The Van Buren press., 1900-08-11
RRYAN'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 Impe rialiSm and Mill
tarism-The True Republic.

fication committee of the democracy, al
indianapolis, Wednesday, August S
William J. Bryan said:
Mr.. Chairman and Members of the Noti-
fication COMMITTEES: | 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-
lions covered by the democratic platform
1t may not be out OF place, however; 70
submit a few observations at this time
upon the general character of the contest
before u.s. and upon the question which
is declared to be of paramount Importance
In this campaign.
When / 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 deiip-
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 pecunlary
considerations and ignore human rights.
In 1853 Lincoln said that the republican
party believed in the man and the dollar,
but that In case of conflict II 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
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
and for the people," are being disregarded
and the instrumentalities 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. II
~has no desire to discourage Industry, econ
omy and thrift. On the contrary, 1t gives
to every citizen th0greatest possible slim
ulus to honest toll, when II promises hun
protection In the enjoyment OF the pro-
ceeds OF his labor property rights are
most secure when human rights are re-
spected Democracy strives tor civiliza-
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 Tor
the service which he renders to society.
II he secures more, II Is at the expense
OF some one else Ii Is noinjustice 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 a comparatively
small, but politically and financially pow
eriul, numver VINO reany pIont by repup-
ucan policies; but with them are assocla ted
large NUMBER VINO, 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 bimer-
alism, now try TO convince themselves
that the gold standard Is good republicans
VINO We're formerly attached 10 me green
pack 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
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
ana 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
when are urged against large Increase
In the permanent military establishment;
republicans who gorled In our independ-
ence when the nation was less powerful,
now look with favor upon a foreign al
lance republicans. who three years ago
conaemned 'Iorcible annexation" as i'm
moral and even criminal, are now sure
that II Is both immoral and criminal to
oppose forcible annexation. That partisan
ln1 AI 40. ....t
dangers il certsin Now 'ii nrns " p ivsvtm,
Of fhe renuh,ican ~. 80, ~" W. ",s. a po,.,o,
10 the new policies remains to be seen.
FOR time republican leaders were in
crticise the phii,nngino nn,o, we r ,h ~
ministrat,nn hmt p p,n, pvneN %, tne 10.
FOUND that both Lincoln and Clay assert
edsand exercised the right TO crticise a
lean war '"''"s '"e progress Oh 'he Mex
in,taah =, ,,..t., A.. 49,. ,,,,
suhmItiins ", o,oar sne ,ssue oo.n,y INC
DEALING Win ,he ph %in n"s'u o p,an ,or
rsnwh,Ioo, nas,,a., tn,"Psnw uues.ion Wv
Tx iargar nor, ~ uh, nnop,eu = piuu9r,n
los stinr ana se,S oo w,um w"H ueVo'eo 10
In at,emn,,n. ~ nrass ' 80.
t,ons mon ,ho oo,n p'rss eo1mo'i,,o uues,
OF those which inyoive the vnrv strnc,mro
OF our government, the republican lend.
ers give new evidence OF their abandon.
ment OF tne earlier Ideals OF the party and
o. their complete subservlency to pecuns
iary considerations.
No Evasion,
Hut they shall NOT be perm,,,ed IN avoa.
Witch 1 ,Sev hax. ANY ,at,IeaSning issue
he er.na y, "o,i,,"s WhanV paousn, mo
sunnoricd hv nrao,iaon,,," wy p ivsH,uems
vote of The honsae ana sa, a""n,, 'ns
unon n war WHY Sna d,u ,or s, ,ha en.ere9
The aoun,ry w,ns,,' roy yas,V ~ u, supa,
nis,,dad ii,%auah 80 $500 Sa W pal W. ap-
nised that the Observation-Disclosures wouid necss.
m rliv ~ain ma,i',oai ",, S WIFI "sces-
s shs son gam political advantage from
nsturs ~ ,he ca wa, wi'en, VI we very
comnia,e v,"torv NAV ,toS aov o, e"u !"
publicans in the sumner, witch ' ,ho we ', re-
o 20 rne president ,nn s,,N when me war was
suvyss' ,ha va, nronvr,,,, W aeauvrs pegan 10
onees;,,on ' p,op nnnH y, J9lonia' poney
Wken ,ha ,ras,a.n' n, ,,," ~ IL tseIi
sane, Wv p,es,'sus lllhiiy islq before me
teh"'' ~ h'd's Whitn Tt'btnlLtu lnt IN