The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-08-08

INDIANAPOLIS, Aug S.-Chairman
Richardson, in his address formally noti-
flying Mr. Bryan of his nomination for the
Presidency by the Democratic National
Convention at Kansas City, paid elo-
Quent tribute to the high character of the
candidate. The address follows:
MIR. RIchardSon's Address.
Mr.. Bryan: On the one hundred and
twenty-fourth anniversary Of the birth Of
this Republic there assembled in Kansas
City the most intensely American Conyen-
ton that ever came together in its history.
This great body was made up of men from
every State and Territory in the Union
They came from their respective districts
filled with unfeigned enthusiasm for the
inspiring cause which brought them to-
g6ther. Their seven millions of constft~
uents had empowered them to frame a
platform of principles and select eandi-
date for President and Vice President Of
the United States in what they conceived
to be the supTemest political crisis that
ever came TO our country.
These delegates all realized that the
Republic is in peril. They felt that the
duty was theirs 10 take such action as
would rescue the State from the gulf of
1IllDE- ldliSm IN WHICH II HIS bGSH pIuISSO,
and thus preserve for themselves and pos
terity unimpaired the priceless blessings
OF free government and civil liberty
You see before you today a committee
OF delegates from that Convention, and for
whom l speak, upon which is represented
each State and Territory, whose duty il is
10 convey to you in formal manner the
notification that the august assembly I
have mentioned. acting for its members,
their constituents, and for all who love
and cherish liberty everywhere, with no
dissenting voice. chose you as the candi-
date for President, and adopted a platform
OF principles upon which the campaign we
are now inaugurating shall be conducted.
The declaration of party principles
enunciated I now have the honor TO pre-
sent 10 you. Here the duties of our COM
E1ittee might with propriety end. but / beg
indulgence for a few moments.
The delegates assembled at Kansas
City did not take hasty action. Their con-
duct was characterized by the greatest
firmness and determination. In the alarm
ing condition in which the country has
been placed by the present weak and va
cillating and un-AmeEican administration
at Washington, they realized, as do our
fellow citizens generally, that a change of
men and policies Is imperiously demanded
They proceeded deliberately and chose
you TO lead in the battle for the restora-
ton of the true political faith
-Four years ago you led the party in
the most brilliant contest it has ever ex-
perienced. You then failed TO win the goal,
the Presidency. but you did more; you won
the respect and admiration of your political
foes, and the ardent love and devotion OF
your followers. That contest was made by
you against stupendous odds, in the face
OF a hostile press. and with unhappy d.
vision IN your ranks.
II congratulate you, and the country,
that all these unfortuitous conditions do
not confront you today. 1t is true you
were then bitterly, sometimes wantonly,
assaIled and when partisan rancor ran
high occasionally coarse things we're said
of you and your party. But you and they
survived them all, and were perhaps
stronger for them. We trust this cam
paign will be pitched on higher plane,
and that it will be conducted in a naGnzr
worthy of the great dignity which attach S
to the two most exalted offices at stake.
No Flaw OF Dishonor
''H is true that you and your party
friends have already been characterized
dishonest and lawless at heIne. and as
towards abroad. I feel sure, however, it
viii stop at this, or, at least, if snlh
hyperbohc flowers of speech are used at all
it will be in rare instance 4, and only then
by some one whose coarse manner before
the public are equaJed only by the rough
ness of his riding habit
During the eventful and exciting cam
paign OF 1886 you were constantly before
the public. The eyes of the nation were
fixed upon you and your utteTanCes as
they never were before Upon public man.
Then, and at all times since, you have
been under a light glaring as the sun
at high noon, yet no flaw OF dishonor or
cowardice is pointed out In your record
by any foe. Review and criticism have
wholly failed to fpjure weaken you in
public esteem And now you are with
absolute unantmity, by every State, Terri
tory, and district in the Union, made the
candidate Of a reunited and harmonious
party. You are by all real Americans re
garded the best exponent of the faith
OF our fathers, which was articIed in the
Declaration Of Independence and sealed by
the blood of patriots. We deny that that
Declaration is a back number.
We solemnly affirm that ty the faithful |
It Is yet Feaerated as the grEndest charter |
Of human rights and human liberty ever
devised by man. The lust Of greed aud !
power breaches contempt fo- its superb |
doctrine but we hold it as the only guild |
ing star by which our ship OF state can be |
safely sailed. We know that it has served |
our purpose well and graciousfy until of 4
late. and gloriousIy until of late, when an
other star. the star of imperialism, has /
been selected as the guide fpr our course I
The platform which I handed you is |
a new Declaration Of Independence. You /
VIII see 1t takes no step backward upon /
any issue or party creed heretofore pro- /
mulgated. 1t solemnIy affirms that the |
question Of Imperialism is the paramount J
issue of this campaign. This declaration
did not make it so, but only gave reeog- |
milton to an admitted fact. The Repu BIZ I
cans have made it the issue which in this
campaign oyertops all others. They may
IL