The evening bulletin. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1887-1905, 1896-08-15
BRYAN'S SPEECH.

Mr. Chairman, Gentlemen of the Com
mittee and Fellow-citizens: l shall, at
future day in formal letter, accept the
nomination 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 as
sembled 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 I'M
mindful 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
vigor the positions taken by our party.
We are not surprised that some of our OPP
ponents, in the absence of better argd-
ment, resort to abusive epithets, but they
may rest assured that no language. how
ever violent, no invectives, however vehe-
ment will lead us to depart 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, ass iils the character and
questions the patriotism of the millions
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 menace TO private secur-
ity and public safety; and 1t has been as
serted that these whom have the honor.
for the time being, to represent not only
mediate an attack upon the rights Of
property but are the foes OF social order
and national honor.
Those who stand upon the Chicago plat
form are prepared to make known and de-
fend every motion 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 foundations laid
by the fathers Andrew Jackson has stated
with admirable clearness and with an EN-
phasis which can not be surpassed both
the duty and the sphere of government.
He said distinctions in society will al
ways exist under every just government.
Equality of education, OF talents or of
wealth can not be produced by human in
situations. In the full enjoyment of the
gifts of heaven and the 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 can not secure to the vicious
the fruits of virtuous life. We would
not invade the home of the provident in
order TO supply the wants of the spend
thrift; we do not propose to transfer the
rewards of industry to the lap of indo-
lence. Property Is and will remain tic
stimulus to endeavor, and the compensa
ton for toll. We believe, as asserted in
the Declaration of Independence, that all
men are created equal; but that does not
mean that all men are or can have equal
possessions or merit; 1t means that all
Shall stand equal before the law, and that
government officials shall not, in making,
constituting or enforcing the law, discrimi-
nate between citizens.
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, 1861, said:
mo men living are more worthy to be
trusted than those who toll up from prop
erty; none less inclined to take or touch
aught which they have not honestly
earned"
repeat his language with unqualified
approval and join with him In the warn
ing, he added, namely:
Let them beware of surrendering a po-
litical power which they already possess
and which power, If surrendered, will
surely be used to close the doors OF adj
vancement against such as they and TO fix
new disabilities and burdens upon them
till all of liberty shall be lost.
Those who daily follow the injunction
DIN the sweat of thy face shall thy eat
bread" are now as they ever have been,
the bulwark of law and order-the series
of our nations greatness in time OF peace
and it's surest defenders in time of war.
But have only read a part OF Jackson's
utterance--let me give you his conclu-
sion: but when the laws undertake to
add to those natural and Just advantages
artificial distinctions, to make the rich
richer and the potent more powerful-the
humble members of society-the farmers,
mechanics and the day laborers, who have
ing like favors for themselves have right
to complain of the injustice of their gov
ernment." Those who support the Chi
caQo platform endorse all Of the quota
ton from Jacksonville latter part as well
as the former part.
We are not surprised to find arrayed
against us those who are the beneficiaries
OF government Notwithstanding have read
our platform. Nor are we surprised 10
learn that we must in this campaign face
the hostility of those who find a pecuniary
advantage In advocating the doctrine OF
noninterference when great aggregatlons
of wealth are trespassing upon the rights
of individuals. We welcome such opposi-
ton. 1t is the highest Endorsement which
could be bestowed upon us. We are con-
tent to have the cooperation OF those who
desire to have the government admins
tered without fear or favor. 1t Is not the
wish of the general public that trusts
should spring into existence and override
the weaker members Of society; IL is not
the fault of the general public that those
trusts should destroy competition and then
collect such tax as they will from those
who are at their mercy; NOR Is 1t the wish
of the general public that the instrument
talities of government have been SO often
prostituted to purposes of private gain.
Those who stand upon the Chicago plat
form believe that the government should
not only avoid wrongdoing but that 1t
should also pervent wrongdoing; and they
believe that the law should be enforced
alike against all enemies OF the public
veal
They do not excuse petit larceny, but