Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-24
BRYAN ACCEPTS
CONTINUED from page ~

| desire to give emphatic recognition
to the educational work done by your
party. The Populist party, as an or
ganization, and the farmer alliances
and the labor organizations from which
they sprung, have done much to arouse
the people to a study of economic and
industrial questions. Believing as
do that truth grows not in seclusion
but in the open field and that il thriVes
best in the sunlight Of full and free de-
bate, | have confidence that the dis
cussion which your party has compelled
will aid in reaching that true solution
of pending problems toward which all
honest citizens aim.
II desire also TO express my deep APP
probation of the liberality Of opinion
and devotion of principle which have
led the members of your party 90 enter
the ranks of another party in the selec-
ton OF candidate.
While | am grateful for the conf
dence which the Populists have eX-
pressed in me- | am not vain enough to
regard as personal their extraordinary
manifestations Of good Will. The ties
which bind together those who believe
in the same great fundamental princi-
pies are stronger than ties Of affection
stronger even than the ties Of blood
and cooperation between the reform
forces is due to the fact that Demo
Gratis. Popullsts and Silver Republicans
take the side OF the people In their con-
test against greed and agree in the ap-
plicatiOn Of Jeffersonian principles to
the question Immediately before US.
In 1896 the money question was Of
paramount Importance, and the allies
in that campaign united in the demand
for the immediate reservation OF silver
by the independent action " This coun-
Try Al Is 70 |. the ratio which had cx-
listed since 1894. They were defeated.
but that did not end the discussion
The Democrats were defeated in 1855.
but that did not put an end to tarin
reform. The Republicans were defeat
ed in 1892. but that did not permanently
overthrow the protective tariff De-
feat at the polls does not necessarily
decide great problem. Experience
and experience alone settle questions.
II an increase in the volume Of the cur
rency since 1895. although unpromised
by the Republicans, and unexpected.
has brought Improvement in induslri-
al conditions. this Improvement. in
stead ~ answering the arguments put
forth IN favor of blmetallism. only
confirms the contention Of those who
insist that more money would MAKE
better times
The Republican party. while claim
ing credit for the increase III cirrull-
tion. makes no permanent provision Tor
an adequate supply uf standard mon
ey. 1t denies the necessity for more real
money. while il permits national banks
to expand the volume ~ paper prom.s-
IS to pay money.
IF the POpulists feel justified IN on
posing the Republican party when !,
sought to conceal its gold standard
tendencies under the mask Of hi-mrtal-
lism, the opposition should W. motc
pronounced in proportion as the Re
publican party more openly espouses
gold monometallism.
In 1896 the reform forces charged
the Republican party with intending III
retire the greenbacks. This charge
denied at the time has been confessed
by the financial bill. If a Populst OPP
posed the Republican party when its
hostility 10 grecnbacks was only sus-
pected. that opposition should be great
or now. since no one can longer doubt !
the purpose of the Republican party t. |
substitute bank notes for greenbacks
The vital question at this time. 81
far as paper money is concerned. Is
the government or banks |
shall issue il. The Republican party |
IS now committed TO a currency system |
which neccssitates a perpetual debt.
n Ly /,
agreement with the Democrats. who |
believe in paying off the national debt |
as rapidly as possible.
our opponents have tried to make ii |
appear that We are inconsistent when We |
demand a general rise in prices and yet |
oppose an arbitrary rise in protected !
or trust-made goods. There |
5 no conflict whatever between these ,wo |
propositions
IF general rise in prices occurs be- |
'ause Of a permanent increase in the VOL |
Ime or the money. all things adjust |
themselves to the new level and if the |
volume of money then increases in pro- |
portion to the demand for money the !
price level decreases and business can be |
lone with fairness TO all If. however. |
he price is arbitrary and only affects a |
part or the products of labor, those whose |
products do not participate in the rise |
suffer because the purchasing power Of |
heir income is decreased. If a bad mon |
-tdry system drags down the price of the |
armers products, while monupOies raise |
he price OF what he buys he burns the
'andlc at both ends ana must expect to
uffer in comparison with those who be-
ong to the classes more favored by leg
Station.
1t is sometimes urged by partisan Pop
lists that four years more Of Republi-
an misrule would so aggravate economic
Conditions as 10 make reforms easier No
ne can afford to aid in making matters |
worse in the hope of being able to make |
hem better afterwards. for in SO doing
le assumes responsibilities which he NAV |
lot be able to remedy. No Populist how
Yer sanguine. believes it possible to
ect a PopuliSt President at this tlme
'ut the Populist party may be able to de
ermine whether Il Democrat or a Re
publican will be elected. Mr.. Chairman
ne POpulist convention. which your CON-
nittee represents. thought it better to
hare with the Democrats in the honor
1 securing some of the reforms desired
y Your party than to bear the odium of
emaining neutral in this great crisis OF
I giving open or secret aid to the Re |
ublican party, which opposes all reforms
1r which the Populists contend
Those VINO labor to improve the condi-
ons which surround their fellow men
re apt to become impatient; but they | l
lust remember that il takes time to | j
'ork out great reforms. Let me illus
ate by calling your attention to the :
ow growth Of public opinion in support | I
/ proposition to which there has heen /
n lon Ma ANr, CT ;t,,,