Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-10-20

Silver Lincoln Republicans, was mailed
by AIr. Bryan:
Buffalo, n. T., Oct. 10.
Hon. Samuel w. Hopkins. Chairman,
ana others, Members Of the Motif
cation Committee of the Silver Lin
celn Republican party:
Gentlemen-I am IN receipt of your
letter formally notifying me of my
nomination for the presidency by the
Silver Lincoln Republican national
convention, held at Kansas City, July
i, last. In accepting the nomination
| beg 10 express my hearty appfecia-
ton of the support given our ticket
by the members of your party III the
campaign OF 1896 and of the fidelity
shown by them during the four years
which have since elapsed. The eyi.
deDce of confidence and good will
manifested anew at the last national
convention places me under renewed
obligations There Is consistency
about the human mind which leads an
individual to apply old principles to
new conditions, aud / was therefore
not surprised to find that those who
on the money question are now op.
posed to 1t on the trust question. which
has increased in Importance since 1896,
and upon miitarism and Imperialism
the new questions which the Repub
lican party has forced upon the public
within the last two years.
Your platform, of which you en-
close copy, is in its declarations SO
similar to the Democratic platform
adopted at Kansas City that it is not
necessary for me to take up the planks
in detail. / enclose the following doe
uments and make them a part of this
letter:
First-My speech at indianapolis in
reply to the Democratic notification
committee dealing with Imperialism,
militarism and the resolution express.
ing svlnpa thy for the Beers.
Secondly letter formally accept
ing the Democratic nomination, cover.
ing other planks of the platform.
Third My speech accepting the Pop
ulist nomination. dealing with those is.
sues upon which the Democratic an,
PopulistS occupy common ground.
Foufth-My speech delivered at st.
Louis Sept 10 on the trust question.
These documents have already been
widely published in the press of the
country and the members of your par.
ty are fully informed in regard to my
views on the questions covered.
In 1896 the money question was the
question of paramount Importance. but
The Republican party, by its disre.
gard of policies repugnant to the doc
trine 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 she constitution framed in accord.
ance with it,
In your letter you quoted several ap-
propriate extracts from Lineoln's
speeches | find i'll a speech by Lin.
coin in 1878, a defense of the Declare
tioa Of Independence. accompanied by
a fervant md patriotic appeal to his
countrymen not to abandon the princi-
pies therein enuneiated. 1t is so ap-
plicahle to the present time and so in
harmony with the references you
have made to Lincoln's words that
quote the following extract:
Now. 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 It's grandeur and mutilate the
fair symmetry OF its proportions; il
you have been inclined to believe that
all men are NOT created equal in those
inaleinahle rights enumerated by our
chart OF liberty, let me entreat you to
come back. Return to the fountain
whose waters spring close by the blood
Of the revolution. Think nothing of
me; take no thought for the political
fate any man WhomSoever. but come
back 70 the truths that are i'll the Dec
laration of Independence. You may
do amy thing with me you choose. il
you will but heed these sacred princi
pies. You may not only defeat me for
the senate. but You may take me and
put me to death. While pretending no
indifference to earthly honors. | do not
claim to be actuated in this contest
by something higher than an anxiety
for Office. | charge you to drop every
paltry and Insignificant thought for
any mans success. 1t is nothing; Z
am nothing; Judge Douglas is nothing
But do not destroy that immortal en-
blem of humanity-the Declaration OF
American independence
How harsh the contrast between the
lofty sentiments expressed by Lincoln
and the sordid, mercenary appeal now
made to the people by the Republican
party. How great the chasm between
the craftsmanship which would sacri-
flee life itself in defense of that i'm
mortal document which has been the
model of republics ever since 1t was
promulgated. and the commercalism
which would sacrifice every noble and
holy purpose in pursuit of new mar
kets and would endorse the doctrine
that trade can be purchased with hui
man blood-a doctrine advanced by
| those who want to give syndicates a
| chance to exploit distant colonies.
| In response to the hope which you
express. permit me to assure you that
my political obligations are due en-
tirely to the plain people who ask no
special privileges at the hands of the
government, but demand only equal
ity of rights and an opportunity to en-
joy life, liberty and the pursuit of hap
| pness under the flag of a republic.
! These people the nations wealth nro-