The Irish standard., 1900-08-11
BRYAN'S PLAIN TALK
Discusses Paramount Questions of
the Democratic Platform.
EVILS OF REPUBLICAN POLICIES.

Rights of the People in United States
and Acquired Territories-Dnn-
gers of Imperialism ana Mill
tarism-The True Republic.
In response to the tender of the nom
ination for the presidency by the mott
fication committee of the democracy, at
indianapolis, Wednesday, August 8,
William j. Bryan said:
Mr.. Chairman and Members of the Motif
fcation Committee: I shall, at an early
day, and in a more formal manner, accept
the nomination which you tender. and I
shall at that time discuss the various ques-
lions covered by the democratic platform.
1t may not be out of place, however, to
submit 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 l say that the contest of 1900 Is a
contest between democracy on the one hand
and plutocracy on the other, do not mean
to say that all our opponents have DELHI
erately chosen to give to organized wealth
q predominating influence in the affairs of
the government. but I do assert that on
Hcan party is dominated by chose influences
which constantly tend to elevate pecunlary
considerations and ignore human rights.
In 1857 Lincoln said that the republican
party believed in the man and the dollar,
but that in case of conflict it 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 handiwork 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
government "of the people, by the people
and for the people," are being dsregarded
and the instrumentalties of government
are being used to advance the interests of
those who are in position to secure favors
from the government.
The Desire of Democracy.
The democratic party is not making war
upon the honest acquisition of wealth; it
has no desire to discourage industry, econ=
omy and thrift. On the contrary, it gives
to every citizen the greatest possible slim
illus TO honest toll, when it 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 civiliza-
ton in which every member of society
will share 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. 1t is at the expense
of some one else. 1t is no injustice to him
to prevent his doing injustice to another
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" ,
Republican Excuses.
Against us are arrayed a comparatively
small. but politically and financially pow
erful. number who really profit by repub-
lican policies: but with them are associated
laige 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-
alisms now try to convince themselves
that t1e,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
Ing off the national debt are now looking
Tor reasons to support a perpetual and in
creasing debt; republicans who formerly
abhorred trust, now beguile themselves
with the delusion that there are good trusts
and bad 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 military establishment;
republicans who gloried in our independ-
ence when the nation was less powerful,
ipn l.
hance; republicans who three years ago
condemned "forcible annexation" as i'm
moral and even criminal, are now sure
that 1t is both immoral and criminal to
oppose forcible 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 time republican leaders were in
clined to deny to opponents the right to
crlticise the Philippine policy of the adj
ministration, but upon investigation they
found that both Lincoln and Clay assert
ed and exercised the right to crticise
president during the progress of the Mex
lean war.
Instead Of meeting the issue boldly and
submitting clear and positive plan for
dealing with the Philippine question, the
republican convention adopted platform
the larger part of which was devoted to
Boosting and decentralization.
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-reaching 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 war with Spain for the purpose of
aiding the struggling patriots of Cuba,
the country, without regard to party, ap-
plauded. Although the democrats recog-
nized that the administration would neces-
sarily gain a political advantage from
nature of the case, must soon end in a
complete victory. they We'd 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 a colonial policy,
opposition at once manifested itself.
When the president finally laid before the
senate a treaty which recognized the in
dependence of Cuba. but provided for the
cession of the Philippine islands to the
United States, the menace of imperialism
became apparent that many preferred
to ratect the treaty and risk the Ills that
I'm ~-I.~