Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1900-08-14
BRYAyS PLAIN TALK
Discusses Paramount Questions Of
the Democratic Platform.
EVILS OF REPUBLICAN POLICIES.
Rights OF the People IN United states
ana Acquired Territories-Dnn-
gers Of imperialism and Mill
tarism--The True Republic.

In response TO the tender OF the nom
lnation for the presidency by the noti-
fication committee Of the democracy, at
indianapolis, Wednesday, August s,
William J Bryan said;
Mr.. Chairman and Members OF the Noti-
hcatlon Committee. ] 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-
tions 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 to be Of paramount importance
In this campaign
When ] say that the contest OF 1900 s q
contest between democracy on the one hand
and plutocracy on the other, do not mean
TO say that all our opponents have de,ib-
Brately chosen to give to organized wealth
predominating influence in the affairs OF
the government but / do assert that on
the important issues OF the day the repub-
llcan party Is dominated by those influences
which constantly tend to elevate pecuniary
considerations and ignore human rights.
In 1859 Lincoln seid 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
proper relation which should exist between
the two. Man. the handiwork Of God,
comes first; money, the Eandiwork of man.
Is Of Inferior Importance. Man Is the mas
ter, money the servant; but upon all inn
portant questions to-day republican legis-
lation tends to make money the master
and man the servant
The maxim Of Jefferson, equal rights to
all and special privileges to none" and the
doctrine of Lincoln that this should be a
government "of the people. by the people
and for the nppplp o. or 70 kp a rded
and the instrumentaities of government
are being used to advance the interests Of
those who are in a position to secure favors
from the government.
The Desire of Democracy.
The democratic party is not making war
upon the honest acquisition of wealth; IL
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 Ii promises him
protection in the enjoyment of the pro-
ceeds Of his labor. Property rights are
most secure when human rights are re-
spected. Democracy strives for a civiliza-
ton in Which eVefy member 81 society
will sha16 According to his merits.
No one has a right to expect from So
ciety more than fair compensation for
the service which he renders to society
If he secures more, II is at the expense
Of some one else II Is no injustice to him
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 --~-4--rr-gIsss'-f
Republican Excuses.
Against US are arrayed a comparatively
small but politically and financially pow
erful. number who really protit by repub-
lican policies; but with them are associated
a large 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-
alism, 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
lnb off the national debt, are now looking
for reasons to support perpetual and in
creasing debt; republicans who formerly
abhorred a trust, now beguile themselves
with the delusion that there are good trusts
and had 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 a large increase
IN the permanent nlllllGIy eSldDAlSnIltHNs
republicans who gloried in our tndepend-
ence when the nation was less powerful,
now look with favor upon foreign al
lance; republicans who three years ago
condemned 'forcible annexation as inn
moral and even criminal are now sure
that it is both immoral and criminal to
oppose forcibe annexation. That PARTISAN
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 a time republican leaders were in
clned 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
lean war.
Instead of meeting the issue boldly and
submitting a clear and positive plan for
dealing with the Philippine question, the
republican convention adopted platform
the larger part of which was devoted to
boasting and. self-congratulation.
In attempting to press economic ques-
tions 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-
larry 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 a practically unanimous
vote OF the house and senate, entered
upon a 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 war which, In the very
nature Of the case, must soon end In a
complete victory they yied with the re-
publicans in the support which they gave
to the president. When the war was
over and the republican leaders began to
suggest the propriety Of colonial policy
oppostion at once manifested Itself.
When the president finally laid before the
senate a treaty which recognized the in