Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-08-23

PARAMOUNT ISSUE is iMPERIALIsM
Policy in the Philippines Exhaustive
iy Discussed by Bryan.
PEOPLE GOVERNED MUST CONSENT

Following is the speech delivered
by Mr.. Bryan at Indianapolis 20 the
committee which notified him OF his
nomination. for the presidency by the
democratic convention ut Kansas
! City:
Mr.. Chairman and Members OF the
Notification Committee
shall at an early day, aud in a
more formal manner, accept the nom
inatlon which you tender. and l shall
at that time discuss the various uues-
tions covered by the Democratic plat
form. 1t may not be out OF place, now
ever. TO submit few observations at
this time upon the general character
or the contest before us. and upon the
question which is declared to be of
paramount Importance in this cam
paign.
When / say that the contest OF 1900
is contest between Democracy on
the one hand and plutocracy on the
oIher DO not mean To say that all our
opponents have deliberately chosen to
give TO organized wealth a predominant
ing Influence in the affairs of the gov
ernment. but l do assert that Oh the
important issues OF the day the Re
publican party is dominated by those
innuences which constantly tend 10 ele-
Vate pecuniary considerations and ig-
more human rights. Ia 1889 Lincoln
said that the Republican party be-
lieved in the man and the dollar. hut
that In case OF conflict il believed in
the man before the dollar. This is the
proper relation which should exist be-
tween the two. Man. the handiwork OF
God, comes first. money. the handi-
work OF man. is of inferior Importance
10 h..
but upon all important questions today
Republican legislation tends To make
money the master and man the Serv-
ant
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, 10y the people and for the
people" are being disregarded. and
the instrumentalities OF government
are being used TO advance the inter
ests or those who are IN a position TO
secure favors from the government.
The Democratic party is not making
war upon the honest acquisition OF
wealth; IL has no desire 70 discourage
Industry, economy and thrift. On the
contrary. II gives 10 every citizen the
greatest possible stimulus TO honest
toll when IL promises him protection
III the enjoyment OF the proceeds OF
his labor. Property rights are most
secure when human rights are respect
ed Democracy strives for Il civiliZa-
tion in which every member OF society
Will share according tO his merits.
No one has a right 10 expect from
society more than 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 no in
justice 10 him 10 prevent his doing in
Justice 10 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 a compara-
lively small, hut politically and fnan-
cially powerful. number who really
profit by Republican policies. but with
them are associated large number
who. because Of their attachment to
their party name. are giving their sup
port to doctrines antagonistic to the
former teachings OF their own party.
Republicans who used 10 advocate bi-
metallism, now try to convince them
selves that the gold standard is good:
Republicans who were formerly at
tached 10 the greenback are now seek
Ing an excuse for givingnatiOnal 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
reasons to support Il perpetual and in
creasing debt; Republicans who for
merely abhorred a trust. now be@uile
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 OBJ
scure; Republicans who in times past
congratulated the country upon the
small expense of our standing army
are now making light of the objections
which are urged gainst IL large Increase
IN the permanent military establish
ment; Republicans who gloried in our
independence when the nation wa 'ass
powerful now look with favor unSh
foreign alliance; Republicans WIDTHS
years ago who condemned "fOrcihle an
nexatiOn" as immoral and even Grim
inal, are now sure that il is both i'm
moral and criminal to oppose forcible