The San Francisco call., 1896-10-07
SEWALL ACCEPTS
THE NOM|NAT ION
Not at All Backward in
Being Bryan's Run
ming Mate.
Expresses Satisfaction With the
Chicago Platform Of the
Party.
FINANCES HIS MAIN THEME.
Says the People Now Face a Crisis
More Serious Than Any Since
the War.

BATH, Me-, Oct 6.-The following is
the letter of acceptance OF Hon. Arthur
SewalI, Democratic nominee for Vice.
President OF the United States:
BATH Me-, Oct. 6, 1896.
Hon. Stephen N. White, Chairman and HEM
bers of The Notification Committee: 1 have the
honor TO accept in writing, as have already
verbally done, the nomination rendered by
you on behalf of the Democratic party as its
candidate for Vice-President of the United
States. And in doing so l am glad, first, to
express my satisfaction that the platform OF
our party, which has commanded my lifelong
allegiance. is honestly and fully declaratory of
all its privileges and especially OF the absorb
ing financial issue upon which. as you say,
took my stand: ".When the hours OF triumph
seemed remote and when arrogant money
changers throughout the world boasted that
the conquest of the American masses was
complete"
These principles have been of late in abey-
ance only because those whom We trusted TO
maintain them have failed to do so. These
principles can never die. We have rescued
our party from those who, under the influence
of the money power, have controlled and de-
based it. Our mission is TO how rescue. from
this same power and its foreign alliances our
beloved country. This is the first and highest
duty imposed by. our partys platform; upon
the performance of this duty all other reforms
must wait. The test OF party principles is the
government that desire; the proof OF good
government is a contented and happy people,
and the supreme test of both is the ability to
guide the country through a crisis as we'll as
to administer the Government in ordinary
times.
Our people now face crisis: crisis moro
81, &tnx IT, ho<,1
shall they turn in their dire emergency? 1t is
true that the present crisis may not involve all
equally; that there are those who do not suffer
now, and who may not suffer should the crisis
threatened by the gold standard come on in
all its fury. Human selfshness makes those
deaf to all appeals, but to these, fortunately,
the Democratic party has never needed to ap-
peal to win its battles; nor does it now, save
es there are some among them who can rise
superior to self in the sacrifice which such
crisis demands of every patriot. We are told
that the country has prospered under the
present monetary standard; that its wealth
mas enormously Increased. Granted. But in
whose hands? In the hands of the toilers, the
farmers, the miners, the fabricators in the
factories, the creators of the Nations wealth in
peace; its defenders in war?
Have they prosperity. which was theirs so
late as even two years ago? deny it. deny
It. None affirm it save those whose interests
it is TO do so, whose profits would diminish as
prosperity returns TO those on whose distress
they thrive.
All is indeed right between capital and capi-
tai. TIE best money in the world is none too
good forthose VINO nave got 1t, but how is it
with the 30 per cent of our people who have
"got it to get?' How is it with those who
must buy this ''best money in the world" with
the products of their own labor? These are
the people for whom the Democratic party
would legislate. What is the best money for
these is the question for all to ask who really
love this land. How also can you increase
labor's purchasing power but Dy increasing
the price of labor's products?
Is it fair measure of value that IN our great
producing sections ten bushels OF potatoes
must be paid for dollar, ten bushels of oats
for dollar, six bushels of corn for a dollar,
three bushels OF wheat and all other products
OF the soil and mines and the labor of ell
wage-earners ut the same ratio :? Does any
fair minded man say this is honest money
that forces such an exchange, and If it is not
fair exchange, is it honest, is it less than
robbery This is the condition to which the
single gold standard has brought u.s. Under it
the appreciation of the "best money in the
world has increased the wealth of the rich
debt of tho creditor. So under the present
standard II must continue TO be. With the OBJ
iect lessons about US, little need have we for
history and statistics aud the studies of
scholars Little satisfaction is it to us that
they have warned US long since of the deadly
evil OF the gold standard. 1t has brought us
at last to the parting OF the ways.
Whittier shall the people go? In the way
that has led to their enslavement or in that
which offers them their only chance to regain
individual liberty, lasting prosperity and hap
creating class distinctions. Alas for the Re-
publicansl they are already here created by
the Republican policy OF the last thirty years;
created by the very system we would now
overthrow and destroy. Nor do we raise
sectional issue. The nomination you tender
repeis the charge. None know better than
that this nomination is meant as no personal
tribute, but as an assurance that our party is
non-sectional party. Not by our policy, but
only by the continuance of the gold standard,
can sectionalism be revived. Neither shall
our opponents be permitted to terrify the
people by predictions that temporary dlsturb-
ance or panic will come from the policy we
propose. The American people win be loyal
TO the Nations money, viii stand behind ana
maintain IT at whatever value they may them
selves lay upon it,
Once before have our people been called
upon to face great crisis What then said
Mr.. Lincoln, the chosen leader of the people
of this land2 Was he awed by threats or
weakened by pleadings of false friends who
pleaded for compromise with wrong3 His
this, then let US stand by our duty fearlessly
and effectively. Let US be diverted by none of
these sophistical contrivances wherewith we
are so industriously Piled and belabored, con-
ground between the right and the wrong, re-
versing the divine rule and calling not the
slHntrs puL the righteous TO repentance, such
as invoeations to Washington, fmploring men
to say what Washington said and undo what
Washington did"
Neither let us be slandered from our duty by
false accusations ageinst US. Let MS have faith
that right makes might and in that faith to
the end dare to do our duty as We understand
1t. We know what the nature of the struggle
is in which we are engaged; we are anxious
only that the people of the land shall under
stand IL and then our battle Is won Behind
the strong intrenchment of the gold standard
are gathered all the hosts of the favored classes
II las fostered, the only dangerous classes OF
the land. Avarice and unholy greed are there
every trust and combination is there; every
monopoly is there, led by the greatest monop-
oily OF all, the monopoly of gold.
With US are the unselfish men, who not suf-
fering themselves, cannot rest content with
conditions so full of suffering tor others, and
that vaster number of our people who have
been sacrificed to the smaller selfish class who
now resist their attempts to regain their an
cient rights and liberty. These are the pa
triots of 1896, the foes OF a "dishonest dollar"
which enriches 10 per cent of our people TO
rob the rest; the defenders of the homes OF the
land, OF public morals and public faith, both
OF which alike forbid the payment of Govern
ment obligations in a coin costller to those
who have TO pay than that the contract calls
for; the defenders of the honor of the Nation,
whose most sacred charge is to care for the
welfare of all its citizens.
The free and unlimited coinage of silver is
the sole remedy with which to check the