The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-10-14
SewalI's Letter Of Accept
anC6.

no 0CdOQS 0NOdAC1y Od VIC
Democratic Platform and
is a Friend of the
People.
The following is the letter Of accept
ance of Hon. Arthur Sewell, Demo.
cratic nominee for Vice President OF
.he United States:
BATH, Me-. Oct. 6. 1896
Hon. Stephen b White, chairman,
and members of notification committee.
Gentlemen: I have the honor TO ac
cept in writing, as have already verb.
ally done, the nomination rendered BY
you on behalf of the Democratic party
as its candidate for Vice-President of
the Uoited States And iu doing so
I am glad first, to express my satisfac-
tion that the platform Of our party
which has commanded my lifelong al
legiauee. is honestly and fully declar-
atory of all its principles and especially
Of the absorbing financial issue upon
which, as 5ou say, l took my stand
.swhen the hours of triumph seemed re-
mote and when arrogant money
changers throughout the world bcasted
that the conquest Of the American
masses was complete
These principles have been of late in
allegiance only because those whom We
trusted to maintain them have failed to
do so-these principles never can die.
We have rescued our party from those
who uuder under the influence of the
money power have controlled and de-
based it. Our mission is to now res
cue from THE same power and lis for
eign alliances, our own beloved country
This is the first and highest duty i'm
posed by our parsy's platform; upon
the performance of this duty all other
reforms must wait. The test of party
principles is sbegovernmentthey assure;
the proof of good governments is con-
tented aud happy people, and the
supreme test of both of the ability to
guide the country through a crisis as
we'll as to administer government 10
ordinary times.
Oar people now face crisis, crisis
more serious than any siace the war
To what party shall they turn in their
dire emergency. 1t -is true that the
present crisis may not suffer should the
crisis threatened by the gold standard
come on in ali its fury. Hsman self
ishness makes those deaf to all appeals,
bus to these, fortunately, the Demo.
cratic party has never ueeded to appeal
to wio its battles, nor does it now. save
as there are some among them who
can rise superior to self. iu the sacrifice
which such crisis demands CT every
patriot. We are told that the country
has prospered under the present uone.
tary standard; iha. its wealth has
enormously increased. Granted. Bu;
in whose hands? 10 the hands of the
toilers, the producers, the farmers, the
miners, the fabricators 10 the factories,
the creators Of the nations wealth 10
peace, it's defenders in war. Have
they prosperity which was theirs SO
late as even two years ago deny it.
They deny it. Nooe affiru it save
those whose interest it is to do so,
vhess prefts would diminish as pros
perity returns ID those oQ whose dis
tres. tbey !tsise.
ALI is iassesccaa not right between CAPT
tai and labor The best money 10 the
world is noue too good for those who
have got it. but how is It With the 90
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 owo
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 laod. How. also, cau you To-
crease labors purchasing power but by
increasing the price of labor's products?
Is it a fair measure Of value tha. 10 our
great producing sections. ten bushels
potatoes must be paid Cor dollar, ten
bushels of oats for dollar, six bushels
of corn for dollar, three bushels Of
wheat apd all other products of the soil
aud lnines and the labor of all wage
carriers at the same ratio2 Does any
fair.mioded mao say this is honest mou-
ey 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
siogle gold standard has brought Us.
Under it the appreciation of the ''best
money 10 tte world has increased the
wealth Of the rich, and for the same
~o,coo hoo ;coroocod tho n O ht rs m 20