The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-29
BRYAN Welded
TO FREE SILVER.
He Declined to Speak in New York
and Not Discuss It,
HISLETTER TO WILLIS. ABBOTT
could Not AFFORD to Accept Mr.. Crok-
cr's Suggestion W ould be Beneath
Contempt 60 Sacrifice His Com
victions for Advantage
HIS LETTER TO WILLIS. ABBOTT

J. Abbott written ltl 'i't N'' '
given OUT D. M Abbott to-day AT
Abbott explains tho circumstances in
connection with 10 as follows.
"ln March. lyN some OF Mr.. bry"n
admirers I'm New York learned that me
expected 10 be in the East the ioilo"l"S
month and would pass through Ne"
York. They came 20 me saying that O.
reception should be- rendered him ana
thai hc should be asked 20 speak l re-
sponded that IN my opinion tho regular
Democratic organization should Do ln'
one 20 give The reception ana thAt Aii
Bryan ought not 90 be asked 4" sptth
under any other auspices accoioln-E
eon.uitcs Mr. Carroll ana was bt him
referred TO MIR Croker. Mr. Croker
asked mo 90 write 90 Mr.. Bryan ana
nnd out whether De would be- willing To
sneak in New York. but refrain from
discussing the money question. wrote
10 Mr. Bryan accordingly ana receive"
the answer which follows.
"This letter I wrote 90 SIR. Croker at
the Democratic club in order mat he
might have no illusion concerning MT.
Br,ans position. As Mr. Croker has
now definitely autogonizcd the Itm'-
Gratis who hold 10 the Chicago platform
Al Ia the belief of many friends Of MT.
Bryan that this letter i'm which Do" de-
clares that New York Democrats should
show their hands or accept tnc hosul-
ifv Of the members OF the party in ire
South and West. should be- made public.
BRYAN'S LETTER.
March Is, 1SS.
"Win.s ]. Abbott New York.
NV Dear Abbott am Just I'm receipt
Of your letter Please say lo Mr.. Croker
that shall not be able 90 come East
until about April 18th. at that time
shall be pleased 10 meet him and tax
over the political situation. II as / have
heard. hc Is compelled 90 leave for
Europe before that time express my re-
gret o. him.
appreciate his invitation 90 speak
there. but be will. upon reflection realize
that could not afford 10 make "a speech
mon the lines suggested. The national
platform declares tho money question 20
he the paramount issue and / fully en-
dorse that declaration. So believing /
could NOT directly cor indirectly encourage
, any state 70 abandon the national plat
form
SHOULD SHOW THEIR HAND.
While the Democrats of the West and
south have no right 90 force the mae
fi0nai platform upon the people of New
York yet the Democracy or the nation
does have "a right % expect the Demo-
Gratis Of New York 10 stand 10y the plat
form or announce their hostility 10 a.
We ought 90 know whether the New
York Democracy means peace or war.
To ignore tie national platform in
State convention will De notice that the
Democrats ~ New York are hostile 10
that platform. bur lack the courage 20
declare 20 openly.
The platform of e6 will be reaf7rmed
IN 1850. and J f0r one. would Ike 90
know as soon as possible whether We
are 10 regard the New York Democrats
az allies or enemies. IL the Democrats
~ New York invite me 10 speak in New
York city while I'm the Eas, ] shall ac-
cept the invitation with pleasure, but ~
must Doe with the understanding that 1
shall not bc restricted as 20 the sub
ject 20 be discussed. / DO not desire 10
he q guest whore the Chicago platfrom
g. denied a hearing 7 believe that the
restoration of bi-meiallism IS necessary
and that 16 20 ] D. the only ratio at
which bi-moialiism can b. restored and
I have no right 10 expect favors from
those who are hostile 20 this doctrine
can say 10 bi-motallism at 10 20 l.
as Ruth said 20 Naomi. 'Entreat me
not 20 leave thee. or to return from
following after thee. for wither thou
gOest. ] will go and where thou lodeest
I Will lodge. Thy people shall be MY
people and thy God my God Where
thou diest VIII 7 die and there will 7 be
buried The Lord do $50 20 me and more
also II aught but death part thee and
me
No one f. compelled 10 accept my judy
ment ana I must myself be- guided by
n and IN my judgment the attempt 20
chain the nation 20 a gold standard is so
cruel and wicked that ] would De be-
meath contempt if I should trade my
convictons upon this subject for any
political advantage which the New York
a.. Will rffn
GOOD POLICY.
Let me add another word II Is not
only right that the New York State con-
vention should stard by the Chicago
platform but 70 is good policy Timetal-
ism viii be- IS strong IN New York when
A. Is fully understood az 70 is now in the
West and South. and the sooner the De
moclacy ~ New York Begin the defence
of the Chicago platform the sooner the
work of education VIII bo completed To
ignore The platform whom am tho states
west and south endorse g. VIII have all
fhe force Of "a declaration against tho
platform end such course VIII make IL
more difficult 60 endorse the platform
hereafter.
We were embarrassed in she last cam
paisn hy the fact that thc Democrats of
your state went 90 Chicago 90 oppose
the platform W ich was adopted. Unless
tho party I'm NfW YORK expects 60 re
peat Tbs experiment in 1922 70 should
lose no time in taking "a hrm stand upon
the Chicago platform. in urging this
course uron Iammanv and the DoInoe-
racy OF Now York / ought 20 suggest
that The party ln New York mas some
thing ~ stake gs well as the party in
the nation. Tammany needs the Dcmoc-
rscy Of the nation 1s mucn ass lhe ma
tional party needs Tammsny. and Tam
many should recognize this fact Demo-
cratic principles have TOO firm "a hold
upon the plain people 70 give the party
Ia any section any promise OF success by
abandoning them. Democracy was de-
fined a. Chicago. and the definition is so
satisfactory that no material change will
b. made I'm that definition FOR years 20
come I hope The New York Democrats
for their good as well as for the good
OF The parry and country al large. will
speedily bring themselves within the de-
fnition by giving an unqualified endorse
neut OF the Chicago platform
Yours fFllly