The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1900-08-10
Mr.. BRYBRS PLAIN TALK.
Discusses Paramount Questions Of
the Democratic Platform.
Rights OF the People In United states
and Acquired TerFitOFies-Daa-
gers OF Imperialism and Mill
farism-The True Republic.

In response to the tender Of the nom
nation for the presidency BY the nOti-
fcation committee Of the democracy, at
Indianapolis, Wednesday, August s,
William J. Bryan said:
Mr. Chairman and Members OF the Noti-
fcatiOn COMMITTEES: I shall. at an early
day, and in a more formal manner accept
the nomination which you tender. and
shall at that time discuss the various Ques-
tons covered By the democratic platform
1t may not be out Of place, however, to
submit a 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 campaign
When L say that the contest Of 1900 is
contest between democracy on the one hand
and plUtOcracy On the other do not mean
to say that all our opponents have DELHI
erately chosen 10 give to organized wealth
a predOminating influence in the affairs Of
the government but I do assert that on
the important issues Of the day the repub-
Hcan party is dominated by those influences
which constantly tend to elevate pecuniaTy
cOnsidera lions and ignore human rights
In 1850 Lincoln said that the republican
party believed in the man and the dollar,
but that in case Of conflict II believed in
the man before the dollar 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 Inferior Importance Man is the mas
ter, money the servant; but upon all i'm
pOrtant questions to-day republican legts-
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
government ''Of the people, by the people
and for the people are being disregarded
and the inStrumeutalities Of government
are being used TO advance the interests Of
those who are in q position to secure favOrs
from the government
The Desire of Democracy.
The democratic party is not making war
upon the honest acquisition Of wealth; IL
has no desire to discourage industry, econ
Omy and thrift On the contrary, IT gives
TO every citizen the greatest possible slim
illus TO honest toll, when ii promises him
protection in the enjoyment Of the pro-
ceeds Of his labor. Property rights are
most secure when human rights are re-
speCted. Democracy strives for civiliza-
ton in which every member Of society
will share according to his merits
No one has a right to expect from so
ciety more than a fair compensation for
the service which ne renders to society
II he secures more, IT is at the expense
OF some one else 1t is no injustice to him
to prevent his doing injustice TO another
To him who would, either through class
legislation or in the absence OF necessary
legislation, trespass upon the rights Of an
other, the democratic party says: Thou
shalt not
Republican Excuses.
Against US are arrayed a comparatively
small, but politically and financially pow
erful number who really profit by repub-
ucan policies; but with them are associated
a large number who, because OF their at
tachment to their party name, are giving
their support TO doctrines antagOnistic to
the former teachings Of their own party
Republicans who used to advocate bimet-
aIism, now try to convince themselves
~nrrfr
who were formerly attached TO the green
back are now seeking an excuse for Civ
ing national banks control Of the nations
paper money republicans who used to
boast that the republican party was pay
ing or the national debt, are now looking
Tor reasons to support q perpetual and in
creasing debit republicans who formerly
abhOrred trust, now beEuile 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 objections
which are urged against g large increase
In the permanent military establishment:
republicans who ElOr1ed IN our independ-
snCe when the nation was less powerful
now look with favor upon a foreign al
lance republicans who three years ago
condemned 'fOrcible annexation" as i'm
moral and even criminal are now sure
that it is both immoral and criminal to
oppose forcibie annexation That partisan
ship has already blinded many to present
dangers is certain; how large portion
OF the republican party can De drawn over
TO the new policies remains to be seen
For a time republican leaders were in
cLned to deny to opponents the right to
criieise the Philippine policy Of the ad-
ministrat ton, but upon Investigation they
found that both Lincoln and Clay assert
ed and exercised the right to criticise a
president during the progress OF the Mex
lean war
Instead of meeting the issue boldly and
submitting a clear and positive plan for
dealing with the Philippine question, the
republican convention adopted q platform
the larger part Of which was devoted to
bOasting and INSTRUMENTATION
In attempting to press economic ques-
tons upon the country to the exclusion
OF those which involve the very structure
Of our government, the republican lead
ers give new evidence Of their abandon
ment Of the earlier ideals OF the party and
Of their complete subserviency to pecun-
larry considerations
No Evasion.
But they shall not be permitted to evade
the stuDendOus and far-reachinE issue
which they have deliberately brought into
the arena OF politics When the president
supported by practically unanimous
vote OF the house and senate, entered
upon war with Spain for the purpose Of
aiding the struggling patriots OF Cuba
the country, without regard to party ap-
pIaudsd. Although the democrats recog-
nized that the administration would neces-
sarily gain a political advantage from
the conduct OF a war which in the very
nature Of the case must soon end In q
compIete victory they We'd with the re-
publfcans In the support which they gave
20 the president When the var was
over and the republican leaders began TO
; suggest the propriety o. a colonial policy
Opposition at once manifested itself
when ths president finally laid before tAe
senate a treaty which recognized the in
dependence OF Cuba. but provided for the
csssfon q the PhilaDpine Islands 70 the
TTrffed states. the menace OF imperialism
hecan1e 50 APPARENT that many pnsfeIrsd
10 rssect The treaty and FISK the us that
--f-rt Trfio-r rsEner Llal take 5ae chance