Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-09-05
BRYAN ON THE ISSUES.
Responds to Notifications by Populist
and Silyerites.

ACoROuuo " INOtAhGdIIOuo ny FOpull0t0
and Si1verites.
At Topeka, Kan, William ]. Bryan
was notified by the National Popullst
Party and the National Monetary
League Of his nomination for President
of the United States. The notification
took place in the capitol grounds. Fol-
lowing the notification speeches Mr..
Bryan delivered his speech of accept
ance. There was vast audience pres
ent, and he was received with tumultu-
GUS applause. He spoke in part as
follows:
In 1896 the Populists united with the
Democrats in opposing the trusts, al
though the question at that time appear
ed like cloud scarcely larger than a
mans hand. To-day that cloud well nigh
overspreads the industrial sky. The
farmer does not participate in the profits
of any trust, but he sorely feels the bur-
den of them all. He is dependent upon
the seasons for his income. When he
plants his crop he knows not whether it
will be blessed with rain or blighted with
drouth; he knows not whether wind will
blow it down, or hail destroy it, or in
sect devour it and the price of his crop
is as uncertain as the quantity. If
private monopoly can suspend production
and fix the price of raw material as well
as the price of the finished product the
farmer, powerless to protect himself
when he sells is plundered when he pur-
chases. Can any farmer hesitate to
throw the influence of his ballot upon the
side of Nose who desire to protect the
public at large from monopolies?
The fact that the trusts support the
Republican party ought to be sufficient
proof that they expect protection from
it. The Republican party cannot be re-
lied upon to extinguish the trusts so long
as it draws its campaign contribution
from their overlooking vaults.
Bryan said the prosperity argument Of
the Republicans will not deceive the
farmer, us 'he knows that each month
of 1900 shows larger number of fail
ures than in the corresponding months Of
1893, and that there is marked tenden-
cy toward a decrease in the output Of
factories.
He knows, also, that discoveries of
gold, famine abroad and war on three
continents have not been able to raise
the price of farm products as rapidly as
trusts and combinations have raised the
price of the things which the farmer
buys"
Speaking of Senators being elected by
direct vote, Bryan said:
"If the fusion forces win victory this
fall, we shhll see this reform accomplish
ed before the next presidential election,
and, with its accomplishment, the people
will Gt1.l II
legislation which they may desire"
Bryan said when we were engaged in
contest which was to determine whether
we should have one republic or two,
questions of finance were lost sight of.
He continues:
To-day we are engaged in a contro-
versy which will determine whether we
are to have republic in which the gov
eminent derives its just powers from the
consent of the governed or an empire in
which brute force is the only recognized
source of power. 1t is not strange that
the Populists should oppose militarism
and imperialism, for both are antagonis-
tic to the principles which Populists APP
ply to other questions.
"1n the presence of such an issue as
militarism it is impossible that any Pop
ulist should hesitate rs to his duty. The
policy contemplated by the Republicans
nullifies every principle set forth in the
declaration of independence.
"Our opponents say that the world
would laugh at us if we should give indie
pendence to the Filipinos. Yes, kings
would laugh, aristocrats would laugh,
and those would laugh who deny the in
alenable rights of men and despise the
humber folks who along the cool Sc
questered vale of life keep the noseless
tenor of their way but let this nation
stand erect and spurning the bribes of
/ wealth and power, show That there is
reality in the principles which we pro-
fess; let it show that there is difference
between republic and monarchy and
the oppressed in every land will see in
our flag the hope of.their own deliverance
and whether they are bleeding upon the
battlefield or grooming beneath tyrants
lash, will raise their eyes toward heaven
and breathe fervent prayer for the
safety of our republic"