The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1900-09-27
MlLLIAM j. BRYANS LETTER OF A666P TAN6E

- LII AIAA
Gentlemen:-1 accepting the nomi-
pation rendered by you on behalf Of
the Democratic party, beg to assure
lkyuu OF my appreciation Of the great
henor conferred upon me by the dele
igates in convention assembled, and by
sthe voters who gave instruction to the
idelegates.
am sensible of the responsibilities
Nwhich rest upon the chief magistrate
of 80 great nation, and realize the
8far-reaching effect Of the questions in
Xyolved in the present contest.
In my letter OF acceptance Of 1896.
A made the following pledge:
!, 80 deeply am impressed with the
@magnitude OF the power vested by the
Constitution In the chief executive of
2 TIC nation and with the enormous in
" Hnrence which he can yield for the ben
kaat or injury of the people, that I
wish to enter the office, If elected. free
rom any personal desire, except the
n desire to prove worthy Of the conf
n dence of my countrymen. Human
Judgment is fallible enough when un-
biased by selfish considerations, and,
in order that l may not be tempted to
use the patronage of the office to ad-
>, vance any personal ambition, / hereby
announce, with all the emphasis which
words can express, my fixed determi-
4natton not, under any circumstances,
Ito be candidate for reelection, in
Z case this campaign results In my cleo
tfan.y
~ purthoA reflection and observation
ScunstrsitM Mme to renew this pledge.
n The pkeform adopted at Kansas City
3cpmr2anM my cordial and unqualified
4 Happroyal It courageously meets the
issues enov before the country, and
Estates clearly and without ambiguity
Sthe party's position on every question
stconsidered. Adopted by convention
(which assembled on the anniversary Of
the signing of the Declaration Of In
dependence, 1t breathes the spirit OF
4candor, independence and patriotism
which characterizes those who, at Phil
adelphia in 1776, promulgated the creed
OF the Republic.
Having in my notification speech,
discussed somewhat at length the par
amount issue, imperialism, and added
some observations on militarism and
the Boer war. 1t is sufficient at this
time to review the remaining planks Of
the platform.
Trusts.
A L
The platform very properly gives
prominence to the trust question. The
5appalling growth OF combinations in
ilrestraint OF trade during the present
administration, proves conclusively
'}that the Republican party lacks either
1.-THE desire or the ability to deal with
3Athe question effectively. II. as may be
fairly assumed from the speeches and
8conduct of the Republican leaders, that
s!party does not intend to take the peo-
fble's side against these organizations,
2then the weak and qualified condem-
'Nhation Of trusts to be found in the Re-
publican platform is designed to dis
tract attention while Industrial despot-
ism Is completing its work. A private
monopoly has always been an outlaw.
NO defense can be made of an indus
trial system in which one, or a few
men, can control for their own profit.
the output or price OF any article of
!. merchandise. Under such system the
4 consumer suffers extortion, the produ-
\ Ger of raw material has but one pur-
\ chaser, and must sell at the arbitrary
price fixed; the laborer has but one
employer, and is powerless to protest
against injustice, either in wages or
&n conditions of labor; the small stock
iAolder is at the mercy of the specula-
/; &Or, while the travelling salesman con-
( tributes his salary to the overgrown
6roftsiof the trust. Since but small
,fbroportion Of the people can share in
4he advantages secured by private
nonopolypit fg',9ws that the remain
Der Of the people are not only ex-
&iuded from the benefits, but are the
helpless victims. Of every monopoly or
anized. 1t is difficult to overestimate
The immediate injustice that may be
lone. or to calculate the ultimate ef-
fect Of this injustice upon the social
!And political welfare of the people.
four platform, after suggesting certain
SEpecific remedies; pledges the party to
en unceasing warfare against private
monopoly in nation, state and city.
heartily approve of this promise; IL
lelected, 1t shall be my earnest and con-
Estant endeavor to fulfill the promise In
letter and spirit. shall select an at
torney-general who will, without fear
or favor, enforce existing laws; shall
recommend such additional legislation
as may be necessary to dissolve every
private monopoly which does business
outside OF the state of It's origin; and.
II contrary to my belief and hope,
constitutional amendment is found to
be necessary, l shall recommend such
an amendment as will. without impair
ing 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 corpora
ions engaged In interstate commerce.
The platform accurately describes
the Dingley tariff law. when 1t con-
.T..x.