Evening journal., 1897-09-28
THEALLEGEDLETTER
What Mr.. Bryan Has to Say In
It to New York Democrats
CIVIC RULE MUST BE PARTISAN.
Terms Government by the Cits a Vicious
Heresy Assailing Political Progress,
and Says That Victory For Them
Would Be a Great Calamity.


NEW YORK, Sept. 2s-The full text
of the letter which Mr.. Bryan is said
TO have written on the coming mayor
atty contest in this city is as follows:
A triumph OF the Democracy of
Greater New York except under the
auspices of the issue that animates the
party will have the same moral effect
as a renewed and affirmed triumph of
the agencies led by Senator Hanna.
When parties cease to represent GER
tain fixed principles, the supreme pre-
rogative of the ballot becomes prosti-
tuted to a contest between organizations
for the spoils of office and the enjoyment
of success. To this prostitution of the
ballot may be ascribed every chapter
of shame and corruption in the history
of American municipal government. 1t
is better to have a government by the
Republican party. responsible in its dec
larations. than government by Demo-
cratic partisans without responsibility
TO Democratic principles.
Many persons confound opposition
with principle. A mere partisan Demo-
cratic opposition to the candidates of
the Republican party cannot be digni-
fed with the time honored banner Of
B Jefferson and Tilden. One of the most
fascinating fallacies Of the day Is the
claim that opposition to the admins
tration Of Office by partisans is a prin-
ciple. So called nonpartisan govern
ment is not a principle and should 1t
be accepted and eliminate political par
ties from municipal affairs, invites rea-
sonless contests. Government might as
well be decided by the futures of rival
colors in the football field.
The Democratic party is the enemy
II this fallacy. I do not, therefore, sub
scribe in any way to the theory that
ood city government Is to be found in
overnment without party. If the dream
[ nonpartisan government becomes a
eality. then would arise a condition of
pntests for power between citizens un-
ms and peoples unions, each claiming
be the only original purveyors Of pu-
~ in government. The proposition to
)vern Greater New York through an
ganization known as the Citizens
iion is one of the most vicious heresies
at assail our political progress and
le more dangerous because Of its allur-
& sponsorship. Government by the
emocratic party or the Republican
rty without adherence to issues and
vernment by the Citizens union in
aad Of government by the people be-
lmes government by an organization
would consider it a calamity If New
brk begins its greater career without
e auspices of political principle and
sponsibility The Democratic party is
le party of home rule. but home rule
pes not mean responsibility to the
alton at large. The great cities are
hrt Of the state and country they are
ne granaries, treasures, clearing
houses and capitals Of culture and sci
nee, they are created. not of them
lelves but of the whole peoples toi
nd progress. Therefore 1t is unnatura
and artificial to avoid responsibility L
national issues and political cowardic'
and political crime.
Greater New York will be the un'
crowned capital 9f America. The Dem
ocrats Of New York have a response
bility, not only to themselves and ths
greater city. but to their party and ii:
living principle and the nation. This
election is the most important and in
huential political event between 1S9
and 1900. To suggest that the Demo
( cratic party platform has no place il
this contest Is to admit a doubt of III
wisdom and places the Democratic
party on a par with the fallacy Of non
political government. The issue is TIL
life of the party, not the garment, an,
TO alter or deduct from the declaration
Of the assembled party is mortal in
Jury. Nor have battalions which Tough
now on one side. now on another, nov
shoulder to shoulder as friends, nov
0net to bayonet as enemies, a plac
il. honorable war.