Evening journal., 1896-09-10
BRYAN'S ACCEPTANCE.
Formal Letter of the Democratic Nom
inee For President.
INDORsEs THE PLATFORM.
The Tariff, He Declares. May Wait Awhile
Until More Pressing Questions Can
BE Settled - WIN Not Again
Become a Candidate.

run VeAJ or the letter OF Hon. w. j. bryan 4
accepting the Democratic nomination for /
the presidency. 1t was given out this aft
ernoon:
Hon. stephen M. White and Others, Members
Of the Notification Committee Of the Demo
cratic National Convention
GENTLEMEN-I accept the nomination ten
dered by You on behalf Of the Democratic pnr-
ty, and in so doing desire to assure YOU that l
fully appreciate the high honor which such
nomination confers and the grave responsible
ities which accompany an election TO the presl-
dcncy Of the United States. So deeply am i'm
pressed with the magnitude Of the power
vested by the constitution in the chief eNecu
tive OF the nation, and with the enormous IN ,
huence which he can WELD for the benefit or
injury of the people, that / wish to enter the
office, If elected, free from every personal de-
sire except the desire to prove worthy the
confidence Of my country. Human Judgment
is falliblo enough when unbiased by selfish
considerations and in order that / may not be
tempted to use tho patronage of the oince 90
advance any personal ambition ! hereby an
nounce with all the emphasis which words
can express, my fixed determination not under
any circumstances to be a candidate for re-
election IN case this campaign results IN my
election.
have carefully considered the platform
adopted by the Democratic national conyen-
tion, and unqualiiedly indorse each plank
thereof
A democratic form Of government is con-
ducive TO the highest civilization because 1t
opens before each individual the greatest op
portunities for development and stimulates TO
the highest endeavor by insuring to each the
full enjoyment of all the rewards OF toll eN-
cept such contribution as is necessary to sup
port the government which protects nm
Democracy is indifferent TO pedigree. II deals
with the individual rather than with his an
cestors. Democracy ignores differences in
wealth. Neither riches nor poverty can be IN
volzed in behalf of or against any citizen. De-
mocracy knows no creed, recognizing the
right of each individual to worship God ac-
cording to the dictates of his own conscience.
IL welcomes all to a common brotherhood and
guarantees equal treatment TO all, no matter
in what church or through what forms they
commune with their Creator.
Dual Government.
Honest differences Of opinion have ever ex-
isted and ever will exist to the most ef-
fective means Of securing domestic tranquil
lity. but no citizen fails TO recognize at all
times and under all circumstances the abso-
lutte necessity for the prompt and vigorous
enforcement of law and the preservation Of
the public peace. In government like ours
law is but the capitalization of the viii Of
the people. Without it the citizen is neither
secure in the enjoyment Of life and liberty
nor protected in the pursuit Of happiness.
without obedience to law government is im-
possible. The Democratic party IL pledged TO
defend She constitution and enforce the laws
Of the United States, and it Is also pledged TO
respect and preserve the dual scheme Of gov
ernment instituted by the founders Of the ro-
public. The name United States was happily
chosen. It combines the idea Of national
strength with the idea Of local self government
and suggests can indissoluble union of indie
atructihle states" Our Revolutionary fathers,
fearing the tendencies toward Capitalization,
as well as the dangers Of disintegration,
guarded against both, and national safety, as
well as domestic security, Is TO be found IN
the careful observance Of the limitations
which they impose. lt viii be noticed that
while the United States guarantees 10 every
state a republican form OF government and
Is empowered TO protect each state against
invasion, it Is not authorized to interfere IN
the domestic affairs Of any state except upon
application Of the legislature Of the state or
upon the application Of the executive whom
the legislature cannot convene.
This provision rests upon the sound theory
that the people of the state, acting through
their legally chosen Representatives are, be-
cause Of their more intimate acquaintance
with local conditions, better qualified than
the president to judge Of the necessity for
federal assistance. Those who framed our
constitution wisely determined TO make as
broad an application Of the principles Of local
self government as circumstances would per
nit and we cannot dispute the CORRECTNESS
Of the position taken by them without express
ing distrust Of the people themselves
Economy.
Since governments exist for the protection
Of the rights of the people and not for their
spoliation, no expenditure Of public money car
be justified unless that expenditure is neces
sary for the honest economical and efficient
administration Of the government. In dc
termining what appropriations are necessar,
the interest Of those who pay the taxes shoul'
be consulted rather than the wishes Of thos
who receive or disburse public moneys.
Bonds.
An increase in the bonded debt of the Unit
cd States at this time Is entirely without ea
cuse. The issue Of interest bearing bond
within the last few years has been defended O.
the ground that they We're necessary TO secur
gold with which to redeem United States note
and treasury notes, but this necessity ha
been imaginary rather than real. Instead O
exercising the legal right vested in the Unite
States to redeem its coin in either gold or 81
yer, the executive branch Of tho governmen
has followed a precedent established by
former administration and surrendered tn
option 70 the holder Of the obligations. Thi
administrative policy leaves the governmen
at tho mercy Of those who find pecuniar
profit in bond issues The fact that the dea
ers in money and securities have been able {
deplete or protect the treasury according
the changing whims shows how dangerous
is 20 permit them TO exercise "A controlling il
huence upon the treasury department. tn
governments of the United States when admin
istered in the interests of all the people is abl
to establish and enforce its financial policy nc
only without the aid Of syndicates, but in spit
OF any opposition which syndicates may pr
fsnt. To assert that the government is depen,
ent upon the good win or assistance of an
portion Of the people other than consttl
tional majority is to assert that we have
government in form, but without vital force
National Bank Currency.
The position taken by the platform again
the issue Of paper money by national banks
supported by the highest Democratic author
ty, Wen as demanded by the interests
the people. The present attempt Of the nj
tional banks 20 force the retirement of Unite
States notes and treasury notes, in order to 9
cure basis for larger issue of their oW
notes, illustrates the danger which aris
from permitting them to issue their paper
a circulating medium. The national ban
note, being redeemable i'm lawful money, h'
never been better than the United States no
which stands behind 1t, and yet the banks pc
sistently demand that these United Stat
notes, which draw no interest, shall gi'
place to interest bearing bonds, In order th