Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-10-20


lowing letter, accepting the nomination
OF the Silver Lincoln Republicans, was
mailed to-day by Mr.. Bryan:
Is Buffalo. N. Y. Oct. 20. 1900.
Hon. Samuel w. Hopkins, Chairman
and Others, Members of the Notinca-
ton Committee. of the Silver Lincoln
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
last. In accepting the nomination 1
beg to express my hearty appreciation
OF the support given our ticket by the
members OF your party in the cam
paign of 1886. and of the fidelity shown
by them during the four years which
have since elapsed. The evidence of
confidence and good will manifested
anew at the last national convention
places me under renewed Obligations
Ihere is consistency about the human
mind which leads an individual to
apply old principles to new conditions.
ana l was. therefore, not surprised to
ma that those who left the Republican
party In 1896 on the money question are
now opposed to 1T on the trust oues-
ton. which has increased in import
ance since 1896, and upon militarism
ana Imperialism the new questions
winch the Republican party has forced
upon the public within the last two
years. wv
Your platform. of which you enclose
a copy, Is in its eclaratIons SO similar
10 the Democratic platform adopted Mt
Kansas City that 1t is not necessary for
me to take up the planks In detail.
enclose the following documents and
make them part of this letter:
l. My speech at indianapolis, in re-
ply to the Democratic Notification
Committee. dealing with ImperiaIism
Militarism and the resolution express
ing sympathy for the Beers
z. My letter formally accepting the
democratic nomination. covering other
planks OF the platform.
3. My speech accepting the PoDulist
nomination dealing with those issues
upon which the Democrats and Pop
uiists occupy common ground.
a. My speech delivered at ST. Louis
the 18TH OF September on the Trust
question.
These documents have already been
widely published in the press of the
country. and the members of your
party are fully informed in regard to
my views on the questions covered.
In 1895 the money question was the
question OF paramount Importance. but
the Republican party. by it's disregard
or the principles OF our Republic and
. Dy It's advocacy OF policies reDugnant
TO the doctrine of government has
!!eft us no choice. but to summon oil
lovers OF the Declaration OF Independ-
ence to the defense OF that sacred doc
ument and the Constitution framed In
accordance with 1t.
LINCoLN'S WORDS.
In your letter you quote several an
proprlate extracts from Lincoln's
speeches. find in n speech by Lin
coin in 1858 a defense of the Declare
ton of Independence, accompanied by
n fervent and patriotic appeal to his
countrymen not to abandon the prin-
ciples therein enunciated. 1t Is so ap-
plicable to the present time and so in
harmony with the references you have
made to Lincoln's words, that l quote
the following extract:
Now, my countrymen, IL 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 its grandeur and mntilate the
fair symmetry OF it's proportions: If
you have been inclined TO believe that
all men are not created equal In those
inalienable 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 of any man whomsoever. but come
back to the truths that are in the De-
claration Of Independence. You may
do anything with me you choose If you
Will but heed these sacred principles.
You may not only defeat me for the
Senate. but you may take me and put
me to death. While pretending no in
difference to earthly honorS, / do claim
thing higher than an anxiety for Office.
charge you TO drop every paltry and
insignificant thought for any mans
success. II is nothing; I am nothing;
Judge Douglas is nothing. But do not
destroy that immortal emblem of hu-
inanity--the Declaration of American
independence.
slow 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 II was
promulgated, and the commercialism
which would sacrifice every noble and
holy purpose In pursuit of new mar
kets. and would endorse the doctrine
that trade can he purchased with hu
man blood-a doctrine advanced by
those VINO want TO give syndicates q
chance to exploit distant colonies.
In response to the hope which you
express, permit me to assure you that
my political obligations are due entire
~ to the plain people. who ask no
special privileges at the hands OF the
Government, but demand only equality
of rights and an opportunity to enjoy
life. liberty and the pursuit OF hap
piness under the flag of a Republic.
These people. the nations wealth pro-
ducers In time of peace andFthe ma
tion's warriors In time OF war have