Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-08-23

OnAS III ass lhC "a S-NA$-N-
ship swore before high heaven with
uplifted hand to protect and defend
the constitution of our country. 1t IS
| this constitution that is assailed and
foreign-born citizens Will not forget
the oath sthat admitted them TO share
it's blessings. You have a stupendous
struggle before you-one that must try
to the utmost the moral, intellectual
and physical qualities with which the
Creator has endowed you. But, sir,
we are assured that the just and mer-
ciful God that raised you up to be
the leader in this great national strng-
gle for preserving to this and all
other countries that are brought
within our power the inalienable
rights of man. whatever his creed,
color, or nativity, will be with you,
and guide and protect you through all
perils that may be set in your path
way"
MT. Brysn's Reply.
Mr.. Bryan. replying to notification
of his nomination as presidential can
didate, said: I'm accepting the presi-
Dental nomination which you tender
on behalf of the populist party, L de-
sire to give emphatic recognition TO
the educational work done by your
party. The populist party, as an or
ganization, and the farmer alliances
and the labor organizations from
which they sprung, have done much
TO arouse the people to study OF
economic and industrial questions.
Believing. as | do, that truth grows,
not in seclusion but in the open field.
and that it thriyes best in the sunlight
of full and free debate, have conf
dence that the discussion which your
party has compelled will aid in reach
ing that true solution of pending
problems toward which ali honest
citizens aim. In 1896 the money
question was of paramount impor-
tance and the allies in that cam paign
united in the demand for the immedi-
ate restoration of silver by the inde-
pendent action of this country at l6
to l, the ratio which had existed since
1884. They were defeated, but that
did not end the discussion. The dem
ocrats were defeated in 1888. but that
did not put an end to tariff reform.
The republicans were defeated in 1892,
but that did not permanently over
throw the protective tariff. Defeat at
the polls does not necessarily decide a
great problem. Experience. and ex-
perience alone, settles questions. If
an increase in the volume of the cur
rency since 1896. although unprom-
ised by the republicans and unex-
pected, has brought Improvement in
industrial conditions, this improve
ment, instead of answering the argu-
ments put forth in favor of bimetal-
ism, only confirms the contention of
those who insisted that more money
would make better times.
The republican party, however,
while claiming credit for the increase
in circulation, makes no permanent
provision for an adequate supply of
standard money. 1t denies the neces-
eity for more real money, while il
permits national banks to expand the
volume of paper promises to pay
money.
I'm 1896 the reform forces charged
the republican party with intending
to retire the greenbacks. This charge,
denied at the time, has been confess
ed by the financial bill, which converts
green backs, when once redeemed, into
gold certificates and extends new priv
ileges to banks of issue. If a popu-
list opposed the republican party
when its hostility to greenbacks was
only suspected, that opposition should
be greater now since no one can
longer doubt the purpose OF the re-
publican party to substitute bank
notes for green backs"
Mr.. Bryan then called attention to
the first moves now being made by
the administration looking toward a
colonial policy, the retention of a
large standing army that must nee
essarily follow and of its consequent
burdens to the people. The threat
ened menace of militarism he charac-
terized AS but part of Imperialism.
His address was given the closest at
tention throughout and ended with
these significant words:
Our opponents say that the world
would laugh at US if we should give
independence to the FIlipinos. Yes,
kings would laugh. aristOcrats would
laugh, and those would laugh who
deny the inalienable rights of men
and despise the humb bier folks who
along the cool seqUestered vale of
life keep the noiseless tenor of their
way but let this nation stand erect
and. spurniDg the brides of wealth
and power, show that there is a reali- |
ty in the principles which we profess;
let it show that there is di ference
between q republic aud a monarchy, |
and the oppressed in every land will
see IN our flag the hope of their OWE
deliverance and, whether they are
bleeding upon the battlefield or groan-
ing beneath a tyrant's lash. will raise
their eyes toward heaven and breathe !
a fervent prayer for the safety of our
PECK MAKES CONFESSION. |