People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1900-08-16
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
? tRrism-The True Republic.


In response to the tender of the NOM
nation for the presidency by the noti-
6cation committee of the democracy, at
indianapolis, Wednesday, August s,
William ]. Bryan said:
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Noti-
6cation Committee: l shall, at an early
day, and in a more formal manner, accept
the nomination which you tender, and
shall at that time discuss the various ques-
tons covered by the democratic platform.
1t may not be out Of place, however, to
submit few observations at this time
upon the general character of the contest
before VI. and upon the question which
Is declared to be of paramount Importance
In this campaign.
When I 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
a predominating influence in the affairs Of
the government, but l do assert that on
the important issues Of the day the repub
Gcan party is dominated by those influences
which constantly tend to elevate pecuniary
considerations and ignore human rights.
In 1889 Lincoln said that the republican
party believed in the man and the dollar,
but that in case of conflict it 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
Ind 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
government ''of the people, by the people
and for the people" are being disregarded
and the instrumentalities of government
lre 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 tbs honest acquisition of wealth; 1t
has no desire to discourage industry. econ
pmy 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 oiviliza-
ton in which every member of society
will share according to his merits.
No one has a right to expect from So
tiety more than fair compensation for
the service which he renders to society.
If he secures more. it is at the expense
Of some one else. 1t IS no injustice to him
to prevent his doing injustice to another
10 him who would, either through class
legislation or in the absence of necessary
legislation, trespass upon the rights of an
pther, the democratic party says; Thou
shalt not"
Republican Excuses.
Against us are arrayed a comparatively
small but politically and financially pow
e1fsl. number who really profit by repub-
bcsA poheies; but with them are associated
large number who, because of their at
taehment 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-
Rlism, 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 on the national debt, are now looking
Tor reasons to support perpetual and in
creasing debt; republicans who formerly
Rbhorred 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.
ere row making light of the objections
which 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
nance; republicans who three years ago
condemned "forcible annexation" as i'm
moral and even criminal, are now sure
that Is both immoral and criminal to
oppose forcible annexation. That partisan
snip has already blinded many to present
oangsSs Is certain; hos large a portion
OF the republican party can be drawn over
10 the new policies remains TO be seen.
For time republican leaders were in
ehnsd to deny to opponents the right to
cridciss the Philippine policy Of the ad-
mihlstration. but upon investigation they
Iouhd mat both Lincoln and Clay assert
cd and exercised the right to criticiss a
president during the progress Of the Mex
lean wal.
instead OF meeting the issue boldly and
submitting clear and positive plan for
reaiing with the Philippine question, the
republican convention adopted a platform
the larger part Of which was devoted to
boasting and DEMONSTRATION.
In attempting to press economic Quss-
lions upon the country to the exclusion
OF those which involve the very structure
pI our government, the republican lead
ers give new evidence of their abandon
ment Of the earlier Ideals Of the party and
OF their complete subserviency to pecun-
larry considerations.
No Evasion.
But they shall not be permitted 10 eyade
The stupendOus and far-reaching issue
which they have deliberately brought into
The arena Of politics. When the president
supported by a 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. sp-
plauded. Although the democrats recog-
nized that the administration would neces-
Earfly gain political advantage from
the conduct Of a war which, in the very
nature Of the case. must soon end In a
complete victory, they Wed with the re-
publicans in the support which they gave
to the president When the war was
over and the republican leaders began to
suggest the propriety Of colonial policy,
opposition at once manifested itself.
When the president finally laid before the
senate treaty which recognized the in
dependence of Cuba, but provided for the
cession of the Philippine islands to the
United States, the menace of Imperialism
became so apparent that many preferred
to reject the treaty and risk the ills that