The age-herald., 1899-01-29
BRYAN TRUE ID
 HIS PLATFORM k. Refused to Speak Under Any
 Restriction. LETTER ID WILLIS J. ABBOTT In Reference to the Leaders Visit
 to New York. DISCUSSION OF FREE SILVER Mir. Bryan Declined to Evade the
 Monetary Question. ACTION OF RICHARD CRoKER He Sought to Exact Pledge from the Democratic Nominee to Refrain
 from Mentioning the
 Silver Question,

New York, January 28.-The following let ter from William J. Bryan to Willis J. Ab- bolt, written in March, 1898, was given out by MT. Abbott today. MT. Abbott explains the circumstances in connection with it as follows:
 Tn March, 1898, some of MT. Bryans ad- mirers in New York learned that he ex- pected to be in the east in the following month and would be in New York. They came to me saying that a reception should be rendered him and that he should be asked to speak. I responded that in my opinion the regular democratic organization should be the one to give the reception and that MT. Bryan ought not to be asked to speak under any auspices. l accordingly consulted Mir. Carroll, and was by him re- ferred to MT. Croker MT. Croker asked me to write to MT. Bryan and find out whether he would be willing to speak in New York, but refrain from discussing the money question. I wrote to MT. Bryan accordingly and received the answer which follows:
 Richard Croker's Action
 "This letter I wrote to MT. Croker at democratic club in order that he might have no illusion concerning MT. Bryan's position As MT. Croker has now definitely antag- onized the democrats who hold to the Chi cago platform it is the belief of many friends of MT. Bryan that this letter in which he declares that New York demo- crats should show their hands or accept the hospitality of the members of the party in the south and west, should be made public"
 Following is the letter:
 March 16, 1898. ''Willis J. Abbott, New York.
 My Dear MT. Abbott-I am just In re- cept of your letter. Please say to MT. Crokcr that I shall not be able to come east until about April 13 At that time shall be pleased to meet him and talk over the political situation. If, as I have heard, he is compelled to leave for Europe before that time, express my regret to him.
 'T 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 Paramount Issue
 "The national platform declares the money question to be the paramount issue and I fully endorse that declaration. So believing I could not directly or indirectly encourage any state to abandon the nation al 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 the nation does have a right to expect the democrats of New York to stand by the platform or announce their hostility We ought to know whether the New York democracy means peace or war
 .aTo ignore the national platform In state convention will be notice that the democrats of New York are hostile to that platform but lact the courage to declare 1t openly.
 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 in- yites me to speak in New York city while in the east. shall accept the invitation with pleasure. but it must be with the un- derstanding that l shall not be restricted to the subject of discussion.
 Declined to Be Restricted
 Ido not care to be guest where the Chi cago platform is denied hearing. be- lieye that the restoration of bimetalism is necessary, and that sixteen to one Is the only ratio at which bimetallism can be re-. stored. and have no right to expect favors from those who are hostile to this doctrine. I can say to birnctailism at 16 to as Ruth said to Naomi:
 ''Entreat me not leave thee, or to re- turn from following after thee, for whither thou goest will go, and where thou lodg est will lodge. Thy people shall be my peo- pie and thy God my God. Where thou dest will die. and there will be buried. The Lord do so to me and more also if aught but death part thee and me-
 No one Is compelled to accept my judg- msnt and I must myself be guided by It. and h my judgment the attempt to chain the nsticn to a gold standard Is so cruel and wicked that would be beneath con- tempt if I should trade my convictions mon this subjeet for any political advantage which the vev York democrats might be willing to offer.
 "I.ct me add another word: It is not only right that the New York state convention should stand by the Chicago platform, but It is good policy. Bimetalissn will be as stron9 in New York when 1t Is fully under atood as 1t is now in thel "as. and south, and the soouex the Now democracy