The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-09-10
CHICAGO PLATFORM DEFENDED
Money Question and Not the
Tariff the Great Issue Now
Before the People.
THE NATIONS DESTINY AT STAKE
Mr.. Bryan Declares That If Elected He
viii Under No Circumstances
be a Candidate For
Reflection.

Lincoln, Neb., Sept. 9.-Ihe follow
ing is William j. Bryan's formal letter
accepting the Democratic nomination
for President:
Hon. Stephen White and other mem
bers of the Notification committee of
the Democratic National convention:
Gentlemen: / accept the nomination
rendered by you on behalfof the Dem
-ocratic party, and in SO doing desire
to assure you that / fully appreciate
the high honor which such nomination
confers and the grave responsibilities
which accompany an election to the
Presidency of the United States. So
deeply am / impressed with the magni-
tude of the power invested by the Con-
stitution in the Chief Executive of the
nation and with the enormous inhu-
.ence 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 of the confidence of
my country. Human judgment is
fallibIe enough when unbiased by
selfish consideration, and in order that
I may not be tempted to use the
patronage of the office to advance any
personal ambition, I hereby announce,
with all the emphasis which words
can express, my determination not TO,
under any circumstances, be a candi-
date for reelection If this campaign
results in my election.
I have carefully considered the plat
form adopted by the Democratic Ma
tional convention and sunqualifedly
endorse each plank thereof.
MEANING OF DEMOCRACY.
Our institutions rest upon the pro-
position that all men, being created
equal, are entitled to equal considera-
ton at the hands of the government
Because all men are created equal it
follows that citizen has a natural
right to injure any other citizen. The
main purpose of goyarnment being to
protect all citizens in the enjoyment
of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.
this purpose must lead the govern
ment, first, to avoid acts of affirmative
injustice, and second to restrain each
citizen from trespassing upon the
rights ofsahy other citizen.
A Democratic form of government
is conducive to the highest civilization
because it opens before each individual
the greatest opportunities for develop
ment and stimulates to the highest
endeavor by insuring to each the full
enjoyment of the rewards of toll, ex-
cept such contribution as is necessary
to support the government which pro-
tects him. Democracy is Indifferent
TO pedigree--it deals with the individ-
ual 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 individ-
ual to worship God according to the
dictates of his own conscience. it well
comes all to a 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 the plat
form at the time of it's adoption and
again when your letter of notification
was formally delivered, it will not be
necessary at his time to touch upon
all the subjects it embraces in the
party's declaration.
LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT.
Honest differences of opinion have
ever existed and ever viii exist as to
sthe most effective means of securing
Democratic tranquility, but no citizen
fails to recognize at all times and un-
der all circumstances the absolute
necessity for the prompt and vigorous
enforcement of law and the preserva-
tion of the public peace. In a govern
ment like ours, law is but the crystali-
zation OF the will of the people; with
out it the citizen is neither secure in
the enjoyment Of life nor protected
IN the pursuit Of happiness Without
obedience to law government is impos-
sible-I5he Democratic party is pledged
to de*end the Constitution and enforce
the laws o. the United States, and it
is also pledged to respect and preserve
the dual scheme of government insti- +
tuted by the founders of the Republic. !
The name, United States was happily
chosen. 1T combines the idea Of ma
tional strength with the idea of local
self-goYernment and suggests 'an in
dissoluable union Of indestructible
States Our Revolutionary fathers,