The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-09-21
FIGHT AGAINST TRUSTS
How Democracy Is Again Showing
Itself the Peoples Friend.
NO WAR ON HONEST WEALTH

Republican Party Lacks Either the
Desire or the Ability to Deal with
the Question Enectiveiy"-A
Magnificent Paper.
Chicago, Sept. 1s.-The letter of w. J
Bryan, accepting the Democratic nom
ination for president, was given ou
today, and is as follows:
Lincoln, Neb., September II.
Hon. James d. Richardson, chairman
and others of the notification commit
tee of the Democratic national conven'
ton
Gentlemen: In accepting the nomina'
tion rendered by you on behalf of the
Democratic party, / beg to assure yo
of my appreciation of the great honor
conferred upon me by the delegates In
convention assembled, and by the voters
who gave instruction to the delegates.
l am sensible of the responsibilities
which rest upon the chief magistrate
Of so great a nation, and realize the
far-reaching effect of the questions in
volved in the present contest.
PLEDGE MADE IN 1896.
In my letter of acceptance of 1896
made the following pledge:
$50 deeply am l impressed with the
magnitude of the power vested by the
Constitution in the chief executive of
the nation and with the enormous in
huence which he can yield for the bene-
ft or injury of the people, that wish
10 enter the office, If elected, free from
any personal desire except the desire
TO prove worthy CT the confidence of my
countrymen. Human judgment is fall
lible enough when unbiased by selfish
considerations, and, in order that may
not be tempted to use the patronage of
the office to advance any personal am
bitfon, / hereby announce, with all the
emphasis which words can express, my
fixed determination not, under any cir
cumstances, to be a candidate for re-
election, in case this campaign results
in my election"
, Further reflection and observation
constrain me to renew this pledge.
The platform adopted at Kansas City
commands my cordial and unqualified
approval 1t courageously meets the
issues now before the country, and
states clearly and without ambiguity til =
sidered. Adopted by convention
which assembled on the anniversary Of
the signing of the Declaration of In
dependence, it breathes the spirit OF
eandor, independence and patriotism
which characterized thosewho, at Phila-
deIphia, in 1776, promulgated the creed
of the republic.
Having in my notification speech, dis
cused, somewhat at length, the para
mount issue, Imperialism. and added
some observations on militarism and the
Boer war, it is sufficient at this time to
review the remaining planks of the plat
form.
TRUSTS.
The platform very properly gives
prominence to the trust question. The
appalling growth of combinations in
restraint of trade during the present
administration proves conclusively that
the Republican party lacks either the
desire or the ability to deal with the
question effectively. If as may be fairly
assumed from the speeches and conduct
of the Republican leaders, that party
does not intend to take the peoples
side against these organizations, then
LNe weak anu
of trusts to be found in the Republican
platform Is designed to distract atten-
zion while Industrial despotism Is COM
pleting its work. A private monopoly
has always been an outlaw. No defense
can be made of an industrial system In
which one, or a few men, can con-
troll for their own profit, the output OF
price of any article of merchandise. Un'
der such a system the consumer sut'
fers extortion, the producer OF raw
material has but one purchaser anc
must sell at the arbitrary price fixed
the Iaborer has but one employer, AM
is poweress to protest against in1us
tice. either In wages or In conditions Of
labor; the small stockholder is at tht
mercy of the speculator, while th'
travelling salesman contributes MI
salary to the overgrown profits OF th'
trust. Since but a small proportion O.
the people can share in the advantages
secured by private monopoly, 1t follows
that the remainder of the people ar
not only excluded from the benefits, bu
are the helpless victims Of every mon
opoiy organized 1t Is difficult to over
estimate the immediate injustice tina
NAV be done, or to calculate the ulti
mate effect of this injustice upon tn
social and political welfare OF the peo
pie.
PLEDGES AGAINST TRUSTS.
Our platform, after suggesting certat'
specific remedies, pledges the party Z
an unceasing warfare against priva'
monopoly in nation. state, and city.
heartily approve of this promise l
elected, It shall be my earnest and con
slant endeavor to fulfill the promise Il
Bester and spirit. shall select and at
torney general who will. without fea
or favor, enforce existing laws; ! shal
recommend such additional Legislation
a may be necessary to dissolve ever
private monopoly which does busines
outside of the state OF its origin; ana, !
eontrary 10 my belief and hope. q con
afifuxiouai amendmant y found to D.
osecncoPv, spall recommend such q