The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1896-08-20
THE ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
BRYAN FORMALLY ACCEPTS HIS
NOMINATION.
brilliant Speech of Acceptance Outlin-
ing the Principles lie Defends
The Man of the Hour
New York, Aug. p.

New York. Aug y.
Mr. Chairman, Gentlemen of the Com |
mlttee and Fellow Citizens: l shall at a
future day. and in a formal letter. accept |
the nomination which is now rendered me
by the notification committee. and l shall
at that time touch upon the issues pre-
sented by the platform. 1t is fitting,
however that at this time, in the pres
ence of the thousands here assembled,
speak at some length in regard to the
campaign upon which we are now enter
ing. We do not underestimate the forces
arrayed against us, nor are we unmind-
tul of the Importance of the struggle in
which we are engaged; but relying for
success upon the Righteousness of our
cause, we shall defend with all possible
vigor the positions taken by our party.
1--WE are not surprised that some of our
opponents, in the absence OF a better ar
gument resort TO abusive epithets, but
they may rest assured that no language
however violent or invective, however ve-
hement will lead us to depart single
hairs breadth from the course marked
| out by the national convention.
1.-The citizen, public or private, who as
| sails the character and questions the
| patriotism of the delegates assembled in
| the Chicago convention, assails the char
acter and questions the patriotism of mill
| ions who have arrayed themselves under
| the banner raised there. 1t has been
| charged by men standing high in bust
| ness and political circles that our plat
| form is a menace to private security and
public safety, and it has been asserted
| that those whom 1 have the honor Tor
| the time being to represent, not only med
| itate an attack upon the rights of prop
erty but are the foes of social order and
national honor. Those who stand upon
the Chicago platform are prepared TO
| make known and to defend every motive
| which Influences them, every purpose
| which animates them, and every hope
| which inspires them. They understand
| the genius OF our institutions They
are staunch supporters of the form of
government under which we live, and
they build their faith upon the founda-
tions laid by their fathers.
Andrew Jackson's Emphasis.
Andrew Jackson has stated with ad-
mirable clearness, and with an emphasis
which can not be surpassed, both the
duty and the function of this government.
He said Distinctions in society will al
ways exist under every just government
Equality of talents, or education or OIL
wealth can not be produced by human IN
stitutions. In the full enjoyment OF the
gifts of heaven and the fruits or superior
industry, economy and virtue, every man
Is equally entitled to protection by law
1--WE yield to none in our devotion to Inc
doctrine just enunciated. our campaign
has not for its object the reconstruction
of society We can not insure to the VIC
ious the fruits of a virtuous life; we
would not invade the home OF the prov
ldent in order to transfer the fruits OF
their industry to the lap of incidence
Property is and will remain the stimulus
to endeavor and the compensation 1or
toll. We believe, as asserted In the de-
claratlon of independence that all men
are created equal; but that does not mean
} that all men are or can be equal In pos
sessions, in ability, or in merits. 1t sim
ply means that all shall stand equal be
fore the law, and that government ON
cials shall not, in making, construing ol
enforcing the law, discriminate between
citizens. l assert that property rights
as well as the rights of persons, are SAT-
in the hands of the common people.
Abraham Lincoln to Congress.
"Abrat am Lincoln, in his message sen
to congress in December, 1861, said: N'
men living are more worthy to be trustee
than those who toll up from poverty
Q none less inclined to take or touch ausli
which they have not honestly aequireu'
n repeat his language with unqualileu ap
u proval, and join with him in the warn,n'
which he added, namely; Let theiii y
ware of surrendering a politicai po"e
which they already possess, ana WHICH
surrendered, will surely be useo 10 oios
the doors of advancement against
| as they, and to fix new disapinues ~ ~.
burdens upon them, till all OIL 'Neii ''
erty shall be lessened.
"Those who daily follow the injuncuoi
Tn the sweat of thy face shalt thou mn
bread are now, as they ever nave oe~'
the bulwark of the law and order, ID
source of our nations greatness in tim
of peace. and its surest defenders in tim
of war
"But I have only read a part of JacH
sons utterance. Let me give you n
conclusion: But when the laws unde
t.Le to add to those natural and ~:
advantages artificial distinction-to graz
titles eratuities and exclusive priva
:, benehts-to make the rich richer and u
~ notential more powerful, the hump
members Of society. the farmers IN
cbanics and the day laborers VINO na'
neither time nor the means of secnrii
like fayors for themselves, have rig
to complain of the injustice OF thelr go
ernment.
,oo They Endorse 1t All.
..Tbose who indorse the Chicago pla
form indorse all the quotations iro
or Jackson. the latter part as well as l
~ former part. We are not surprised
=. and arrayed against us those who are :
- bene6ciaries Of government fayorits
They have read our platform. NOT
al ,se surprised to learn that we must
this campaign, face the hostility Oh the
who find a pecuniary advantage IN
vocating the doctrine of the rights OIL
- d,vIduals. We welcome such opposlti'
= II Is the highest Endorsement which col
he bestowed upon US. We are content
- have the cooperation of those VINO
~ sire to have the government soininis'e'
81 without fear or favor. 1t Is not tne
81 of the general public that trusts sn'
al spring into existence and overrioe
q weaker members OF society III Is
~ the wish OF the general public that tru
should drive out competition ana u
collect such tax as they will from IN
who are at their mercy. Nor Is II