Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-10-06
pRYAs's LETTER TO poruLrsrs.

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BRYAs's LETTER TO PoPULIsTs.
/ We heard a prominent Democrat say
day or two ago that he had recently sat
facing Mr.. Bryan for two hours. and
had come to the conclusion that he had
the finest oountenance lie had ever seen.
His magnetism. too, was wonderful. and
so was his readiness OF speech Put him
upon his feet. and Mr.. Bryan knows no
such word as fail Mr.. Bryan's letter
TO the Populists accepting their nominal
ton for President is marked by that can
dor which oharacterizes the man. 1t
commits him 70 no heresy. and intro
duces no new element into the presiden-
tial campaign. yet IT fully maintains TOT
him the position which he assumed In
the beginning. and asks his supporters
TO commit themselves TO no doctrine
which he has not expounded In some
one or more Of the campaign speeches
which he has made.
Mr.. Bryan begins his letter accepting
the nomination OF the Populists by re-
minding them that they have gone "out-
side OF party lines" to find a candidate.
He commends them for the breadth OF
the patriotism which has actuated the
members Of the Peoples party. Note
that Mr.. Bryan, though he does not
speak OF the Peoples party as party
as patriotic, yet so pronounces the mem
bers of the Peoples party as individuals.
Mr.. Bryan says that during all the
long years from 1873 till now large
majority of the Democratic party and
considerable minority of the Republican
party have been consistent advocates Of
the free coinage Of silver at the present
ratio, and since the organization Of the
Peoples party its members have unani-
mously supported such coinage as the
only means of restoring bimetallism. The
Republican party. on the other hand. is
he says, seeking TO bind the American
people to foreign monetary system.
We have said that Mr.. Bryan reminds
the Populists that they have gone "out-
side Of party lines" for a candidate for
President This reminder will serve as
an answer TO all cavaliers who may be
disposed to charge him with deserving
his cause. On the contrary, he is en-
deavoring to concentrate all the strength
of the Populists upon the Democratic
nominee for President. without asking
him to surrender one single plank of the
Chicago platform.
The Populists are not the only free-
silverltes who are ready 10 join hands
with the Democrats. 1t is to be hoped
Mr.. Bryan says on this point: the
American people have proved equal 10
every emergency which has arisen In
the past. and / am confident that in the
present emergency there will be no an
tagonism between the various regiments
Of the one great army which is marching
to repel an invasion more dangerous 10
our welfare than an army with banners
out of abundant caution. Mr.. Bryan
saws that, in accepting the nomination
of the Peoples party. he does not de
mart from the platform" adopted at Chi
cago. Indeed. he has guarded every
point which anybody might reasonably
consider as exposed He even goes so
far as to credit the Peoples party with
having exerted an important influence
in awakening the people to realization
OF the nations political peril.
Mr.. Bryan says that the Democratic
party will in the election next month re-
ceive the votes Of many free-silver Re-
publicans The number of these is much
larger than the gold-bugs are willing TO
acknowledge, and we have no doubt that
Mr.. Bryan speaks truly on this point
Mr.. Bryan's speeches and his letter OF
acceptance prove him to be a man OF
undoubted courage in a political sense.
He does not fear to express any belief
that he holds. Such a man cannot be de-
feated. The people win stand between
him and all harm.