Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-01-29

New York, January 2S.-The follow
ing letter from VIM. ]. Bryan to Willis
]. Abbott, written in. March, 1898, was
given out by Mr.. Abbott to-day. Mr.
Abbott explains the circumstances in
connection with it as follows:
In March, 1898. some of, Mr.
Bryan's admirers in New York learned
that he expected to be in the East in
the following month and would pass
through New York. They came to me
saying that a reception should be ten
dered him and that he should be asked
to speak. I responded that, in my
opinion, the regular Democratic or
ganiZation should be the one to give
the reception and that Mr.. Bryan
ought not to be asked to speak under
any other auspices. / accordingly
consulted Mr. Carroll, and was by him
referred to Mr.. Croker. Mr.. Croker
asked me to write to Mr.. Bryan and
find out whether he would be willing
to speak in New York, but refrain
from discussing the money question.
/ wrote to Mr.. Bryan accordingly and
received the answer which follows.
This letter | sent to Mr.. Croker at
the Democratic Club in order that he
might have no delusion concerning Mr..
7 Bryan's position. AS Mr.. Croker has
now definitely antagonized the Demo-
Gratis who hold to the Chicago plat
form, it is the belief of many friends
of Mr.. Bryan that this letter, in which
he declares that New York Democrats
should show their hands or accept the
hostility of the members of the party
in the South and West, should be made
public"
March IS, 1898.
Willis j. Abbott, New York.
My Dear Mr.. Abbott am just in
receipt of your letter. Please say to
Mr.. Croker that shall not be able to
that time l shall be pleased to meet
him and talk oyer the political situa-
ton. If, as I have heard, he is COM
PEELED to leave for Europe before that
time, express my regret to him.
| appreciate his invitation to speak
There, but he will upon reflection real
|ize that | could not afford to make a
speech upon the lines suggested. The
national platform declares the money
(iSSue to be the paramount issue, and
y endorse that declaration. So
AGA could not, directly or in
directly, encourage any State to aban-
don the national platform. While the
Democrats of the West and South have
no right to force the national platform
upon the people of New York, yet the
Democracy of tbs nation does have a
right to expect the Democrats of New
York to stand by the platform or an
nounce their hostility. We ought to
know whether the New York Democ-
racy means peace or war.
To ignore the national platform in
a State platform will be notice that
the Democrats of New York are hos
tile to that platform, but lack the cour-
age to declare it openly. The platform
OF '96 will be reaffirmed in 1900, and
for one, would like to know as soon as
possible whether we are to regard the
New York Democrats as allies or enc
mics If the Democrats of New York
invite me to speak in New York city
while in the eastS shall accept the in
vitatio2 With pleasure, but it must be
VII understanding that l shall not
Istricted as to the subject of dis
ON. / do not care to be a guest
the Chicago platform is denied
ring.
tlieye that the restoration of BIZ
lism is necessary and that Is to
he only ratio at which bimetal-
pan be restored, and | have no
to expect favors from those who
stile to this doctrine. l can say
etallism at Is to l as Ruth said
bml: "Entreat me not TO leave
r. to return from following after
or whittier thou goest, l will go,
here thou lodgest | will lodge.
people shall be my people, and
I'D my God. Where thou dest
die, and there will l be buried
prd do so to me and more also
It but death part thee and me-"
pne is compelled to accept my
mt but | must myself be guided
Dy Ind in my judgment the at
ten to chain the nation to a
gold Hcandard is so cruel and wicked
that / would be beneath contempt if
should trade my convictions upon this
subject for any political advantage
which the New York Democrats might
be willing to offer.
Let me add another word: 1t is not
only right that the New York State
convention should stand by the Chi
cago platform, but it is good policy.
Bimetallism will be as strong in New
York when it is fully understood as
it is now in the West and South and
the sooner the Democracy of New
York begins the defense of the Chi
cago platform the sooner the work of
education will be completed. To
ignore the platform when all the
States West and South endorse it will
have all the force of declaration
against the platform, and such a