The San Francisco call., 1896-09-10
BRYAN IGNORES
THE TARIFF ISSUE
Briefly Mentioned in the
Nominees Letter of
Acceptance.
EVADES THE QUESTION.
Declares the One Important
Problem Is That of
Finance.
ALL OTHERS THRUST ASIDE.
Postponing Action Upon Taxation,
He Declares, Involves No
Sacrifice.
EvADEs THE QUESTION.
ALL OTHERS THRUST ASIDE

LINCOLN, NEBR., Sept. 9.-Mr. Bryan
to-day made public his letter accepting
the Democratic nomination. Its full text
follows:
Hon. Stephen N. White and others, Members Of.
the Notification Committee of the Democratic
National ConventioR-GENTLEMEN: l accept the
nomination rendered by you on behalf of the
Democratic party, and in so doing desire to
assure you that 1 fully appreciate the high
honor which such a nomination confers, and
the grave responsibilities which accompany an
election to the Presidency OF the United States.
So deeply am impressed with the magnitude
OF the power vested by the constitution in the
Chief Executive of the Nation, and with the
enormous influence which he can WELD for
the benefit or injury of the people, that wish
to enter the Office, if elected, free from every
personal desire except the desire to prove
worthy of the confidence OF my country.
Human judgment is fallible enough when un-
biased by selfish considerations, and in order
that may not be tempted to use the patronage
of the Office to advance any personal ambition,
hereby announce, with all the emphasis
which words can express, my fixed determine
tion not under any circumstances to be
candidate for reelection in case this cam paign
suits in my election.
have carefully considered the platform
ADOPTED by the Democratic Nationa! Conven-
tion and unqualifedly indorse each plank
thereof. Our institutions rest upon the propo-
sition that all men, being created equal, are
entitled to equal consideration at the hands of
the Government. Because all men are created
equal it follows that no citizen has a natural
right to injure any other citizen. The main
purpose OF government being to protect all
citizens in the enjoyment of life, liberty and
ha
lead the Government first to avoid acts of
affirmative injustice and, second, to restrain
each citizen from trespassing upon the rights
OF any other citizen.
A democratic form of government is con-
duelve 10 the 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 ignores differences in
wealth; neither II ches nor poverty can be in
voked in behalf OF or against any citizen.
Democracy knows no creed, recognizing the
right OF each individual 10 worship God
according TO the dictates of his own conscience;
il welcomes all 10 a common brotherhood and
guarantees equal treatms 20 all, no matter in
what church or through ,.4at forms they COM
mune with their Creator
Having discussed portions of the platform at
the time OF its adoption, and again when your
letter OF notification was formally delivered,
II will not be neces sary at this time to touch
upon al the subjects embraced i'll the party's
declaration.
Honest differences of opinions have ever
existed and will ever exist as 10 the most
efeetive means of securing domestic tranquil
1ty, but no citizen fails TO recognize at all times
and under all circumstances the absolute
necessity for the prompt and vigorous enforce
ment OF law and the preservation of the public
peace. In a Government like ours law is but
the specialization OF the will 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 possible.
The Democratic party is pledged to defend
the constitution aud enforce the laws of the
United States, and it is also pledged to respect
and preserve the dual scheme of government
1ns tituted by the founders of the Republic.
The name United States was happily chosen.
1t combines the idea of Nat onal strength with
the idea OF local self-government, and suggests
"An indfsSoluble union of indestructible
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 10 be found in the careful
observance of the limitations which they i'm
posed. 1t will be noticed that while the United
States guarantees to every State republican
form OF government, and is empowered to pro-
tect 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 applica-
ton OF the executive when the Legislature
cannot be convened.
This provision rests upon the sound theory
that the people of the State, acting through
their legally chosen represe natives, 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
seIfgoYernment 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
can be justified unless that expenditure is
necessary for the honest, economical and
efficient administration of the Government
necessary, the interest of those who paw the
taxes should be consulted rather than the
wishes OF those who receive or disburse public
moneys.
Bond Issues.
An increase in the bonded debt of the United
States at this time is entirely without excuse.
The issues OF interest-bearing bonds within
the last lew years have been defended on the
! ground that they were necessary to secure
| gold with which to redeem United States notes
and treasury notes, but this necessity has been
imaginary rather than real. Instead of exer-
cising the legal right vested in the United
States to redeem its coin in either gold or sill
yer the executive branch of the Government
! has followed precedent established by q
| former administration and surrendered the
| option to the holders of the obligations This
administrative policy leaves the Government
| at the mercy of those who find q pecuniary
| profit in bond issues. The fact that the deal
! ers in money and securities have been able to
! deplete or protect the treasury, according to
! their changing whims, shows how dangerous
| 1t is to permit them to exercise controlling