Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-08-14
BRYAN'S PLAIN TALK
Discusses Paramount Questions of
the Democratic Platform.
EVILS OF REPUBLICAN POLICIES.
Rights of the People in United States
and Acquired Territories-Dan-
gers of Imperialism and Mill
tarism-The True Republic.

In response to the tender of the nom.
ination for the presidency by the mott
fication committee of the democracy, al
indianapolis, Wednesday, August s
William j. Bryan said:
Mr.. Chairman and Members of the Mott
fication COMMITTEES: l shall, at an early
day. and in more formal manner. accept
the nomination which you tender, and
shall at that time discuss the various ques-
tons covered by the democratic platform
It. may not be out of place, howeNsaTtt
submit "a few observations atsthis time
upon the general character of the contest
before US, and upon the question which
is declared to be of paramount Importance
In this campaign
When l say that the contest of 1900 Is a
contest between democracy on the one hand
and plutocracy on the other, do not mean
to say that all our opponents have DELHI
erately chosen to give to organized wealth
predominating influence in the affairs of
the government, but / do assert that on
the important issues of the day the repub-
lican party is dominated by those influences
which constantly tend to elevate pecuntary
considerations and ignore human rights.
In 1855 Lincoln said that the republican
party believed in the man and the dollar,
but that in case of conflict 1t believed in
the man before the dollar. This is the
proper relation which should exist between
the two. Man. the handiwork of God.
comes first; money. the handiwork of man.
Is OF inferior Importance. Man is the mas
ter, money the servant: but upon all i'm
portant questions to-day, republican legis-
lation tends to make money the master
and man the servant.
The maxim of Jefferson equal rights to
all and special privileges to none" and the
doctrine of Lincoln that this should be a
government ''of the people by the people
fIan Nl6 ny hntr trr nfrpr Hl6
and the instrunentalities of government
are being used to advance the interests OF
those who are In position to secure favors
from the government
The Desire of Democracy.
The democratic party is not making war
upon the honest acquisition of wealth; It
has no desire to discourage industry. econ
omy and thrift On the contrary. it gives
to every citizen the greatest possible slim
illus to honest toll. when it promises him
protection in the enjoyment of the pro-
ceeds of his labor. Property rights are
most secure when human rights are re-
spected. Democracy strives for a ciyiliza-
ton in which every member of society
will share according to his merits.
No one has right to expect from So
ciety more than a fair compensation for
the service which he renders to society.
If ne secures more. 1t is at the expense
OF some one else. 1t is no injustice to him
to prevent his doing injustice to another.
TO him who would. either through class
legislation or in the absence of necessary
legislation. trespass upon the rights of an
other. the democratic party says: Thou
shalt not"
Republican Excuses.
Against us are arrayed comparatively
email. but politically and financially pow
erful, number who really profit by repub-
lican policies; but with them are associated
large number who. because Of their at
tachment to their party name, are giving
their support to doctrines antagonistic to
the former teachings of their own party.
Republicans who used to advocate bimet-
alism. now try to convince themselves
that the gold standard is good republicans
who were formerly attached to the green
back are now seeking an excuse for CIV
ing national banks control of the nations
paper money: republicans who used to
boast that the republican party was pay
Ing off the national debt, are now looking
Tor reasons to support perpetual and in
creasing debt; republicans who formerly
abhorred trust now beguile themselves
with the delusion that there are good trusts
and bad trusts, while. in their minds, the
line between the two is becoming more
and more obscure; republicans who, in
times past. congratulated the country upon
the small expense of our standing army
are now making light of the objections
winch are urged against a large increase
IN the permanent military establishment;
republicans who gloried in our independ-
ence when the nation was less powerful,
now look with favor upon a foreign al
lance; republicans who three years age
condemned "forcible annexation" as i'm.
moral and even criminal, are now sure
tnaI III is both immoral and criminal IL
oppose forcible annexation. That partisan
ship has already blinded many to present
dangers is certain: how large a portion
OF the republican party can be drawn ovel
70 the new policies remains to be seen.
Tor time republican leaders were in
chned to deny to opponents the right II
criticise the Philippine policy of the ad
mlnistration. but upon investigation they
FOUND that both Lincoln and Clay assert.
ed and exercised the right to criticise 9
president during the progress of the Mex
Jean war.
Instead of meeting the issue boldly and
submitting clear and positive plan for
dealing with the Philippine question, the
republican convention adopted platform
fhe larger part of which was devoted to
Boosting and INSTRUMENTATION.
In attempting to press economic Ques-
tons upon the country to the exclusion
of those which involve the very structure
q of our government, the republican lead
ers give new evidence of their abandon.
ment of the earlier ideals of the party ant
of their complete subserviency to pecun
fairy considerations.
No Evasion.
But they shall not be permitted to evade
the stupendous and far-reaching issue
which they have deliberately brought into
tho arena of politics When the president
supported by practically unanimous
vote of the house and senate, entered
upon war with Spain for the purpose OF
aiding the struggling patriots of Cuba.
the country. without regard to party, APP
klaudsd. Although tie dstueasats rsssss-
hs