Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 September 1900 — BRYAN ON THE ISSUES. [ARTICLE]

BRYAN ON THE ISSUES.

Respond* to Notification* by Populist* » and Sllverite*. At Topeka, Kan., William jS Bryan was notified by the National Populist Party and /the National Monetary League of his nomination for President of the United States. The notification took place In the capltol grounds. Following the notification speeches Mr? Bryan delivered his speech of acceptance. There was a vast audience present, ahd he was received with tumultuous applause. He spoke in part as follows: In 1800 the Populists united with the Democrats in opposing the trusts,, although the question nt that time'appeared like a cloud scarcely larger than a man’s hand. To-day that cloud well nigh •overspreads the industrial sky. The farmer does not participate in the profits of any trust, blit he sorely feels rhe burden of them all: He is dependent upon the seasons for his income. When he plants his crop he knows not whether it will be blessed with rain or blighted with drouth; he knows not whether wind will blow it down, or hail destroy it, or insect devour it and the price of his crop is as uncertain as the quantity. If a private monopoly can suspend production and fix the price- of raw material as well as the price of the finished product the farmer, powerless to, protect himself when he sells, is plundered when, he purchases. Can any farmer hesitate to rthrow tb« influAnee of his-ballot upon the side of those ‘who desire to protect the public at large from monopolies? The fact that the trusts support the Republican party ought to be sufficient proof that they expect protection from it. The Republican paiqy cannot be relied upon to extinguish the trusts so long as it draws its campaign contribution from their overflowing vaults. Bryan said the prosperity argument of the Republicans will not deceive the farmer, as “he knows that each month of 1000 show)) a larger number of t'aib tires than in the corresponding months oT 1800, and that there is a marked tendency toward a decrease in the output of factories. ' “He knows, also, that discoveries of gold, famine abroad, and war on three continents have not been able to raise the price of farm products as rapidly as trusts and combinations have raised the price of the things which- the farmer buys," Speaking of Senators being elected by direct vote, Bryan said:. I*l f the 1 usiou forces win a.-victory this fall, we shall see this reform accomplished before the next presidential election, and, with its accomplishment, the people will find it easier to secure any remedial legislation which they may desire.” Bryan said when we were engaged in a contest which was to determine whether we should have one republic or two, questions of finance were lost sight of. He continued: "To-day we are engaged in a controversy which will determine whether we are to have a republic in which the government derives its just powers from the consent of the governed or an empire in which brute force is the only recognized source of |w>wer. It is not strange that the Populists should oppose militarism and imperialism, for both are antagonistic to the principles which Populists apply to other questions. “In the presence of such an rssjre as militarism it is impossible that any Populist should hesitate as to his duty. The policy contemplated by the Republicans nullifies every principle set forth in the declaration of independence. "Our opponents say that the world would laugh at us if we should give independence to the Filipinos. Yes, kings would laugh, aristocrats would laugh, and those would laugh who deny the inalienable rights of men and despise the humbler folks who ‘along the cool sequestered vale of life keep the noiseless tenor of their way:’ but let this nation stand erect and spurning the bribes of wealth and power, show that there is a reality in the principles which wo pro* fess; let it show that there is a difference between a republic and a monarchy and the oppressed in every land will see in our flag the hope of their own deliverance • and. whether they are bleeding upon the battlefield or groaning heneath a tyrant’s lash, will raise their eyes toward heaven and breathe a fervent prayer for the safety of our republic.”