Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1900-08-17
CAMPAIGN KEYNOTE
Sounded by the Democratic Lead
er in His Speech at
Indianapolis.
PARAMOUNT ISSUE Is IMPERIALISM
Policy in the Philippines Exhaustive
ly Discussed by Bryan.
PEOPLE GOVERNED MUST CONSENT
Or the Government Is Not on Lines
Authorized by the Principles
of the American Repub.
lic-Appeal TO the
Fathers.
PARAMOUNT ISSUE is IMPERIALISM
PEOPLE GOVERNED LUST CONSENT

by Mr.. Bryan at Indianapolis to tie
eommittee which notified him of his
nomination. for the presidency by the
democratic convention at Kansas
City:
Mr.. Chairman and Members OF the
Notification Committee
L shall, at an early day, and in q
more formal manner. accept the nom
nation which you tender. and L shall
at that time discuss the various cues
tions covered by the Democratic plas.
form. 1t may not be out OF place. how.
ever, to submit few observations n;
this time upon the general character
OF the contest before us. and upon the
question which is declared to be of
paramount Importance in this cam
paign.
when L say that the contest of 1890
is contest between Democracy on
the one hand and plutocracy on the
otner do not mean To say that all our
opponents have deliberately chosen To
give to organized wealth Il predominant
ing Influence in the affairs of the gov
ernment, bGt l do assert that on the
important issues of the day the Re-
publican party is dominated by those
influences which constantly tend toele-
vate pecuniary considerations and ig-
more human rights. In 1859 Lincoln
said that the Republican party he
Ieved 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 he
tween the two Man, the handwork OF
Cod, comes first. money, the handi-
work of man, is of inferior Importance.
iS
but upon all important questions today
Republican legislation tends TO make
money the master and man the serv-
ant.
The maxim of Jefferson. "cdual
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 dsregarded. and
the instrumentalties OF government
are being used To advance the inter
ests of those who are in position to
secure favors from the government.
The Democratic party is not making
war upon the honest acquisition of
wealth; IL has no desire 20 discourage
industry, economy aud thrift On the
contrary, IL gives 10 every citizen the
greatest possible stimulus to honest
toll when it promises him protection
in the enjoyment OF the proceeds OF
MS labor. Property rights are most
secure when human rights are respect
ed. Democracy strives for civillza-
ton in which every member of society
Will share according To his merits
No one has a right 10 expect from
society more than Il fair compensation
for the service which he renders to
society. II he secures more IL is at the
expense OF some one else. IL Is no in
Justice 20 him TO prevent his doing in
Justice TO another. To him who would
either through class legislation or i'm
The absence of necessary legislation.
trespass upon the rights of another the
Democratic party says, Thou shalt
not"
Against us are arrayed n compara-
lively small, but politically and imam
cially powerful. number who really
No RenvblicOD policias bnt with
them are associated large NUMBER
who, because Of their attachment To
their party name, are giving their sun
port to doctrines antagonistic TO the
former teachings Of their own party.
Republicans who used 10 adVocate bi-
metallism, now try to convince chem
selves that the geld standard is good;
fNCHuOiiCsiiS N4lD- W ere tDrmellN at-
tached to the greenback are now seek
Ing an excuse for givlngnational banks
control of the nations paper money;
Republicans who used 10 boast that
the Republican party was paving OFF
the national debt, are now looking for
reasons to support = perpetual and in
creasing debt; Republicans who for
merely abhorred trust, now beyujle
themselves with the delusi0n thar there
sre good trusts and bad trusts. while
In their minds the line between the
two is becoming more and more OBJ
scure; Republicans who I'm times past
congratulated the country upon the
small expense OF our standing army
are now making light of the objections
which are urged : cainSta large Increase
In the permanent military establish
ment; Republicans who glorlel In our
independence when the nation WAS less
powerful now look with favor upon n
foreign alliance: Republicans whothree
years ago who condemned "f0rcible an
neXation" as in.marai aad evan Grim.
inal. are now sure that It is both i'm
moral and criminal to oppose forcible
annexation.