The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-01-29
OLD LETTER FROM BRYAN.
WHY HE DECLINED TO TAKE PART
IN NEW YORK CAMPAIGN.
He Jnsisted That the Democrats
There should TnaualfAedly In
dorse 16 to 4, and Permit Hin TO
Make Speeches on Money o.estto.

Sofsh H. ss--10 1CssCwtlk 4Ei-
ter from William j. Bryan TO Willis J.
Abbott. written IN March. Isse. was given
cut oy Mr. Abbott today. Mr. Abbot: ex-
paasns The circumstances II connection with
4 as follows:
In March. 1885. s0ne OF Mr. Bryan's
admirers IA New York learned that NJ ex-
feeied % be In the East in the following
month and would pass through New York.
iney came 10 me, saying that reception
should be rendered him, and that he should
be asked 10 speak responded that In my
opihaoa the regular Democratic organixar
ton saoald De the rne 10 give the reception,
and tia, sir. Bryan ought nor De asked 30
speak under my auspices. i consulted Mr..
carroll and WAS by him referred 10 Mr.
tFoKeF. Mr.. Croker asked me 10 write 10
ny. Bryan and tSld out whether he would
De willing to speak In New York, but re-
IRAN discussing the money question !
wrote to Mr. Bryan accordingly and re-
csiyed the answer which follows,
his letter wrote TO Mr.. Croker at the
1esnocfdte Club in order te-t he might
Lave no Illusion concerning Mr. Bryan's
POSITION. AS Mr.. Croker has now definitely
~htasonized the Democrats who hold TO the
Snacaso platform. il Is the belief of many
friends OF Mr.. Bryan that this letter. In
Maieh ne declares that New York Demo-
esais sncuid show their hands or accep:
IN tlae hoS,iity OF The members OF the party
public"
..x,..,,, March Is, 1885.
William J. Abbott, New York:
My Dear Abbott: I am iust In receipt
OK your letter. Please say 10 Mr.. Croker
taat i shall not be able TO come East IN
u about April -. At sha, time shall be
pleased 10 meet him and talk over ire
political situation. IL as I have heard. he
Is compelled 10 leave for Europe before
sn .ai ons. express my regrets to aim
there. but he viii, upan reflection. realize
thas could not afford to make 4 speech
uia.a the lines suggested. The national
p.atform declares the money question 10
be the paramount Issue. and | fully in
oorse That question. so believing. I could
not directly or indirectly encourage any
Wnse % obe aoa nsnT ne nstioaai platform;
south have no right TO force the national
PLATFORM upon the people OF New York.
yer me democracy OF lie nation does have
their hostility. We ought to know whether
the New York Democracy means peace
ITO ignore the national platform in
STATE convention will be. notice tina. the
democrats OF New York are hostile 10
declare II openly.
THE platform of 1896 VIII be reanfrmed
IA iEs'. ana l for one would ike 10 know
as soon as possible whether we are IN
regard the New York Democrats as allies
or enemies. IL the Democrats Of New
YORK invite me to speak while in the Eas.
ure, bat II must be with the understand
Ing that I shall not be restricted as 10
the subject Of discussion. do not care
20 De guest where the Chicago platform
is denied a hearing.
81 believe that the restoration OF BIZ
hefstliSfn is necessary and that Is TO /
Is the only ratio at which bir,efalism can
tie restored, and / have right to sx-
rect favors from, those who are hostile
To this doctrine. / can say TO biUsetaiftsm
at IS to as Ruth said to Naomi; 's.ntreat
IA ~ 10 leEfxy fknn 10 rx&tt frar~
following after thee: for whittier thou
goest, I viii go. and where thou lodgesr
I will iodse; Thy peonle, shall be my
people. and thy God my God Where thou
diest will die. and there will be buried
The Lord 30 SO to me- and more also IL
aught bat death part thee ard me-
mo one is compelled tn accent INV jrcy-
ment and must myself be guided by It.
and In my Judgment the attempt TO chain
the nation TO gold standard Is 50 cruel
and wicked that / would he beneath CON-
tempt II I should trade ny CONVICTIONS up
on this subpect for any political advantage
which the New York Democrats nigh, be
LEI mo add another word:
1T is net only right that the New York
state convention should stand by. the Chi
cargo platform. but ia good policy. b.
me.all,sm will be as strong In New York
when II Ia fully understood as IL is row in
the West and South. aud the sooner the
Democracy begins the defense OF the CHI
rsgp Platform tha sooner the work OF edit
cation will be- conducted
We We're eInha raised In TIE last cam
pagn by the tact that the Democrats OF
your state went II Chicago 10 oppose the
platform which was adopted. Unless the
party IN New Srrk expects IN repeat this
experiment; IN 1860 IL should lose TO time
In taking a firm stard upon the Chicago
platform. In urging this course un0n
TanTnany and IN. Democracy OF New
York ] ought 10 stIgEass that the party IN
New York has something 1T stake as well
as the party IN the nation.
F+Taumany needs the Democracy OF the
ration - much as the rational party needs
Tanmany. and Tamn1auy shoui5 recognize
this fact Democratic principles have TOO
firm hola upon the plain people 80 give
the party I'm any section any promise Of
success nv abandoning them. u Fnacracy
was defined ~ Ch!cs 70. and ths Gefinft On
fs 50 satisfactory taat no material change
viii As4 made IN that definition for years
20 come hone The New York Demo
Gratis Far their good as wei ss for the
good az tire party ard country ~ larre.
win Snes1jtv hiring therssss9rs within the
AeHnttton hv rtvirx sn unqualified ins40rse-
meat Of the Chicago Platform Yours
txgsv ''WTf.risM BRYAN"