The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-09
MIR. STEVENSON'S RESPONSE.
He Discusses Some Points Not Mem
toned by Mr.. Bryan.


national Democratic convention, as its cam
didate for the high office of Vice President
of the United States. For the compliment
tary manner in which such action has been
officially made known to me. 1 express to
you. Mr.. Chairman, and to your honored
associates of the committee, my sincere
thanks.
Deeply impressed with a sense of the re-
sponsibility assumed by such candidacy, L
accept the nomination so generously ten
dered me. Should the action of the con-
ventfon meet the approval of the people in
November, IL will be my earnest endeavor
to discharge with fidelity the duties of the
great office.
1t is wisely provided by the Constitution
that, at stated times, political power shall
return to the hands OF the people. The
struggle for political supremacy, upon
which we are now entering, is one of deep
moment TO the American people. It's SUI
preme Importance to all conditions OF our
countrymen cannot be measured by words.
The ills resulting from unjust legislation,
government must find their remedy in the
all-potent ballot. To it, We now make our
solemn appeal.
The chief purpose OF the great convention
whose representatives are before me was
redress for existing wrongs and security
against perils yet greater which menace
popular government. Your convention, in
sented the vital issues upon which the
pending contest is TO be determined. To
its platform give my earnest assent
Clearly and unequivocally the Democratic
convention has expressed its sympathy
with the burghers of the South African re-
publics in their heroic attempts TO maintain
free government. In this the convention
not only voiced the sentiments of American
Democrats, but of liberty-loving men ev-
erywhere. 1t is not strange that those who
have kept the political faith of the author
of the Declaration of Independence should
express their adherence at the effort OF a
great European power to subjugate peo-
pie whose only crime is a death struggle to
maintain their Liberties. The earnest ut
terances of the convention, that our SYM
pathies are with the Beers in their unequal
struggle, meets a hearty response from all
who venerate the principles of our fathers.
Is 1t not true that in all the past a belief
in the inalienable rights of all peoples has
been with us a living faith-that our SYM
pathy has ever been with the oppressed,
with those who are struggling for larger
measure of freedom-for seH-government?
For this reason our government was among
the first to extend recognition to the re-
publics of France and Mexico, prompt to
extend our sympathy, as well as official
recognition, to the little South American
states on their escape from the despotism
of Spain, and for their efforts to establish
for themselves representative governments,
fashioned after our own. History has but
repeated itself, and the struggle to main
tain free governmental century and a
quarter after the PRONUNCIATION of the Dec
laration OF Independence-haS been trans
ferred from the new world TO the old. Is
1T to be wondered, then, that the political
disciples of Jefferson should express their
sympathy with the oppressed republics of
South Africa? Only those who believe that
our own country has outgrown the doc
trines of the fathers are in sympathy with
England's attempt to establish monarchy
upon the ruins OF republics.
LAVISH APPROPRIATIONS.
The lavish appropriations by the present
Republican Congress should challenge the
attention of all thoughtful men. Subsidy
bills and all unnecessary taxes are con-
demned by our platform. The accumula-
ton of surplus revenues is too often the
pretext for wasteful appropriations of the
public money. The millions of surplus now
accommodating in the treasury should re-
main in the pockets of the people. To this
end the Democratic party demands a re-
duc4jon of war taxes to the actual needs of
the government, and return to the policy
of strict economy in all governmental eX-
penditmes.
In apt words the Dingley tariff law is
condemned. Ii Is tersely characterized as
legislation skillfully devised in the inter
est of a class, and TO impose upon the many
burdens which they should not bear. Adj
herring TO the time-honored doctrine of the
Democratic party We oppose all tariff
legislation the necessary consequence of
which is at the expense of the consumer,
to secure unjust advantage to the favored
few. Experience has demonstrated that
unjust tariff laws have deprived the gov
eminent of needed revenues. secured to
favored beneficiarieS colossal fortunes, and
largely increased to the people the cost of
| the necessaries of life. The balefuI but
logical result of the tariff law condemned
by our platform, is seen in the sudden
srowth of giant monopolies, combinations
| in restraint of lawful trade and trusts
more threatening than foreign foe to the
| existence of popular government. Believing
| that wherever there is a wrong, there
| party will favor such legislation as will
/ curb the spirit of monopoly and place an
effective barrier against the unlawful COM
| binations of capital which now prove an
| insuperable obstacle TO legitimate enter
| prise and investment. The deadly power of
| the trust is felt i'm all channels of trade.
| This Is but the beginning. Is it too much
4 to say, that unless restrained by wholesome
| laws, wisely and efficiently administered.
the danger becomes appalling? Fostered by
| the Dingley tariff law. the trusts during
the present Republican administration.
have enormously Increased in number and
| in power. A determined effort for their
| suppression must now be made. Delay
| would still further endanger every lawful
/ business interest of the country. The i'm
| perauve necessity for a remedy being con-
coded. the question arises: Into whose
| hands snail be committed the work OF
| formulating laws looking to the suppress
| sion Of trusts? To whom shall be intrusted
| the execution OF such laws? Shall 1t be the
| victims or the beneficiaries of the over
| shadowing evil? III TO the latter, then a
| further lease of power TO the present adj
/ ministration Is all that is needed. Can any
| sane man believe that the trust evil is one
| that will cure itself, or that its destruction
] will be compassed by those TO whom ii has
| brought princely fortunes? If so. let him
| point TO a single honest attempt OF Re-
| publican officials 10 enforce the law now
| upon the statute book against the moss
| stupendous commercial evil known 10 any
/ period OF our history. The Democratic
| party stands pledged TO an unceasing war
| fare against private monopoly in
/ every form. Ii demands the
1 enforcement of existing laws against trust:
1 and the enactment OF laws vet more string
| ent. IL wisely demands publicity as To tn,
| affairs OF corporations engaged in inter
state commerce. As one means to tn,
| important end of curtailing the power o.
/ trusts. we favor such amendments of oul
/ tariff laws as Will place the products o.
| trusts upon the free list. and thereby pre-
| vent monopoly under the plea of protec
ton. During almost four years OF abso
| lutte Republican control OF all department.
| of the government the trust evil has grown
10 its present overshadowing proportions
What finger has been lifted for Its sup