The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-13
SPEECH OF WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN IN WHICH HE
ACCEPTS THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT

| S1ve to the Will OF A majority of the
members, but has come under the an
sOiUte domination of the speaker. who
has entire control of its deliberations
and powers of legislation.
We have observed with amaze.
ment the popular branch Of our fed
eral government helpless to obtain
either the consideration or enactment
Of measures desired by a majority OF
its members"
This arrangement Is fully justified
The reform republicans in the house
Of representatives when in the minor
Ity in their own party. are as hPIn-
less to obtain q hearing or 20 secure
vote upon a measure as are the dem
OcTats. IL the recent session Of the
present congress. there was a cousid-
cradle element in the republican party
favorable TO remedial legislation: but
few leaders. in control of the organ
iZatiOn .deSpOtically suppressed these
members. and thus forced a real ma
JoTfty in the house to submit to a we'll
organized minority. The republican
national convention. instead of rebuk-
ing this attack upon popular govern
ment. eulOgized congress and nominal
ed as the republican candidate for
vice president one of the men who
IL
coercion of the house Our party de-
manjs that the house Of representa-
tives shall again become a deIihera-
tive body controlled by a majority OF
the peoples representatives.. and not
by the speaker" and is pledged TO
adopt such rules and regulations to
govern the house Of representative
as will enable a majority of its men,
beers to direct its deliberations and
control legislation
Shall the people rule?" They can
not do so unless they can control the
house Of representatives, and through
their representatives in the house.
give expression TO their purposes ana
their desires. The republican party
is committed to the methods now in
vogue in the house of Representatives
the democratic party is pledged TO
such a revision of the rules as will
bring the popular branch of the fed
eral government into harmony with
the ideas of those who framed our
constitution and founded our govern
ment.
Other Issues Will Be Discussed
Later-''Shan the people rUle2'' l re
peat, Is declared by our platform to be
the oversnadowing question. and as
the campaign progresses, shall take
d =
II manifests itself in other issues. for
whether we consider the tariff ques-
ton, the trust question, the railroad
question, the banking question. the
labor question. the question of imDe-
Tialism, the development of our wa
terways, or any other Of the nUner-
Gus ploblems which press for solution
we shall find that the real question in
volved in each is, whether the gov
eminent snail remain a mere brs1-
ness asset of favor seeking corpora
lions or be an instrument in the
hands of the people for the advance
ment OF the common veal.
Democratic Party Has Earned Con-
hdence-If the voters are satisfied
with the record of the republican par
ty and with its management OF pub
lie affairs we can not reasonably ask
for change in administration If, |
however, the voters feel that the Deo-
pie, as a whole. have too little infiu- |
ence in shaping the policies Of the
government; If they feel that great |
combinations of capital have encrOaCh- |
Ell upon the rights of the masses, and |
employed the instTUmentslities of gov
eminent to secure an unfair share OF /
the total wealth produced, then we /
have a right TO expect a verdict /
favor of the democratic party; for our |
party mas risked defeat-aye. suffered /
defeat-in its effort to arouse the con |
science of the public and to bring
about that very awakening to which 4
Mr. Taft has referred
Only those are worthy TO be en- |
trusted with leadership in great |
cause who are willing to die for il, |
and the democratic party has proven 1
its wOFthiness by its refusal 10 pur- /
chase victory by delivering the people /
into the hands of those who have de /
spoiled them. In this contest between /
democracy on the one side and pIutOc- /
raCy on the other, the democratic par
ty has taken its position on The side
of equal rights. and invites the oDDo-
sition of those who use politics to Sc
cure special privileges and govern
mental favOritism. Guaging he prog
ress of the nation. not nv the happi-
ness or wealth or refinement Of 4 Few.
but by the prosperity and advance
ment of the average man. the demo
cratic party charges the republican
party with being the promoter or
present abuses. the opponent of neces-
sary remedies and the only buIwark
Of private monopoly The democratic
party affirms that in this campaign
It Is the only party having a prospect |
Of success, which stands for Justice
in government and for equity in the
division OF the fruits Of Industry
Democratic Party Defender OF Hon
est Wesith-Ne may exDeCt those
who have committed larceny bv law
and purchased immunity with their
political influence 20 attempt to raise
false issues, and to employ the livery
Or heaven TO conceal their evil DUR (