The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-07
Remarkable Acceptance Letter from
a. Man who Makes All His Con-
tracts Payable in Gold.
He CONDEMNS SOUND MONEY
on THE PLEA THAT. 1T RODS THE
POOR AND ENRICHES THE RICH,
And Cries alas! for the Republic"
When He Considers the Awful
Condition of the Country.

BATH, Me, Oct. 6.-FIon. Arthur Sewall,
Democratic candidate for Vice President
OF the United States, tonight made public
his letter of acceptance 1t is as follows:
Hon. Stephen b. White, Chairman, and mem
bers OF the Notification Committee:
Gentlemen, L have the honor to accept
in writing l have already verbally done,
the nomination rendered by you on penaAI
of the Democratic party as its candidate
for Vice President OF The United States.
And, in so doing, l am glad first 10 express
my satisfaction that the platform OF our
party which has commanded my lifelong
allegiance, IS honestly ana fully declare.
tory OF all the principles and especially of
the absorbing financial issue upon Wnich
you say, [ took my stand when the
hours of triumph seemed remote, and
when arrogant money changers throughout
the world boast that the conquest OF the
American masses are completed.
These principles have been of late in
allegiance, but only because those Whom we
trusted to maintain them have failed 10 do
so; these principles can never die. We have
rescued our party from those, who. under
the influence OF money power have con-
trolled and debased it. Our mission now is
to rescue from this same power, and It's
foreign allies. our own beloved country.
This 10 the first and highest duty imposed
by our party's platform; upon the perform
ance OF this duty all other reforms they
assure; the proof of good government is d
contented and happy people. and the su-
preme test Of both is the ability TO guide
the country through crises well to
administer the government in ordinary
times.
our people now face a crisis more Sc
rious than any since the war. To what
party shall they turn in their dire emer-
gency? 1t is true that the present crisis
may not involve all equally, that there are
those VINO 40 not suILer now ana may not
suffer should the crisis threatened by the
gold standard come on in all its fury:
Human sefishness makes these deaf to all
appeals, but to these. fortunately, the DEM
ocratic party has never needed to appeal
to win it's battles. does it now, save
as there are some among them who can
rise superior to self in the sacrifice which
such Il crisis demands of every patriot. We
are told that the country has proSpered
under the present monetary standard, that
its wealth has enormously Increased.
hands of the toiers, the producers, the
farmers, the miners the fabricators in the
factories, the fraters of the Nations wealth
an peace, its defenders III war? Have they
the prosperity which was theirs so late as
even twenty years ago?~I deny it. They
deny it. None affirm it save those whose
interests it is to do so. Whose profit would
diminish prosperity returns to those on
whose distress they thrive?
'All is indeed right between capital and
labor. The best money in the world is
none too good for those who have got it.
people who have got it to get?' How is it
with those who must buy this best money
own labor? These are the people for whom
the Democratic partly would legislate.
What is the best money for these? is the
question for all to ask who really love this
land. How else can you increase labor $
purchasing power but by increasing the
price of labors products? Is il a fair
measure OF values that in our great pro-
ducing section ten bushels of potatoes must
be paid for dollar. ten bushels OF. oats
for a dollar, six bushels of corn for q
dollar, three bushels of wheat and all other
products of the soil and mines, and the
ratio? Does any fair mind say this is
honest money that forces such an exchange
IS it less than robbery? This is the con-
dition to which the single gold standard
has brought us. Under it the appreciation
of the best money in the world has in
creased the wealth of the rich, and for the
same reason has increased the, debt OF the
debtor. So it has been, so under the pres
ent standard it must continue to be.
ALAS. FOR THE REPUBLIC"
with these object lessons about me lit
tie need have we for history and statistics,
and the studies of scholars Little salts
faction is it to US that they warned US
long since of the deadly evil of the gold
standard. 1t has brought at last to the
parting of the ways. Whittier shall the
people go-in the way that has led to their
enslavenent, or into that which offers them
their only chance to regain individual liber
ty lasting prosperity and happiness? Let
not our opponents charge US with creating
class distinction. Alas. for the Republic,
they are already here, created by the Re
publican policy of the last thirty years
created by the very system we would now
overthrow and destroy.
Nor do we raise a sectional issue. The
nomination you tender repels the charge.
None knew better than | that this nominal
ton is meant no personal tribute, but
as an assurance that our party is Il nom
sectional party. Not by our policy, but
only by the continuance of the gold stand
ard can sectionalsm be revived. Neither
shall our opponenls be permitted to terrlIy
the people ny predictions that temporary
disturbance or panic Will come from the
policy we propose. The American people
will be loyal TO the Nations money will
stand behind it and maintain 1t at what
ever value they themselves may put upon IT,
once before III the present generation
have the people been called on TO race
uomentous crisis What then said Mr.. Lin
loIn The chosen leader of the pain people
of the land? Was he aWed by threats or
weakened by the willy persuasion Oh the
false friends, who, as to-day, pleaded Tor
compromise with wrong. lis answer was.
If our sense of duty torbids this, then let
us stand by our duty tearlessly and erect
ively. Let US be diverted by none OF these
SopniSticaI ccntriVanceS, such as cropping
wrong, reversing the oivine rule and call
ing not the sinners but the righteous to
repentan re, such as InVocatlonS to WASH
ington, implorinS men 10 unsay what W. ASH
ington SAID, and undo what Washington
did Neither let us be slandered from our
duty Dy false accusations against US. Let
US nave faith that right makes might and
in that faith let US TO the end dare to 90
Our duty as we understand it,.
We know well the nature OF the struggle
in which we are engaged; We are anxious
only that the people o. the land shall UNI
derstand it, and then our battle is won
Behind the strong intrenchment of the
god standard gathered ali those ia
Vored classes it has restored, the only dam
gerous classes OF the aand. AVarlce and
| unhoiy greed are there every trust and
combination is there. Every monopoly Is
there led by the greatest monopoly of ALL
the monopoly of gold. With us III our as
sauIt upon these IntTencnm4ntS are all
these unseitish men, VINO not now suHering
themselves, cannot rest content with con-
ditionS full OF sunerlng Tor others, and
that VaSter mum Der OF our people -Sho
have been sacrificed to the small and selfish
class who now resist their attempts to re-
gain their ancient rights and liberties.
these are the patriots OF 1885, the foes of d
dishonest dollar which enriches 10 per
cent. OF people to rob the rest, the de-
tenders of the homes OF the land. the pub
lie morals and the public faith, both of
which alike forbid the payment OF govern
who have to pay that that the contracts
call for; the defenders of the Nation whose
most sacred charge is 10 care for the well
fare of all its citizens.
The free and unlimited coinage of silver
is the sole remedy with which to check
the wrongs of To-Day. to undo the ruin of
the past and for our inspiration we have
the justice of our cause and those cherished
principles of Jefferson and jackson which
shall be guide our return TO power.
Equal and exact Justice to All men. Also
iority. the vital principles of republics, the
honest payment of our debts and sacred
preservation of the public faith.
. Profoundly sensible OF the nigh honor