New-York tribune., 1896-10-20
NEW.JERSEY NEWS.
MADOO FORSAKES BRYAN.
ANOTHER PROMINENT DEMOCRATIC OF
FIcIAL WHO CANNOT STAND THE
CHICAGO PLATFORM

HE CHARAcTERIzEs ITS DOCTRINES AS UNsorND
AND DANGEROUS AND A GREAT DEPARTURE
FROM THE CONSERVATISM OF THE DE
MOcRACY A RINGING REBUKE
FOR RADICAL REFoRMERs.
William j. Curtis a member OF the National Demo-
cratic Committee OF New-Jersey, and who was one
Of the leaders Of the Sound Money movement in the
State. has received the following letter from AS
sstant Secretary Of the Navy McAdoo;
Lakewood. October Is. 1896.
"My Dear Mr. Curtis: | am in receipt OF your
letter. and also those OF other friends in New-Jersey
asking my views on the questions involved in this
election. and requesting a public expression OF the
The issues at stake are too momentous not 10
concern every citizen. and | would consider myself
unworthy the friendship and respect OF those who
have hitherto honored me in this regard il ] were
guilty OF either evasion or silence.
"The great questions depending on this election are
above all partisan and personal considerations and
concern the maintenance of our institutions and the
honor OF our country.
personally 1t Is with deep regre; that find myself
differing with some of my friends. and for the hrst
time in my life unable TO support the platform and
nominees Of a convention held under the auspices Of
the Democratic party. Ii would he poor rcqu.tal
for the honors given me by my former constituents
in New-Jersoy II should fail in this crisis 20 speak
them with candor and sincerity on matters SO vial
their interests, at the RISK OF Offending Oh
them a;her :han assume cowardy acqu.escence In
a policy which | heartily and sincerely believe Is
fraugh, with danger and disaster TO the interests OF
the pecp.e and ominously overshadowci with peril
TO the Nation.
Il am opposed TO the Platform ana unable TO sup
port the ticket nominated at Chicago because am
thoroughly convinced that the doctrines therein set
forth are unsound and dangerous ana would NJrk
incacUlablc injury 10 the who'll prOpe Of the Rcpub-
lie. being. from political and economic point 81
view. extremely radical. II NOT revolutionary. fierce
win the neat OF renewed seciionalism ana savage
with bitterness o. class distinctions hitherto un-
known 10 ih.s and aappier hemisphere.
AS representative IN Congress mad the priv
icge OF speaking and VOTING On several OCCASIONS
against the isee coinage Of si.ver one OF the more
OOJcctioE4o features the Cn.cago platform. ana
nave nand no new argument In rs favor since ih,il
l.uttd cdrcIui reading oi the Dest thdt can
be sad Tor :; sIens thens my CONVICTION as 10 IT.
1t is an acknowledged and known fact that those
great reforms wnich 50 ADVANCED democracy III
England were driven back and delayed for many
years Dy the eXccsscs or the French RcyOluuoiL
rae fei. II vio.ent and unnatural remedies - the
bes, shield of abuses: the Dcsl way - make i.-
form odious is tinse II with the red hucs Of the
menace of reckless radical.sn. 70 prevent here,
after the undue rea ,tlon against wholesome and
legitimate criticism 0. Government. II Is necessary
II reject. with an emphasis approdc ming unani'nhy
the extreme and sweeping Innovations proposed az
Chicago In its whole history the Democratic party
has g!orihed In Its conseivatsm aLo IN the period
folloa,nS the Civll War II won the allegiance Of
vast numbers OF young then coming o. age by
It's consistent opposition TO all radical tendencies
indeed. In iis o.hcial appeal 10 voters In NewJer-
sey ana Newly ork Il has called Itself the Demo
cratic Conservative party. From this attitude TO
that of the Convention at Chicago. which found
nothing worthy OF conservation, Is indeed "A long
distarce.
Il yield 10 no one in my belief In the majesty and
Independence OF this great country. It's imperial
place among the powerful nations: lis duty 10 as
scrt It's rights and maintain It's honor IN all lands
and AL seas. but cannot be convinced that the
best way 10 make II OmnlpOtcnt against the world
II not as proposed against natur" Itself, is 10
1 tpa Nh rlf
dscrcdit its Institutions. and impair It's business
integrity. In contest such as this, party assoca-
tons personal friendships and interests. and even
family ties cannot be allowed to interposc between
us and primary duty TO stand Icy the Republic
the best hope OF humanity, 10 keep unmpdircd
sacred and honored IT'S institutions and It's flag
Very sincerely yours, WILLIAM M'ADOO."