Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-09-17
BRYAN ACCEPTS.
The Democratic Candidate Trans
naits His Formal Letter.
Free Silver. Tariff, Income Tax and Other
Planks of the Chicago Platform Treat
ed at Length-Every Plank I'M
reservedly Endorsed.

y
ing the democratic nomination. Itsfull
text is as follows:
Hon. Stephen M. White and Other Members of
the Notification Committee of the Demo-
cratic Convention:
Gentlemen: I accept the nomination ten
dered by you on behalf of the democratic party
and in so doing desire to assure you that
nation confers and the grave responsibilities
which accompany an election to the presidency
of the United States So deeply am I i'm
pressed with the power vested by the constitu-
ton 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 any personal desire except the desire to
Human Judgment is falible enough when
biased by selfish considerations and in order
that may not be tempted to use the patron
age of an Office to advance any personal ambi-
ton. hereby announce with all the emphasis
which words can express. my fixed determine
tiCn not, under any circumstances. to be can
didate for reelection in case this campaign
results in my election. 1 have carefully con-
sidered the platform adopted by the demo-
cratic national convention and unQua1ifedly
indorSe every plank thereon.
Our institutions rest upon the proposition
that all men, being created equal, are entitled
to equal consideration at the hands OF the gov
eminent because that all created
equal no citizen has a natural right TO injure
any other citizen. The main object OF govern
ment being to protect all citizens in the enjoy
ment of life, liberty and the pursuit OF happi-
ness this purpose must lead the government.
first to avoid acts of affirmative injustice. and
second to restrain each citizen from tres pass
ing upon the rights of any other citizen.
A democratic form of government is condu
Give to the highest civilization because it opens
to each individual the greatest opportunities
for development and stimulates to the highest
endeavor by inSuring to each the full enjoy
n
contribution as is necessary to support which
protects him. Democracy is Indifferent to ped
igree-it deals with the individual rather than
with his ancestors. Democracy ignores differ
ences in wealth. neither riches poverty
can be invoked in behalf against any citi-
zen. Democracy knows no creed, recognizing
the right of each individual to worship God ac-
cording to the dictates of his own conscience
1t welcomes all to a common brotherhood and
guarantees equal treatment to ALL no matter
in what church through what forms they
commune with their Creator.
Having discussed portions of the platform at
the time of it's adoption and again when your
letter of notification was formally delivered, it
will not be necessary at this time to touch up
all the subjects embraced in the party's
declarations. Honest differences of opinion
have ever existed and ever will exist as to the
most effective means of securing domestic
tranquility. but no citizen fails to recognize
at all times and under all circumstances the
absolute necessity for the prompt and vigor-
GUS enforcement of the law and the preserva-
ton of public peace. In government like
ours law is but the crystallization 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 i'm
possible.
The democratic party is pledged to defend
the constitution and enforce the laws of the
United States, and it is also pledged to perfect
and defend the dual scheme of government in
stituted by the founders of the republic The
name United States was happily chosen. 1t
combines the idea of national strength with
the idea OF local government, and suggests an
''indissoluble union of distinct states" Our
wise forefathers, fearing the tendency toward
Capitalization well as the dangers OF disin-
tegration, guarded against both, and national
safety. as we'll as domestic security, is to be
found in the careful observance OF the limita-
ton which they impose. It has been
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 au-
thorized to interfere in the domestic affairs
of the legislature of the state, or upon
the application 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 Representatives, are, be-
cause of their more intimate acquaintance
with the local conditions, better qualified than
the president to judge of the necessity for
ISQSrdl dSSlSIdIcc IHOSo VINO iHo
constitution wisely determined to make as
broad 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 expressing a
distrust of the people themselves
Economy.
Since governments exist for the protection
OF the rights of the people and not for their
spoilation, expenditure of public money can
be justified unless that expenditure is neces-
sary for the honest, economical AID efficient
administration of the government In deter
mining what appropriations are necessary, the
interests of those who pay the taxes should be
consulted rather than the wishes of those who
receive or disburse public moneys
Bonds.
An increase in the bonded debt OF the United
States at this time is entirely without excuse
The issue of interest-bearing bonds within
the last few years was defended that they
were necessary with which to obtain gold with
which to redeem bonds aud United states
notes and treasury notes; but this necessity
has been imaginary rather than real Instead
of exercising the legal right vested in the
United States to redeem its coin in either gold
or silver, the executive branch OF the govern
ment has followed a precedent established by
a former administration and surrendered
the option to the holder OF the obi
cations. This administration policy leaves
the government at the mercy OF those who
find pecuniary profit in bond issues The
fact that the dealers in money and securities
ury according to their changing whims. shows
how dangerous it is to permit them to exer-
else controlling influence over the treasury
6o1artment The government of the United