Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1900-10-25
MR.. BRYAN ACCEPTS.
His Letter in Answer to the Nomination
of the Silver Lincoln Republicans
Given to the Public.

lowing letter accepting the nominal
ton of the silver Lincoln republicans
was mailed yesterday by Mr.. Bryan:
Hon. Samuel W. Hopkins, chairman. and
others, members of the notification
committee, of the silver Lincoln repub-
Hcan party:
Gentlemen: I am in receipt of your
letter formally notifying me of my nomi-
nation for the presidency by the silver
Lincoln republican convention, held at
Kansas City, July 4 last. In accepting
the nomination I beg to express my
hearty appreciation of the support given
our ticket by the members of your party
in the campaign of 1896, and of the fdel-
ity shown by them during the four years
which have since elapsed. The evidence
Of confidence and good will manifested
anew at the last national convention
places me under renewed obligations
There is a consistency about the human
mind which leads an individual to apply
old principles to new conditions, and
was therefore not surprised to find that
those who left the republican party in
1896 on the money question are now OPP
posed to it the trust question, which
has increased in Importance since 1896,
and upon militariSm and Imperialism,
the new questions which the republican
party has forced upon the public within
the last two years. Your platform, OF
which you enclose copy, is in its declar-
ations similar to the democratic plat
form, adopted at Kansas City, that it is
not necessary for me to take up the
planks in detail. I enclose the follow
ing documents and make them part
OF this letter.
First-NIy speech at Indianapolis, in
reply to the democratic notification COM
mittee, dealing with Imperialism, mill
tarism, and the resolution expressing
sympathy for the Beers.
Second-My letter formally accepting
the democratic nomination, covering
other planks of the platform.
Third-Ny speech accepting the popu-
list nomination, dealing with these is
sues upon which the democrats and pop
ulists occupy common ground.
Fourth-My speech delivered at st.
Louis the 18th of September on the trust
question.
published in the press of the country,
and the members of your party are fully
Informed in regard to my views the
questions covered
In 1896, the money question was the
question of paramount Importance, but
the republican party, by disregard of the
principles of our republic and by its
advocacy Of policies repugnant to the
doctrine of self-government, has left US
no choice but to summon all lovers of
the declaration of Independence to the
defense of that sacred document and the
constitution framed in accordance with it.
In your letter you quote several ap-
propriate extracts from LincoIn'S
speeches. I find in a speech by Lincoln
in 1858 defense of the declaration of in
dependence, accompanied by a fervent
and patriotic appeal to his countrymen
not to abandon the principles therein
enunciated 1t is so applicable to the
present time and so in harmony with
the references you have made to Lin
coins words that I quote the following
extract:
Now, my countrymen, if you have
been taught doctrines conflicting with the
great landmarks Of the declaration of
independence: If you have listened to
suggestions which would take away from
its grandeur and mutilate the fair SYM
metry of its proportions; if you have
been inclined to believe that all men are |
not created equal in those inalienable |
rights enumerated by our chart of lib
Return to the fountain whose waters |
spring close by the blood of the revoIu- |
ton. Think nothing of me; take no |
thought for the political fate of any |
man whomsoever, but come back to the |
truths that are in the declaration of in |
dependence. You may do anything with |
me you choose, if you will but heed these |
sacred principles. You may not only de- |
feat me for the senate, but you may |
take and put me to death While pre- |
tending no indifference to earthly honors,
I do claim to be actuated in this contest |
by something higher than an anxiety for
office. I charge you to drop every paltry
and insignificant thought for any mans
success. 1t is nothing; I am nothing;
Judge Douglas is nothing. But don't |
destroy that immortal emblem of hui
declaration of American in
How harsh the contrast between the
lofty sentiments expressed by Lincoln
and the sordid, mercenary appeal now
made to the people of the republican par
ty. How great the chasm between the
which would sacrifice life |
itself in defense of that immortal doctl-
ment which has been the model of re-
publics ever since it was promulgated, |
and the cOmmercfa1ism which would sac
ri1ce every noble and holy purpose in
pursuit of new markets and would in
dOrse the doctrine that trade can be pur-
chased with human blood-a doctrine adj
vanced by those who want to give syn
dicates a chance to exploit distant colo
MES
In response to the hope which you ex-
press, permit me to assure you that
any political obligations are due entire
" to the plain people, who ask no special
privileges at the hands of the govern
nent but demand only equality of rights
and an opportunity to enjoy life liberty
and the pursuit of happiness under the
lag of a republic. These people, the ma
lions wealth producers in time of peace
md the nations warriors in time of war |
nave already done for me more than I |
IAN ever repay. Whether am elected or
lot, it shall be my ambition to protect
heir rights and advance their interests |
~ every means within my power. Very
ruly yours, W. J. BRYAN