The Philipsburg mail. [volume] (Philipsburg, Mont.) 1887-current, 1896-08-20
BRYAN'S ACCEPTANCE
Speech of the Presidential Nominee at
the Notification Meeting.
MONEY PLANK AND PLATFORM
Its Reference to Trusts and the In
come Tax Law Also Briefly
Reviewed.

The following is the speech Of Hon.
William ]. Bryan, delivered at Mad1-
son Square Garden on the occasion OF
his not itication of the democratic NOM
ination for presto ent
Mr.. Chairman and yGcntlcmcn OF trc
Committee, and Fellow Citizens: l shall
at II future day and in a formal letter. ac-
cept the nomination which is now tend
cred by the notification committee :Ld !
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 here assembled, speak at some
length in regard to the campaign upon
which we are now entering.
We do not er-estimate the forces
arrayed against us, neither are we un-
mindful of the Importance of the struggle
in which we are engaged; but relying for
success upon the righteousness Of our
rause we shall defend with all possible
vigor the positions taken by our party
We are not surprised that some OF our
opponents, in the absence of better argu-
ment resort to abusive epithets, but they
may be assured that no language, how
!, ever violent will lead us to depart sin
gle hairs breath from the course marked
izen, either public or private, who assaults
the character and questions the patriot
ism Of the delegates assembled in the Chi
cago convention, assails the characterand
questions the patriotism of millions who
have arrayed themselves under the BAN
her there raised.
1t has been charged by men standing
high in business and political circles that
curity and public safety; and it has been
asserted that those whom l have the
honor, for the time being to represent
| not only mediate an attack on the rights
of property, 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 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 govern
ment under which we live and they build
their faith upon foundations laid by the
fathers.
| Would Reconstruct Society.
| Our campaign has not for its object the
reconstruction of society. We cannot in
sure to the vicious the fruits of a virtuous
life; we would not invade the home of
the provident in order to supply the wants
of the spendthrift; we do not propose to
transfer the rewards of industry to the
lap of Incidence. Property is and will re-
main the stimulus to endeavor and the
compensation for toll.
We believe, as asserted in the declara.
ton of independence, that all men are
created equal; but that does not mean
that all men are or can be equal in posses
sions, in ability or in merit it simply
means that all shall stand equal before
the law and that government officials
shall not, in making, constructing or en-
forcing the law, discriminate between
citizens.
assert that property rights, as we'll as
the rights of persons, are safe in the
hands of the common people.
Abraham Lincon, in his message sent
to congress in December, 1861, said: "Ne
men living are more worthy to be trusted
than those who toll up from poverty, mono
less inclined to take or touch ought which
they have not honestly earned"
repeat his language with unqualified
approval and join with him in the warn
ing which he added, namely: LET then
beware Of surrendering a political power
Whlch they already possess, and which
power, if surrendered, will surely be used
to close the doors of advancement 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 ''In the sweat Of thy face
shall thou eat bread" are now as they
ever have been, the bulwark of law ant
order, the source Of our nations greatnes:
| n nj of Hart
in time of war.