The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-08-12

We believe it to be- our duty to burst
the bands and tear loose the letters that
bind us worse than tyrant's chains; to
resist with all our might policy that
has we'll nigh belted the globe In mourn
ing, and is fast putting the world in
tears. We want to drive away the clouds
that darken the toiler's home, and put
sunshine and brightness there, as we'll as
In the abode of the rich, and let him feel
that what he has is his
Is Politics, lofty. noble, sciencestouch-
ing the people and involving most mo-
mentous issues has been left too long to
the manipulations of few. The great
object lesson we have had of the boosted
use of millions as campaign funds may
proye a blessing in d'sguise and may we
not hope that this perversion of the pee
pies will by such means may arouse
every man to feel as never before that the
privilege of the ballot is sacred trust to
be used as a freeman dares and not as
money wills. Thank God We are begin
ming to see evidences that the people are
becoming aroused to their danger, that
they are determining to take the reins in
their own hands and look after their own
affairs. They are beginning to speak for
themselves, and woe to the party that
dares to trifle with heir interests.
Let us hope that WE can educate our
people to high and proper appreciation
of the privilege of American citizenship,
and show to themthat the ballot can be
used as weapon of protection and de-
fence, or turned against them as an en-
CINE of destruction. This in brief is
true Democracy. This was the object
and aim of the immortal fonnder of our
party when he breathed into it the spirit
of liberty. These are the principles, as
understand them, commended for by the
great modern apostle of human rights,
William Jennings Bryan.
But am not going to discuss or elab-
crate any subject that properly belongs
to the hastings. We may not all be
agreed on national questions, but there
are subjects about which the re should be
no di, ision, and on which we can all
unite. There are grave and responsible
duties resting upon us in the proper man
agemeut of our state government. We
must unite as one man in striving to adj
just matters to suit the times and the
changed condition of affairs. Soon we
will have to meet an increase Of nearly
two hundred thousand dollars per an
! mum in interest on our public debt. Our
criminal expenses, already upbearable,
are increasing, and our public institu-
lions are crying for greater facilities to
care for inmates. Our dear old comrades
who fought and bled by our sides now
drag along with slow and weary step to
the final "drum beat" whose wants have
been increased by hard times, are calling
for more aud better attenJ ion. And as
long as we have crust of bread who
would hesitate to divide with those heroic
spirits who have braved and dared and
lost all save honor in struggle for our
land and homes? God bless these old
comrades,we will never forget them.
While all these things must and will
receive our attention yet we must hear in
mind that the burdens of our people are
great and oppressive. Retrenchment nd
entrus ted with the management of public
affairs. We must use plain, practical, ,
common sense methods.
Virginia not only for her own sake, but
as an example to other States, should
teach the great lesson that the taxing
| power must be the servant and not the
| master of the people. Let us all 90 for
ward with united hearts and minds to
| fight the battle for our grand old mother
State. Let us try to build her up and re-
habilitate her with her ancient glory and
make her again, as of old, the bright and
shining star in the galaxy of States. It
is to this work that we are sacrehly
pledged and in which we must all join,
anu ICJolCc Oud1 81 illitDy VI Ill phTJlCS
have given me their voluntary offer of
support. 1t s for this purpose that ac-
cept the nomination you have SO graci-
ously rendered me. 1T is around this
standard that we call all to rally and on
the broad principles of this platform we
invite all to stand, and with fervent
prayer to God to bless the right we can
confidently anticipate a glorious victory.
But, my friends, the battle will not be