The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1900-08-10
DRYAN'S PLAIN TALK
Discusses Paramount Questions Of
the Democratic Platform.
EVILS OF REPUBLICAN POLICIES.
Rights of the People In United States
and Acquired Terrftories-Dsn-
gers of Impe riaIism and Mill
tari.m-The True Republic.

In response TO the tender of the nom
nation for the presidency by the noti-
fcation CON mittee of the democracy at
indianapolis. Wednesday, August s.
William J. Bryan said:
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Mott
heation Committee: 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-
lions covered by the democratic platform.
II 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 10 be OF paramount importance
IN this campaign.
When ! 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
eratsiy chosen 10 give to organized wealth
a predominating influence in the affairs OF
the government. but | do assert that on
the important issues of the day the repub-
Hcan 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.
but that in case of conflict II believed in
the man before the dollar. This Is the
"
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 legis-
Iation tends to make money the master
and man the servant.
The maxim of Jefferson. equal rights to
all and special privileges to nome 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 instrumentalities of government
are being used TO advance the interests OF
those who are in position to secure favors
from the government
The Desire of Democracy.
The democratic party is not making war
upon the honest acquisition of wealth; 1t
has no desire to discourage industry, econ
omy and thrift. On the contrary. il gives
to every citizen the greatest possible slim
ulus to honest toll, when 1t promises him
protection in the enjoyment OF the pro-
eeeds of his labor Property rights are
most secure when human rights are re-
spected. Democracy strives for eiviliza-
ton In which every member of society
will share according TO his merits
No one has right to expect from So
eiety more than fair compensation for
the service which he renders to society.
IL he secures more, IL Is at the expense
of some one else. II is no injustice TO him
10 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-
Int wit fInr,, "a
aiarge 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-
slism. now try to convince themselves
that the gold standard is good republicans
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 OFF the national debt. are now looking
Tor reasons to support perpetual ard in
creasing debt, republicans who formerly
abhorred a trust. now beguie 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 large increase
IN the permanent military establishment;
republicans who gloried in our independ-
ence when the nation was less powerful
now look with favor upon a foreign all
lance; republicans who three years ago
condemned 'forcible annexation as i'm
moral and even criminal, are now sure
that II is both immoral and criminal to
oppose forctble annexation. That par tisan-
ship has already blinded many TO present
dangers Is certain: how large a portion
OF the republican party can be drawn over
to the new policies remains to be seen.
For time republican leaders were in
slined to deny to opponents the right to
criticise the Philippine policy of the ad-
ministration, 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
team war.
Instead Of meeting the issue boldly and
submitting clear and positive plan for
dealing with the Philippine question, the
republican convention adopted platform
the larger part of which was devoted to
Boosting and decentralization
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-
tAry considerations.
No Evasion.
But they shall not be permitted to evade
the stupendous and far-reachng 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, APP
plauded. 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 a
complete victory. they Wed with the re-
publicans in the support which they gave
10 the president When the war was
over and the republican leaders began to
suggest the propriety of colonial policy
opposition at once manifested itself
When the president finally laid before the
senate a treaty which recognized the in
dependence of Cuba. but provided for the
session of the Philippine islands to the
United States. the menace of imperialism
became apparent that many preferred
10 reject the treaty and risk the ills that
might follow rather than take the chance
Of correcting the errors OF the treaty by