Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1896-08-20

president and vice-president on the
democratic ticket was called to order
wednesday precisely at Sis p. m,
by Chairman Jones OF the national
Z committee. Hon. Elliott Danforth OF
New York was made chairman. Mr..
Danforth said:
You did not expect from me
speech. and In that you will not be
disappointed. have pleasure in pre-
senting to you as chairman of the noti-
ncation committee the distinguished
governor OF Missouri. the Hon. William
J. Stone" Gov. Stone stepped to the
front Of the platform, and when the
cutburst OF applause had subsidized
made the speech Of notification.
At theconclusion of Gov. Stones re-
marks he handed to Mr.. Bryan an
engrossed copy of the resolution OF
notification adopted by the committee.
When Mr.. Bryan took the parchment
there Vas a wild outburst of applause,
anc while 1t was still filling the hall,
Chairman Danforth said: "Fellow-citi
ziAs, ne next speaker needs no intro
duc.ion at my hands, for his name is
a household word throughout the land.
l have the pleasure in presenting to
you the democratic nominee for presi-
cent of the United States. the Hon
William j. Bryan"
The applause continued for some
minutes and was renewed again and
again, Mr.. Bryan standing and wait
ing for an opportunity to begin his
speech.
foremost among the prominent men
on the platform, seated at the left,
was Arthur Sewall, the Bath ship
builder and candidate for the vice
presidency, a vigorous-looking man
whose frame told of the New England
air. There was Gov. Stone of Missouri,
a thin-faced man, ministerial in his
bearing, and the presiding officer, FL
liot Danforth, eX-treasurer of the state
of New York. Among the prominent
democrats arrayed back of the plat
/ form were: Senators Blanchard OF
. Louisiana German of Maryland, Roach
Of North Dakota, Tillman OF South
Carolina; Congressman Richardson and
McMillin Of Tennessee, Livingston OF
Georgia, Rusk of Maryland; Gov. Hogg
of Texas, and many others who had
borne parts in the convention which
nominated Mr.. Bryan.
Finally Mr.. Bryan managed to still
the applause, and began his speech
amidst comparative silence His speech
in part was as follows:
Those who stand upon the Chicago
platform are prepared to make knowI
and to defend every motion which in
fuences them, every purpose which an
imates them and every hope which in
spires them. Andrew Jackson ha
stated with admirable clearness boil
the duty and the sphere Of government
He said Distinctions in society will
always exist under every just govern
ment Equality of talents, of educa
ton or of wealth cannot be produces
by human institutions. In the full
enjoyment Of the gifts of heaven an
the fruits of superior industry, econo
my and virtue every man is equally en-
titled to protection by law. We yiel
to none in our devotion to the doctrin
Just enunciated.
Our campaign has not for its objeS
the reconstruction of society. We car
not insure to the vicious the fruits {
virtuous life; we would not invad
the home OF the provident in order
supply the wants OF the spendthrif
. we do not propose to transfer the II
wards OF industry to the lap of indie
lence Property is and will remain tn
stimulus to endeavor and the compcr
sation for toll. We believe as asserte
in the declaration Of independence
that all men are created equal; b,
that does not mean that all men al
J or can be equal in possessions, in abb
ity or in merit. 1t simply means thi
all shall stand equal before the la,
and that government officials shall no
in making, constituting or enforcing II
law, discriminate between citizens.
I'VE are not surprised to find a
rayed against us those who are Il
benefciaries of government favoritis
they have read our platform. N
are we surprised to learn that we mu
in this campaign face the hostility
those who find a pecuniary advantat
in advocating the doctrine OF noninte
ference Wnen great dSBTeBdtlOnS
wealth are trespassing upon the RICH
OF individuals. We welcome such o
position-it is the highest indorseme
"A which could be bestowed upon 4
We are content to have the cooper
ton OF those who desire to have 4
government administered without fe
or favor"
He defended the income tax plal
of the Chicago platform in eloque
words. concluding: THE last incor
tax law. with its exemption provisic
when considered in connection wi
other methods of taxation in force, W
not unjust to the possessors of lar
incomes, because they were not col
PEELED TO pay total federal tax gres
or than their share. The income I
ia not new, nor is II based upon hi
tility to the rich"
He then turned to the paramount
sue OF the campaign, the money que
tion, saying: