Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-21
BRYAN AND BELMONT.
Correspondence on Subject Of
New York Banquet
DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND,
interesting Letters Between the Two
Democratic Leaders.
NEBRAsKAN WILL GO TO 81 FEAST.
That is, il IL IS Distinctly Made II
Chicago Platform Entertainments
NEBRAsISAN WILL GO TO 81 FEAST.

CHATTANOOGA. TENN March 90
Hon. W. j. Bryan to-day gave ou; the
following correspondence to the Asso-
c.atcd Press. having been notified that IT
had not been made public by Mr. Belmont.
Mr.. BRYAN stated that he had nothing to
say about the matter, but that the corre-
spondence spoke for itself II follows:
Champaign. H.. March 1G-Hon. Perry
belmont. President Democratic Club, New
York: Dear sir-I received few days
ago the following telegram:
New York. March 9.-Hon. w. j..
Bryan. lincoln. Neb.: In arranging the
toasts ard responses at the banquet Of
the Democratic Club on Jefferson's birth
day. April 18th. the committee are most
desirous. if your engagements will permit
your attendance. TO have YOU select such
subject as you prefer TO discuss in your
own way within the limits fixed for all
speeches Of twenty minutes. Please wire
reply
tSirneO PERRY BELMONT,
President.
"Richard Croker. Chairman
Upon my return to Nebraska l sent
the following inquiry:
"IIncoln Neb., March 1O.-Iion. Perry
Belmont. Democratic Club Invitation re-
ceived. Remembering that you repu-
dated the Democratic platform in the
last campaign. l desire 10 know before
answering invitation whether YOU have
since the election publicly announced your
conversion TO the principles set forth In
that platform. (signeO
WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN
"I have just received your reply, as fol-
l.us.
The invitation extended you Is or be
,.f OF the Democratic Club. InAvIuual
0ns have not been considered in
the invitations TO celebrate tie
tllly ol Thomas jefferson.
sneO "PERRY BELMONT.'
BRYAN DECLINES INVITATION.
Il might plead previous engagement
as reason for declining. but tnat would
he equivalent 20 saying that | could come
but FOR the engagement.
"But frdukncss cOmpels me 20 add ar
other reason. j appreciate the compli-
mcut which the Democratic Club pays me
iu extending an invitation. but ] do not
.'.NIf LlIl now lIAlNlUAdl OI4lllDllS Aa44
Doe ignored O. o. political gathering.
.Iou are president Of the club and rep
resent the club before the public. Your
position upon public questions was well
known in 1896. and your telegram indi-
Gates that your position has not been
changed.
liy position upon public questions is also
Well known. The antagOnism between
our opinions is so great that we cannot,
with propricty, join in political banquet
.r.n i'm honor Of Democracy's patron
saint. Jefferson stood for certain well
eu.d principles. If your views are a
er,ct reelection Of his ideas, my voice
would sound a discordant note at your
banquet. II. ON the other hand the Chi
platform implies, as | believe il does,
i.I Jefcrsonian principles. then your
.nce at the jefferson banquet would
t.. honor the memory of the worlds
est Democrat.
"Nl not misunderstood me. Nou may
p. rrht and ] may be wrong, but l take
4! Hr granted that We are equally con-
tantious, and / trust that ] may not
...W myself less courageous than YOU.
You proclaimed 90 your felOw-citizens I'm
-'i that my election upon a Democratic
platform woulC endangeT the nations
welfare. You will pardon me if / suggest
tlat banquet presided over hy you viii
injuyc rather than aid the Democratic
party. ] believe in harmonizug personal
differences. but differences i'm principle
cannot De- harmonized. and in my judg-
mcnt no party advantage is 90 be derived
from political communion between Jeffer-
,Ouiau Democrats who stand upon the
Chicago platform and the Republican al
lies who masquerade as Democrats be-
tween campaigns in order TO give more
potency 90 their betrayal Of Democratic
principles ON election day.
"YOurs truly.