The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-09-23
ii,c Party LASH.

1t Is to the credit of Mr.. Bryan shat
h, has neither offered nor encouraged
violence to those former adhorents OF
Democracy who this year, after non
est reflection, ind themselves unable to
indur;c the Chicago platform. his
treatment of such voters, of whom
there ought TO be u good many In
l.acka aaLna county, is manly and
open. 1t Is IN conspicuous contrast
with the abusive policy pursued by the
Scranton Times and other Popocratic
organs that seem 10 think it criminal
orfense for Il citizen to have the cour-
age of his sincere convictions.
Speaking recently at Louisville upon
this subject MIR. Bryan said: Il en-
pregsly release, so far as l am con-
cerncd. from the support Of the Chl-
cago ticket, every Democrat who be-
levos that the success of that ticket
would impcril our country. ! shall ask
no false fealty to party above love for
country I would not do 1t myself. I
will ask nobody to do what | would
rot do. ! geek no votes under false
protcnses. | want your suffrages un-
der no condition whereby you may be
deceived"
This is fair and abovo-board. 1T is q
voluntary release, from the highest
present authority within the Democrat
ic ranks of every man who, while hold
ing opinions antagonistic to the Chicago
platform, yet feels tempted through
memory of past party affiliations
Ia remain on terms of nominal allesi-
aEcc to the present Democratic nomi-
nee. 1t can be accepted with entire
propriety in the same diGnlilcd man
nor in which it is given, and the ac-
ceutance Cf it need not be regarded
hereafter as any cause for apology
81 shall" Mr.. Bryan says, "ask no
false fealty to party above love Of
country. | would not do it myself"
In other words, If the Democratic plat
form had declared for gold Mr.. Bryan,
holding dametrically opposite cOnvic-
tons. would have been the iiIst 10 re-
pudiate and disavow that platform and
NCulu nave Iclustu W iiStel w opPSoiS
pr his suffrage based on the c0mpro-
missing doctrine of party regularity.
We dwell at some length on this cita-
tion from Mr.. Bryan's speech because
we know that strong efforts are being
made, not only throughout the country
generally, but also In this immediate
community, to whip into line for Bry-
an, free trade and free silver. DEM
ocrats whose convictions are directly
opposed 10 these doctrines The plea
is being made before them that to
permit sincere convictions to interrupt
past party affiliations Is to commit an
act of treason to the party, and coupled
, with 1t in some cases is the threat that
the party whip will In future be raised
to avcngc such alleged betrayal. Upon
the eve of Mr.. Bryan's visit to this
city we consider 1t an act OF justice to
him as well as to them to let these
former Democrats know that the free
silver candidate explicitly denounces
aud repudiates such tactics. and asks
only for votes that proceed directly
from the voters free will.
Knowing as we do that there are
hundreds OF Democrats in this county
who do not subscribe to thc doctrines
embodied in Mir. Bryan's platform, we
call Upon them to give heed to his
words and feel free to act accordingly
The probabilities are that John i'ards-
Iey's health will improve in regular
patent medicine fashion.