Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-08-13

nomination rendered by the notifca-
ton committee and | shall at that time
touch upon the issues presented by the
platform. 1t Is fitting, howeve~, at
this time and In the presence of these
here assembled. that | speak at some
length in regard to the campaign upon
which we are now entering We do
not under estimate the forces arraycd
against u.s. nor are we unmindful of
the Importance of the struggle in
which we are engaged. Relying for
cause, we shall defend with all posi-
bic vigor the positions taken by our
party. We are not surprised that some
OF our opponents, in the absence of bet
ter arguments. resort to abusive cpl
thets. They may rest assured that no
language, however violent. no invec-
tives, however vehement, will lead us
to depart one single hairs breadth
from the course marked out by the ma
tional convention. The citizen. either
public or private, who assails the char
acter and questions the patriotism of
the delegates assembled in the Chicago
convention, assals the character and
questions the patriotism of the mil
lions who have arrayed themselves
under the banner there raised
1t has been charged by men standing
high in business and political circles.
that our platform is a menace to pri-
vate security and public safety. II
has been asserted that those whom |
have the honor, at the time being, to
represent, not only mediate an at
tack upon the rights of property, but
are the foes both of social order and
Rational honor. Those who stand
upon the Chicago platform are pre-
pared to make known and defend ev-
cry motive which Influences them, ev-
cry purpose which anmates them, ev-
cry hope which inspires them. They
understand the genius of Institutions;
they are staunch supporters of the
government under which we live. and
they build their faith upon the founda
tions laid 10y their fathers.
our campaign has not for its object
the reconstruction of society. We can
not insure to- the Virtuous the fruits Of
q virtuous life We would not invade
the homes of the provident to supply
the wants Of the spendthrift We do
industry to the lap of Incidence. Prop
erty is ana will remain the stimulus
to cndcaVor and the compensation for
toll. We believe, as asserted in tn
Declaration of Independence. that all
men are created equal; but that docs
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 gov
eminent officials shall not. in making.
constructing or enforcing the law, dis
criminate between citizens. | assert
that property rights. as well as the
rights of persons are safe in the hands
Of the common people.
We are not surprised to find arragued
against US those who are bcneficiarics
OF government faVoritism. They have
not read our platform. Nor are We sur
prised to learn that We must in this
campaign face the hostility of those
who find pecuniary advantage in advo-
eating the doctrine of uun-interfcrcncc
when great aggreCations of wealth are
trcaSpaSsiug upon the rights of ud-
NidualS. We welcome such opposition
We are content to have cooperation
OF those who desire to have the gov
eminent administer without fear or
favor. II is not the wish of the gen
cral public that trusts should spring
into existence and override the weaker
members of society. Il is not the wish
Of thu general public that thos, trusts
should destroy competition and then
collect such tax as they will from
those who are at their mercy Nor is
il the faUlt a bt lat
instrumentalitics of government have
been 50 often prostitutcd to purposes
of private gain. Those who stand IN
on the Chicago platform believe the
government should not only avoid
wrong doing; but they believe that the
law should be enforced alike against
all enemies of the public veal
The commandment Thou shalt not
steal must be applied to the great as
wen as the small. to the strong as wen |
as the Weak .to corporate a person ere
ated by law as well as To the person Of |
flesh and blood created by the Almighty. |
NO. government is worthy Of the name |
which IS not able to protect from every |
arm urlifted for his injury the hum |
blcst citizen who lives beneath the flag. |
1t follows as necessary conclusion that |
vicious legislation must be remcdied |
by the people who suffer from the cf-
fects of such legislation. not by those
who enjoy its benefits. The Chicago |
platform has been condemned by some |
because it disscnts from opinion rem
dcred by the supreme court declaring
the income tax law unconstitutional
1t must remembered that we cypress
~ recognize the binding force of that
decision so long as it stands as Il part of
the lay of the land. There is the plat
form no suggestion of an attempt to
Il spute the authority of the supreme
court The party is simply pledged t.
use al constitutional power which re
mains after that decision. or which
may come rom its reversal by the
court as it may hereafter be consti-
tutcd
Is there any disloyalty in that pledge?
v mic the money question over
shadows other questions, | desire 1t
ilStlncty understood | shall offer no
APOLOGY for the income tax plank of
he Chicago platform
The law which collects from some
'itiZcns more than their share of the
axes ana collects from other citizens
css than their share is simply an in
tf no. NC .,f -.