The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-09
BRYAN'S SPEECH
OF ACCEPTANCE
Outlines His Policy if
Made President.
AN EXTRA SESSION.
Will Call Congress Immediately After
Inauguration.
IMPERIALISM THE KEYNOTE.
The Dangers OF the Republican Policy
OF Governing New Possessions
Graphically Depicted = Hon.
Adlai Stevenson Spoke
Along the Same
IMPERIALISM THE KEYNOTE.

In accepting the nomination Mr.. Bryan
spoke as follows:
Mr.. Chairman and Members Of the Ma
tional Committee:
l shall, at an early, day, and in a more
formal manner, accept the nomination
which you tender me, and I shall at that
time discuss the various questions covered
by the Democratic platform. II may not
ba out Of place, however, to submit few
observations at this time upon the general
character OF the contest before us, and up
on the question which is declared to be Of
paramount Importance in this campaign.
When 1 say that the contest of 1909 is
a contest between Democracy on the one
hand and plutocracy on the other. I do
not Smean to say that all our opponents
have deliberately chosen to give to or
ganized wealth a predominatins influence
in the affairs of the Government, but I do
assert that on the important issues of
the day the Republican party is dominated
by those Influences which constantly tend
to elevate pecuniary considerations and
ignore human rights.
In 1853 Lincoln said that the Republican
party believed in the man and the dollar.
bu: that in case of conflict it believed in
the man before the dollar. This is the prop
er 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 master;
money the servant, but upon ali important
questions to-day, Republican legislation
tends TO ,nake money tho 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 instruinentalities OF Government
ara being used to advance the interests Of
those who are in position 10 secure IA
vors from the Government
The Democratic party is not making war
upon the honest acquisition of wealth; it has
no desire to discourage industry, economy
and thrift On the contrary, it gives 10
every citizen the greatest possible slim
uluI 10 honest toll, when it promises HIM
protection in the enjoyment Of the pro-
ceeds OF his labor. Property rights are
most secure when human rights are re-
specteG. Democracy strives for d civili-
zaton in which every member Of society
will share according 10 his merits.
No one has right to expect from So
ciety more than a fair compensation for
The service which he renders to society. If
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 legis-
!auon or in the absence Of necessary leg
isiation, trespas upon the rights OF an
other, the Democratic party says Thou
shalt not"
Against US are arrayed a comparatively
small, but politically and financially powS
erfu number who really profit by Republic
can policies; but with them are associated
q large number who, because of their at
tachment to the party name, are giving
their support TO doctrines antasonis to
the former teachings OF their own party.
Republicans who used to advocate BIZ
metalism now try 10 convince themselves
that the gold standard is good: Republi-
cans who were formerly attached TO the
sreenback are now seeking an excuse for
giving national banks control Of the ma
tons paper money; Republicans who used
to boast that the Republican party was
paying off the national debt are now look
ing for reasons to support a perpetual and
increasing debt Republicans who formerly
abhorred trust, now beguile themselves
with the delusion that there are good
trusts and bad trusts, while, in their
minds. the line between the two IS becom-
ing more and more obscure; Republicans
who, in times past. congra tulated the
country upon the small expense OF our
standing army. are now making light OF
the objections which are urged against
large increase in the permanent military
establishment; Republicans who glorlned
in our independence when the nation was
less powerful now work with favor upon Il
foreign alliance; Republicans. who three
wears ago condemned "forcibe annexa-
tom as immoral and even criminal. are
-, hath INN, oil aylI
criminal TO oppose forcibe annexation.
That parrisanship has already blinded
many to present dangers is certain; how
large a portion of the Republican party
can be drawn over to the new politics re-
mains to be seen.
For a time Republican leaders We're in
cined TO deny to opponents the right 10
crH!cise the Philippine policy OF the Ad-
r,;nistration but upon investigation they
fo,nd that both Lincoln and Clay asserted
and exercised the right to criticise Prest-
dent during the progress OF the Mexican
war. -
instead of meeting the issue boldly AMI
submitting a clear end positive Plan l'r
dealing with the Philippine question. the
Republican Convention adopted a platform.
the larger part of which was devoted 10
osstinc sad self congratulation.
In attempting 70 press economic qccs-
tinns ,Ipon the country 10 the exclusion
of these which involve the very structure
of oul Government, the Republican leaders
give new evidence Of their aban1ohilleht
of the earlier ideals of the party and OF /:
their complete subserviency 10 pecIniaFy
considerations.
Cannot EvaGe the Issue
Blu. they shall not be permitted to evade !
the stupenious and iar-reach ns ISSUE
which they have deliberately brought into |
the arena OF politics. When the PreSi- |
dent. supported by practically unani- |
NOUS vote of the House ana Senate. en-
tered upon a war with SPAN LOT 'ne pEr-
r,se of aiding the struggling patriots OF |
Cuba, the country, without regard to
party, apD,auded. Although the Demo