St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1899-03-18
BRYAN's ANSWER.
letter written by the Champion OF
Free silver to the Tammany
Az 4, 81 Leader Last March.

Free silver to the Tammany
ii Leader Last March.
When, in March. 1898, twas proposed
| that Bryan should make speech in
New York under the auspices Of Tam
| many Hall, Willis J. Abbot went to see
| Richard Croker about 1t. Mr.. Abbot
says:
e ''Ms. Croker. asked me to write Mr.,
Bryan aud find out whether he would
be willing to speak in New York but re-
sfrain from discussing the money ques-
| tion. IvWrote Mr. Bryan accordingly
and received letter in reply. Thialet-
ter read to Mr.. Croker IN order that
he might have no illusion concerning
Mr.. Bryan's position. As Mr.. Croker
has now definitely antagonized the
democrat swho 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.
This is the letter Of Mr.. Bryan, dated
| 1aaelh M szs cn ~ l,s ioso f e
i My Dear Mr. Abbot I, am just in raceipr
Of your1etter Please say to Mr.. Croker tha
Ishall not be able to come east until about
April 13
AT that time shah be pleased to meet
him and talk over the political situation.
III, as have heard, he Is compelled to leave
fors europe before that time express my
regret TO him.
at - his ir,vst tfr, n, sneaj here
but be WILL upon reflection, realize that
could not alford 20 make speecn upon. the
lines suggested. Ine nataonal PLATFORM de-
clares the money question 20 pc the para
mount issue, ana 4 Iaily ineorse slnaL aec-
laradion. so believing, could not direct-
ly or indirectly encourage any state 70
abandon the national Platform. " lille the
democrats or the west and south nave no
right TO force International Platform upon
the people of New York, yet the democracy
or the nation does have right to expect
the democrats of New York 70 stand by
the platform or announce their hostility.
~ ousnt 70. KNOW spnether the 1seH Z orfS
democracy means peace or war
70 ignore Inc natlonal PLATFORM IN the
state eonvenIioh Will pc notiee thaI the
democrats OF New orR are hostlle 10 tEat
psasIorm, put iack tne courage 10 deciare
= openly.
Ihe plattorm OF W Wlil pc reafnrmea
n 1900, ana !, FOR one would ike TO know
as soon as possible Whefher we are to re-
eara Lhe sTseWs xoFK democrats as alaes or
as enemies. Al the democrats OF New fork
invite me 70 speak IN New YORK city While
IN the east snan accept the invlIation
WIN pteasures Dul II must De WITH the un-
derstanding that 4 shall not be restricted
as 70 subjects discussed 4 90 not care 70
pc guest where the Chicago pla ttorm is
denied nearing.
beileye tnaf the restoration OF bi-
usetaiiism Is necessary, ana mat sixteen :.
70 one II the only ratio at Which Dlmetaa-
iism can ne restored. ana nave NO rlgnt
70, 70 iaVoTs Irois, lnose Wno aIe
tue 70 tisls ooctf.ne.5 can say 70 DlIns TAI
ism ism az siAteeh - 70 one as Rutn salo 70
Isaoli,I. ,e Nc. % Ieavs thss e
~, " IsluIta hloAl N N ioitoWang 4 aAlsA Alss, lui
Whienef 1hou gosst VIII ses ana WneTe
snou loag est 1 Waia iooge, lhy peopis shaIR
ns mp peopie. ahq any Gou ny wy. y aleIe
aaess vii lis' alu snsls WI u. ! 70
lns -oIu ~ ~ y hls, aila
aasO, - Asil Da1 aSsltAa psat eiiSe sata1 iiis,
NO one is compelled TO accept my
judgment, put must myseif pc guided by
T. y ana ~ my Judgment the aftempt to chain
the nation 70 goid stanaara ~ 80 cruel
and Wickea tnat 4 Would pe peneath con
tempt Il l should trade my convictions upon
lnis supJecs lor any poIticai advantage
.!,,. Wn,cn the reW &osA oealiocrats lalsii ps
WllIlng VALID 20 ol
LEY me Az AZ aIolner M WoIu. - ls nol oniy
.naa sas SS alass ~.
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ana tae sooIsr 1ne ueihoeIaey as ., NV
iork pegins me deIense OF tne Chleago
ihs VIII ~, %
sarr, ~ saa 4aet aa so,.s