The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1900-08-16
BRYAN'S SPEECH
OF ACCEPTANCE,

democratic nomination for president of
the United States:
"Mr. Chairman and Members of the
Notification Committee:
81 shall, at an early day and in a
more formal manner, accept the nom
nation which you tender, and l shall
at that time discuss the various ques-
lions covered by the democratic plat
form. 1t may not be out of place,
however, to submit few observations
at 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
psign.
"When l say that the campaign of
1900 is a contest between democracy
| on the one hand and plutocracy on the
other, I do not mean to say that all
our opponents have deliberately chosen
to give to organized wealth FREEDOM
mating influence in the affairs of the
government, but l do assert that on
the important issues of the day the re-
| publican party is dominated by those
Influences which constantly tend to
elevate pecuniary considerations and
| ignore human rights.
I'm 1859 Lincoln said that the Re-
publican party believed in the man and
the dollar, but that in case of conflict
| it believed in the man before the dol
lar. 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 in
ferior importance. Man is the master;
money the servant, butupon all impor-
taut questions today republican legis-
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 peo-
pie, are being disregarded and the ir-
strumentalities of government are be-
ing used to advance the interests of
those who are in a position to secure
favors from the government.
"The democratic party is not max
ing war upon the honest acquisition OF
wealth; it has no desire to discour-
age industry, economy and thrift. On
the contrary, it gives to every citizen
the greatest possible stimulus to hon
est toll, when it promises him protec-
ton in the enjoyment OF the proceeds
OF his labor. Property rights are
most secure when human rights
sre respected. Democracy stands
for a civilization which every
member of society will enjoy ac-
cording to his rights.
Against US are arrayed a compare
lively small, but politically and fnan-
cially powerful, number who really
profit by republican policies; but with
them are associated a large number
who, because of their attachment to
the party name, are giving their sup
port to doctrines antagonistic to the
former teachings of their own party.
Republicans who used to advocate BIZ
metallism now try to convince them
selves that the gold standard is good;
republicans who were formerly at
tached to the green5ack are now seek.
ing an excuse for giving national banks
control of the nations paper money;
republicans who used to boast that the
republican party was paying off the
national debt are now looking for rea
sons to support a perpetual and in
creasing debt; republicans who for
merly abhorred q 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, are now making light of the OBJ
jections which are urged against a
large increase in the permanent mill.
tary establishment; republicans who
gloried in our independence when the
nation was less powerful, now look
with favor upon foreign alliance; re-
publicans who three years ago con-
demned 'forcible annexation as i'm
moral and even criminal, are now sure
that it is both immoral and criminal to
oppose forcible annexation. That par
tisanship has already blinded many to
present dangers is certain.
''For time republican leaders were
inclined to deny to opponents the right
to criticise the Philippine policy of
the administration. but upon investi-
CATION they found that both Lincoln
and Clay asserted and exercised the
right to criticise a President during
the progress of the Mexican war.
Instead of meeting the issue bold
~ and submitting clear and positive
plan for dealing with the Philippine
question, the Republican convention
adopted platform, the larger part OF
which was devoted TO boasting and
self-congratulation.
When the war was over and the re-
publican leaders began to suggest the
oropriety of colonial policy, opposi-
lion at once manifested itself. When
he president finally laid before the
senate treaty which recognized the
N 1onon6aDoo IF CDbo hut prOvidad