Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1900-09-21
BRYAN'S LET I ER.
He Accepts the Presidential Nom
nation.
HE Discusses the Political Issues of the
Day and Tells why lie Favors the
Platform Adopted by the
Kansas City Convention
Promises TO Crush
Trusts lfEiected.

cratic nomination for president was
given out yesterday and the follow
ing are its principal features:
Hon. James d. Richardson. Chairman,
and Others of the Notification Commit
tee OF the Democratic National Conven-
ton:
Gentlemen: In accepting the nomina
tion rendered by you on behalf Of the
democratic party, l beg TO assure you of
my appreciation of the great honor con.
ferred upon me by the delegates in con
vention assembled. and by the voters wno
gave instruction to the delegates.
In my letter of acceptance of 1896 /
made the SLOWING pledge:
so deeply am 1 Impressed with the
magnitude of the power vested by the
constitution in the chief executive Of the
nation and with the enormous influence
which he can WELD for the benefit or in
Jury of the people. that / wish TO enter
the office. II elected. free from any per-
worthy of the confidence of my country
men. Human judgment is fallible enough
when unbiased by selfish considerations,
and, in order that i may not be tempted
TO use the patronage of the office to adj
vance any personal ambition. hereby an
nounce. with all the emphasis which
,yo words can express my iixed determina-
tion not, under any circumstances, TO be a
candidate for reelection, in case this cam
paign results In my election"
Further reflection and observation con-
strain me to renew this pledge
The platform adopted at Kansas City
commands my unqualified approval 1t
tuurdSeOusly meets the Issues now before
the country and states clearly the party
position on every question considered
ADOPTED by convention which assem-
bled on the anniversary of the signing OF
the Declaration of Independence, it
breathss the spirit of candcr, independ-
cnce ann patriotism which charao ;trizes
those who, at Philadelphia in 1776, pro-
mulgated the creed of the re public
Having in my notification speech dis
fussed somewhat al length the paramount
issue, imperialism. and added some OBJ
SeTNattOnS on militaTlgm nd the ROnr
war, 1t Is sufficient at this time to review
the remaining planks Of the platform.
The platform very properly gives prom
lnence to the trust question. The apnall-
ing growth of combinations in restraint
of trade during the present administration
proves conclusively that the republican
party lacks either the desire or the abil-
ity to deal with the question effectively.
speeches and conduct of the republican
leaders, that party does not intend 10
take the peoples side against these or
ganizations, then the weak and qualified
condemnation of trusts to be found in the
republican platform Is designed to dis
tract attention while Industrial despotlsm
is completing its work. private monop-
oily has always been an outlaw. No de-
fense cen be made of an industrial sys-
TEN tenn n fo which hai one; or o few men can con-
price of any article of merchandise.
Our platform. after suggesting certain
specific remedies. pledges the party TO an
unceasing warfare against private monoD-
DIV In nation, state and city, ] heartily
approve of this promise; IL elected. II
shall be my earnest and constant endeav.
or to fnlnll the promise in letter ard splr-
1t. shall select an attorney general who
Will, without fear or favor, enforce exist
Ing laws; ] shall recommend such addl-
tional legislation as may be necessary to
dissolve every private monopoly which
does business outside OF the state of its
origin. and IL, contrary to my belief and
hope. a constitutional amendment Is
fouad to be necessary. shall recommend
such an amendment as Will. without i'm
pairing any of the existing rights of the
states, empower congress to protect the
people of all the states from injury at the
hands OF individuals or corporations en-
CORPORATIONS IN POLITICS
The democratic party makes no war
upon honestly acquired wealth; neither
does II seek to embarrass corporations en-
gagged In legitimate business, but II does
protest against corporations entering poll
itics and attempting to assume control OF
the instrrmentalities of government. A
corporation Is not organized for political
purposes and should be compelled 10 con-
fine itself to the business described in its
charter. Honest corporations, engaged
in an honest business, will find 1t TO their
advantage to aid In the enactment of
such legislation as will protec. them from
brought upon them by those corporations
which enter the political arena.
THE FINANCIAL, PLANK.
The platform reMerates the demand
contained In the Chicago platform for an
= American financial system made by the
American people for themselves. The pur.
pose of such a system Is to restore and
maintain a bimetallic level of prices, and
in order that there may be no uncertain
ty, as to the method OF restoring bimet.
free and unlimited coinage at the existing
ratio OF l6 to !, independent of the action
of other nations, is repeated. In 1896 the
Republican party recognized the neces sity
for bimetallism by pledgng the party &c
an earnest effort to secure an information
al agreement for the fire., coinage OF sill
YER and the president, Immediately after
his Inauguration, by authority of con.
gress, appointed a commission compose
CT distinguished citizens 10 visit Europe
and solicit foreign aid
Now the republican party. for the FIRST
time. openly abandons its advocacy of The
double standard, and indorses the none.
tary system which II has so often and sc
emphatically condemned. The democratic
party, on the contrary, remains the stead
fast advocate of the gold and silver coin
age of the constitution. and Is not willing
that other nations shall determine for Us
the time and manner of restoring silver
to its ancient place as standard money
The ratio of 16 to is not only the ratjt
now existing between all the gold and sil
ver dollars In circulation In this country
a ratio which even the republican admin
istration has not attempted to change, bu
1t is the only ratio advocated by thos'
who are seeking to reopen the mirts
Whether the senate, now hostile to bi
metallism, can be changed during thi
campaign or the campaign, of 1902 ca'
only be determined dlNtE lHc NuttS ar
counted, but neither the present nor tn
future political complxion OF congress ha
prevented or should prevent an announce
ment of the partys position upon thi
subject In uneauivocal terms.
:, The currency bill, which received tn
sanction of the executive ad the republl
can members of the house and senate, jus
titles the warning given by the democrat
DC party in 1896 1t was then predicte
that the republican party would attemp
to retire the greenbacks although the par
~ and its leaders studiously conceale
their Intentions. That purpose Is no'
plain, and the people must choose be
tween the retention of the greenback;
issued ad controlled in volume by tn
government, and national bank nos
currency issued by banks and controlle
In their own interests. If the nationa
bank notes are to be secured by bonds
the currency system now supported
the republican party involves perma
nent and increasing debt. and. SO long q
this system stands, the financial class
will be tempted to throw their powerf'
Influence upon the side of any measni