Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1908-08-21
Epitome Of Bryan's Speech Of
Acceptance.

In his speech of acceptance, Hon.
VIM. J. Bryan made use OF the follow
ing words, which are worth reading:
"Shall the people ruler" Shall the
people control their own governm ent,
and use that government for the pro-
lection of their rights and for the promo
ton of their welfare, or shall the repre-
sentativeS of predatory wealth prey up
on a defenseless public, while the Of
tenders secure immunity from subser-
Went officials whom they raise to pow
er by INSCRIPTIONS methods
In the name of the Democratic par
ty, accept the challenge, and charge
that the Republican party is response
BILE for all the abuses which now exist
in the Federal government, and that it
is impOtent to accomplish the reforms
which are imperatively needed.
Why were these 'known abuses"
permitted to develop? Why have they
not been corrected ? If existing laws
are sufficient, why have they not been
enforced ? All of the executive ma
chinery of the Federal government is in
the hands of the Republican party.
The Democratic party seeks not
revolution, but reformation, and 1 need
hardly remind the student of history
that cures are mildest when applied at
once; that remedies increase in severity
as their application is postponed.
Blood poisoning may be stopped by the
loss of a finger today; it may cost an
arm tomorrow or life the next day.
So poison in the body polite cannot
be removed too soon, for The evils pro-
duced by it increase with the lapse of
time.
The platform Of our party closes with
brief statement of the party's ideal.
1t favors "such an administration Of
the government as will insure, as far as
human wisdom can, that each citizen
shall draw from society Il reward com
mensurate with his contribution to The
welfare of society.
Governments are good in proportion
as they assure to each member of sOci
ETY., SO far as governments can, return
commensurate with individual merit.
There is a divine law of rewards
When the Creator gave US the earth
with its fruitful soil, the sunshine with
: its warmth, and the rains with theil
f moisture. He proclaimed, as clearly
as if His voice had thundered from thu
clouds, "Go work, and according tt
: your industry and your intelligence, Sc
, shall be your reward" Only where
, might has overthrown, cunning un
dermined, or government suspended
, this law has different law prevailed
To conform the government to this law
ought to be the am bition of the states
, man; and no party can have highe
J mission than to make it a reality wher
ever governments can legitimately Op
crate.
; Recognizing that | am indebted 70
my nomination to the rank and file o
: our party, and that my election mus
come, if it comes at all, from the I'm
| purchased and unpurchasable suffrage
f of the American people. / promise,
, intrusted with the responsibilities Q
, this high office, to consecrate whateve
: ability L have to the one purpose G
} making this in fact a government il
which the people rule-a government
which will do Justice to all, and offe
f to every one the highest possibl
stimulus to great and persistent effort
by assuring to each the enjoyment c
his just share of the proceeds of his tot
no matter in what part of the vinegar
, he labors or to what occupation, pre-
fession, or calling he devotes himself.