The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1896-09-16
INDORSES EVERY PLANK.
A Letter of Acceptance from W.
J. Bryan.
Democratic Nominee for tho Presidency
Stands by All the Declarations OF the
Chicago Platform and Says One
Torn VIII be Enough for
Him Ii Elected.

ing is Mr. Bryan's letter accepting The
nomination Of the democratic party;
Hon. Stephen NJ White and other members oil
the notification committee of the democratic
national committee:
Gentlemen--I accept. the nomination ten
dered by you on behalf of the democratic party,
and In so doing desire to assure you that fully
appreciate the high honor which such nom
ination conterS and the grave responsibilities
which accompany an election to the presidency
OF the United States. So deeply am ! ini-
pressed with the magnitude OF the powerNesteQ
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 II
elected free from any personal desire, except
the desire TO prove worthy Of the confidence OF
my country Human Judgment is fallible
enough when unbiased by selfish considera-
tionS and in order that may not be tempted
to use the patronage Of an Office to advance any
personal ambition, hereby announce, with oil
the emphasis which words can express my
fixed determination not, under any circum-
stances. TO be candidate for reelection In
case this campaign results In my election.
1 have carefully considered the platform
adopted by the democratic national convention
and unqualitiedly indorse every plank thereon.
Our institutions rest upon the proposition
that all men. being created equal are entitled
TO equal consideration at the hands OF the gov
ernment Because all men are created equal,
IT follows that no citizen has natural right TO
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
mcnt first, 10 avoid acts of affirmative inius-
tice and, second, to restrain each citizen from
cgip M the riuhtG OF other nitt-
zen. democratic form OF government is con-
ducive to the highest civilization, because 1t
opens before each individual the greatest op-
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. De-
mocracy is indifferent to pedtgree-it deals
with the ipdll lidual rather than with his an
costors. Democracy ignores dinerehceS in
wealth-ne!t ther riches nor poverty can be in
Volied in behalf of or against any citizen De-
moCracy knows 10 crced-recognizlng the right
Of each individual to worship God according TO
the dictates Of his own conscience, It welcomes
ell to common brotherhood and guarantees
equal treatment to all, no matter in what
church or through what forms they commune
with their Creator.
Having discussed portions Of tho platform at
the time Of its adoption, and again when your
letter Of notification was formally delivered, II
will not be necessary at this time to touch
upon al the subjects embraced in the party's
declaration. Honest differences OF opinion have
ever existed and will ever exist as to the
most effective means OF securing domestic
tranquility, but no citizen fails TO recognize Ut
all times and under all circumstances the alb
solute necessity for the prompt and vigorous
anfOrppnput Of lnNy md the nrpSArVntiQu Cf the
public peace. In government like ours law is
but the capitalization of the will OF the people;
without it the citizen is neither secure in the
enjoyment OF life and liberty, nor protected
in the pursuit OF happiness. Without ooedi-
ence to law, government is imposS ble The
democratic party is pledged to defend the con-
etitution and enforce the laws of the United
States, and it is also pledged to protect and
defend the dual scheme OF government insti-
tuted by the founders cf the r public, The
name United States was happily chosen. 1t
combines the idea OF national strength with
the idea of local self-Kovernment and suggests
an indisSoluble union or indestructib!c states
Our wise foro.athers, fearing tho tendency
toward Capitalization as well as the dangers Of
disintegration, guarded agains. both and ma
tional safety as well as domestic security Is to
be found in the careful observance Of the limi-
tations which they imposed upon 1t. 1t will be
noticed that while the United States guGran-
tees TO every state republican form Of gov
ernment and is empowered to protect each
state against invasion, 1t Is not authorized to
interfere In the domestic affairs OF any state,
except upon application Of the legislature Of
the state or upon the application OF the cxecu-
tive when the Legislature cannot be convened.
This provision rests upon the sound theory
that the people of the state, acting through
heir Inro Iu arc hn-
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 constitution
wisely determined to make as broad an appli-
cation ~ the principles Of local self-govern-
msnt as circumstances would permit, and we
cannot dispute the correctness of the position
taken ly them without expressing a distrust
OF the y, ople themselves,
ECONOMY.
Since governments exist for the protection
of the rights Of the people and hot for their
spoil ion. no expenditure OF public money can
be justified unless that expenditure IS necessary
for lhe honest, economical and efficient admin
isrratiou OF the government In determining
what apl ropriatons are necessary the inter-
esis OF those who pay the taxes should be con-
suited. rather than the wishes of those who re-
celve or d.sburse public moneys.
BONDS.
An increased bonded debt OF the United
States ut this time Is entirely without excuse
The issue Of interest ,earirs; bonds within Se
last few years has been defended on the ground
that they were necessary TO secure gold with
which to redeem United States notes and treas
ury notes; but this neceS ity has beer imagin-
ary rather than real. Instead Of exercising
the legal right vested in the UYited States tC
y cnin In n a. Or ci tho ~
ecuive branch OF the government has followed
precedent established by former admins
trltion and surrendered the option to holder
OF tne obligations. This administrative 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 deplete or protect the treas
ury according to their changing whims, shows
how dangerous 1t is to permit them to exercise
controlling influence over the treasury de.
partnent The government OF the United
States, when administered in the interest o.
ali the people, is able to establish and main.
tain its own financial policy not only without
the aid OF any syndicates, but In spite OF any
opposition which the syndcates may exert IL
assert that the government is dependent upol
the assistance or good VIII Of any portion o
the people other than constitutional majori
" Is to assert that we have o government II
form, but without vital force
NATIONAL BANK CURRENCY.
The position taken by the platform agains
the issue OF paper money by national banks i
supported by the highest democratic authority
as well as demanded by the interests Of tn
people. The present attempt Of the nationa
banks to force the retirement Of United State
notes and treasury notes in order 70 secure
basis for larger Issue Of their own notes
illustrates the danger which arises from per
mitting them to issue their paper as clrcu
lating medium The national bank note, bein
redeemable In lawful money, has never bee
better than the United States note whic
a,e,ds, bahtpd and vat tho ha oLy ant