Nor are we surprised to
learn that We must in this campaign face
the hostility of those who find pecuniary
non-interference when great ageregations
of individuals. We welcome such op-
position-.t is the highest indorseme 1T
which could be bestowed upon t,s. We
are content to have the cooperation of