The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-21
BRYAN TO BELMONT.
Latest Chapter of the Jefferson Birth
day Invitation Episode.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, March Cool.
W. j. Bryan to-day made public some corre-
spondence he had with Hon. Perry Belmont,
president Democratic Club, of New York
Mr.. Bryan was invited to speak at the BAN
quet of the Democratic Club on Jefferson's
birthday, and replied, as stated a few days
ago, that he desired to know before accept
ing the invitation whether Mr.. Belmont had
yet publicly announced his conversion to
the principles of the Chicago platform. Mr..
Belmont, in answer, stated that individual
opinions had not been considered in issuing
the invitations. To this Mr.. Bryan replied
Il might plead previous engagement as
reason for declining, but that would be
equivalent to saying that 1 would come but
for the engagement, but frankness compels
me to add another reason. / appreciate the
compliment which the Democratic Club pays
me i'm extending an invitation, but 1 do not
understand how individual opinions can be
ignored at a political gathering. You are
the president OF the club and represent the
Grub before the public. Your position upon
public questions was well known in 1896,
and your telegram indicates that your posi-
ton has not been changed My position
upon public questions Is also well known.
The antagonism between our opinions is so
great that we cannot with propriety join in
political banquet given in honor of De-
mocracy's patron saint.
Jefferson stood for certain We'll defined
principles. III your views are a correct re-
Election of his ideas, / fear that my voice
would sound diScOrdant note al your BAN
quet. If, on the other hand the Chicago
platform applies Gas l believe it does) Jeffer-
sonian principles to present conditions, then
your conspicuous presence at the Jefferson
ian banquet would not honor the memory of
the worlds greatest Democrat. Do not mis-
understand me. You may be right and |
may be wrong, but take it for granted that
we are equally conscientious and L trust that
i may not show myself less courageous than
you. You proclaimed to your fellow citizens
IN 1896 that my election upon Democratic
platform would endanger the Nations well
fare. You will pardon me if L suggest that
a banquet presided over by you will injure
rather than aid the Democratic party.
but differences in principle cannot be har-
moniZed and, in my judgment, no party adj
vantage is to be derived from political COM
munion between Jeffersonian Democrats
who stand upon the Chicago platform and
the Republican allies who masquerade as
Democrats between campaigns in order TO
give more potency to their betrayal of Dem
ocratic principles on election day
Mr.. Bryan said tonight TO the Associated
Press that he would attend the dollar ban
quet in New York If postponed until April
10, If the management of that entertainment
made 1t distinctly Chicago platform ban
quet in honor OF Jefferson, otherwise not.
He was informed on authority that the
management would postpone the banquet If
he would attend, but no answer has yet been
made as to whether the affair will be made
a distinctive Chicago platform banquet