The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-08-09
Richardson Notifies Bryan.

Mr.. Bryan: On the one hundred and
twenty fourth anniversary of the birth
of this republic there assembled in Kan
sas City the most intensely American
convention that ever came together in
it's history. This great body was made
UP of men from every State and terri
tory in the Union. They came from their
respective districts filled with unfeigned
enthusiasm for the inspiring cause which
brought them together. Their seven
million constituents had empowered them
to frame a platform of principles and Sc
lect a candidate for President and Vice
President of the United States in what
they conceived to be the supremest po-
litical crisis that ever came to our coun-
try. These delegates all realized that
the republic is in peril. They felt that
the duty was theirs to take such action
as would rescue the State from the gulf
of imperialism in which it has been
plunged and thus preserve for themselves
and posterity unimpaired the priceless
blessings Of free government and civil
liberty. You see before you today a
committee of delegates from that conven-
ton, and for whom l speak, which
represents each State and territory
whose duty it is to convey to you in for
NAL manner the notification that the
august assembly l have mentioned act
ing for it's members, their constituents,
and for all who love and cherish liberty
everywhere, with no dissenting voice,
chose you as the candidate for President,
and adopted a platform of principles upon
which the campaign we are now inaugu-
rating shall be conducted.
The declaration of party principles
enunciated I now have to honor to pre-
sent to you. Here the duties of our
committee might with propriety end, but
| beg Indulgence for a few moments.
The delegates at Kansas City did not
take hasty action. Their conduct was
characterized by the greatest frmness
and determination. In the alarming con-
dition in which the country has been
placed by the present weak and vacilla-
ting and un-American administration at
Washington they realized, as do our fell
low citizens generally, that a change of
men and policies is imperiously demand
ed. They proceeded deliberately and
chose you to lead in the battle for the
restoration of the true political faith.
Four years ago you led the party in
experienced You then failed to win the
goal, the Presidency, but you did more ;
you won the respect and admiration of
your political foes and the ardent love
and devotion of your followers That
contest was made by you against stu
pendous odds, in the face of hostile
press, and with unhappy division in your
ranks. l congratulate you and the coun-
try that all these unfortunate conditions
do not confront you today. 1t is true you
were then bitterly, sometimes wantonly
assailed, and when partisan rancor ran
high occasionally coarse things were said
of you and your party. But you and they
survived them all, and were perhaps
stronger for them. We trust this cam
paign will be pitched on a higher plane,
and that it will be conducted in a manner
worthy of the great dignity which at
taches to the two most exalted offices
at stake.
A BLOW AT ROOSEVELT.
1t is true that you and your party
friends have already been characterized
as dishonest and lawless at home. and
as towards abroad l feel sure, however,
it will stop at this, or, at least, if such
hyperbolic flowers of speech are used at
alfl, it will be in rare instances, and
only then by some one whose coarse
manners before the public are equalled
only by the roughness of his riding
habit.
During the eventful and exciting cam
paign of 1896 you were constantly be-
fore the public. The eyes of the nation
fivad
as they were never before upon a public
man. Then and in all times since, you
have been under a light as glaring as the
sun at high noon, yet no flaw of dishonor
or cowardice is pointed out in your re-
cord by any foe. Review and criticism
have wholly failed to injure or weaken
you in public esteem. And now you are,
with absolute unanimity, by every State,
territory and district in the Union, made
the candidate of reunited and harmoni-
Gus party You are by all real Ameri-
cans regarded as the best exponent of
the faith of our fathers, which was arti-
cled in the Declaration of independence
and sealed by the blood of patriots We
deny that that Declaration is back
number. We solemnly affirm that, by
the faithful it is yet venerated as the
grandest charter of human rights and
human liberty ever devised by man. The
lust of greed and power breaches con-
tempt for its superb doctrine, but we
hold it as the only guiding star by which
our Ship of State can be safely sailed.
We know that it has served our purpose
we'll and gloriously until of late when
another star, the star of Imperialism, has
been selected as the guide of our course.
IMPERIALISM THE ISSUE.
The platform which / handed you is
new Declaration of independence. You
will see it takes no step backward upon
any issue or party creed heretofore pro-
mulgated. 1t solemnly affrms that the