The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-29
BRYAN WOULD NOT
LET
CROKER GAG HIM
Croker Opposed Discussion
of Money in New York,
BRYAN WROTE IN REPLY
DEMOCRATS RIGHT TO KNOW
WHERE NEW YORK STANDS.
EMBARRASSED BY TAMMANY Ar CHICAGO
Democratic Principles Have 100 Firm Hold on
the Plain People to Give Party in any
Section Hope of Success by
Abandoning Them.

Section Hope Of Success by
Abandoning Them.
New York, Jan. 2S.-Thc following lei
| ter from William ]. Bryan to Willis j..
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 fol-
lowing month and would pass through
New York They came to me saying
that a reception should be rendered
him and that he should be asked to
speak. | responded that in my opinion
the regular Democratic organization
should be the one to give the reception.
and that Mr.. Bryan ought not 10 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 20 Mr.
Bryan and find out whether he would
he willing to speak in New York, but
refrain from discussing the money ques-
ton. / wrote to Mr.. Bryan, accordingly,
and received the answer, which fol-
lows.
This letter | showed to Mr., Croker
at the Democratic Club in order thai
he might have no illusion concerning
Mr. Bryan's position. AS Mr.. Croker
has now definitely antagonized the
Democrats who hold TO the Chicago
platform, it is the belief of many friends
Of Mr.. Bryan that this letter in which
ne 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 10th, 1898.
William j. Abbott, New York.
MY Dear Mr.. Abbott / am just in
receipt Of your letter. Please say to
Mr.. Croker that i shall not be able to
come until about April 18th. At that
time i shall be pleased to meet him and
talk over the political situation. IT.
as ! have heard, he is compelled to leave
for Europe before that time, express
my regret to him.
Il appreciate his invitation to speak
there but he will. upon reflection, realize
that | could not afford to make a speech
upon the lines suggested. The national
platform declares the money question To
be the paramount issue and / fully en-
dorse that declaration. So believing,
could not directly or indirectly encOur
age any State to abandon 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 .hc
nation does have right to expect The
Democrats of New York to stand by
the platform or announce their hostility
to it. We ought to know whether the
New York Democracy means peace or
war.
ITO ignore the national platform in
a State convention will give notice
that the Democrats of New York are
hostile to that platform, but lack the
courage to declare it openly. The
platform of '96 will be re-affirmed III
1900, and l for one, would like to know
as soon as possible whether we are to
regard the New York Democrats as
allies or enemies. If the Democrats OF
New York invite me to speak in New
York city while in the East | shall ac-
cept the invitation with pleasure, but il
must be with the understanding that
shall not be restricted as to the subject
to discuss. l do not care to be Il guest
where the Chicago platform is denied 4
hearing.
Il believe that the restoration of bi-
metallsm is necessary, and that six
teen to one is the only ratio at which
bi-metallism can be restored. and | have
no right to expect fayors from those
who are hostile to this doctrine. / can
say to bi-metalliSm at sixteen to one
as Ruth said to Naomi: 'Entreat me not
to leave thee, or to return from following
after thee; for whittier thou goest / will
90. and where thou lodgeSt ! will lodge.
Thy people shall be my people, and thy
God my God. Where thou diest will
die, and there will / he buried. The
aught but death part thee and me-
NO one is compelled to accept my
judgment. and / must myself be guided
by it, and in my Judgment the attempt
to chain the nation to a gold standard
is SO cruel and wicked that / would be
beneath rontcmpt if | should trade my
convictions upon this subject for any po-
ltical 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 Chicago
platform, but it is good policy. Bimetall-
ism will be as strong in New York when