The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-09-17

tull text is as follows:
Hon. Stephen NJ. White and Other
Members of the Notification Com
mlttee of the Democratic Committee:
Gentlemen: l accept the nomina
ton rendered by you in behalf of the
Democratic party and in doing SO de-
sire to assure you that l fully appreci-
ate the high honor which such a nom-
lnatlon confers and the grave respon-
slDilltles which accompany an election
to the presidency of the United States.
SO deeply am l impressed with the
magnitude of the power vested by the
constitution in the chief executive of
the nation and with the enormous in
tiuence which he can WELD for the ben
etlt or injury of the people, that I wish
TO enter the office, if elected, without
any personal desire, save the desire to
prove worthy of the confidence of my
country. Human judgment is fallible
enough when unbiased by selfish con-
slderatlons, and in order that | may
not be tempted to use the patronage of
an office to advance my personal am
bitlon, | hereby announce, with all the
emphasis which words can express, my
fixed determination not, under any
circumstances TO be candidate for re-
election in case the campaign results
IN my election. | have carefully con-
sidered the platform adopted by the
Democratic national convention and
unqualifledly endorse every plank
therein.
Our institutions rest upon the posi-
ton that all men being created equal
are entitled to equal consideration at
the hands of the government. Because
all men being created equal, it follows
that no citizen has right to injure
another citizen. The main purpose of
government being to protect all citi-
zens in the enjoyment of life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness, this pur-
pose must lead the government, first,
TO avoid acts Of affirmative injustice
and, second, to restrain each citizen
from tresspassng upon the rights of
any other citizen. A Democratic
form of government is conducive to
highest civilization because it opens
before each individual the greatest
opportunities for development and
stimulates to the highest endeavor by
insuring to each the full enjoyment of
all the rewards of toll, except such
contribution as is necessary to support
the government which protects him.
Democracy is indifferent to pedigree
it deals with the individual rather than
with his ancestors. Democracy ig
nores differences in wealth. Neither
riches nor poverty can be invoked in
behalf of or against any citizen.
Democracy knows to creed-recog-
nizing the right of each individual to
worship God according to the dictates
of his own conscience. 1t welcomes
all to common brotherhood and
guarantees equal treatment to all, no
matter in what character or thr ough
what form they commune with their
Creator.
LAW THE CRYSTALIzATION OF THE PEO-
PIES WILL.
Having discussed portions Of the
platform at the time of its adoption,
and again when its letter of notifica-
ton was formally delivered it will not
be necessary at this time to touch
upon all the subjects embraced in its
declarations. Honest differences Of
I opinion have ever existed and ever will
exist as to the most effective means of
securing domestic tranquility but no
citizen fails to recognize at all times
and under all, circumstances the abso-
lutte necessity for its prompt and vlgor-
Gus enforcement of law and the pres
ervation of the public peace. In a
government like ours law is but the
crystalization of the will of the people,
without it the citizen is neither secure
in the enjoyment of life and liberty, nor
protected i'll the pursuit OF happiness.
Without obedience to law government
is impossible. The Democratic party
is pledged to defend the constitution
and enforce the laws of the United
States, and it is also pledged to sup
port and defend the dual scheme oi
government instituted by the founders
of the republic. The name United
States was happily chosen. 1t com
bines the idea of national strength with
the idea Of local self government and
suggests an indissoluble union Of lnde-
structible States.
STATES RIGHTS.
Our wise forefathers fearing the ten
dency toward Capitalization, as well
as the dangers of disintegration,
guarded against both, and national
safety as we'll as domestic security is
to be found in the careful observance
of the limitations which they impose
It will be noticed tha, while the United
States guarantees to every State
form OF government and is empowered
to protect each State against invasion
il is not authorized to interfere IN the
domestic affairs of any State, except
upon application Of the executive wher
the Legislature cannot be convened
This provision rests upon the souno
theory that the people of the State
acting through their legally choser
representatives, are, because of thei
most intimate acquaintance with loca
conditions, better qualified than the
president to judge Of the necessity to-