The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-03-21
To Be Derived from Communion With
Masquerading Republicans.
BELMONT MAKES A STATEMENT.
None OF the Three Thousand Men Who
Compose the jefferson Club is or
Ever Has Been a Republican.
lie Docs Not RecognIze Dir.
Bryan's Right 10 Crifi-
else II is Course.

CHATTANOOGA, TENN, March 20
Hon. w. j. Bryan to-day gave out tine
following correspondence to the Assoc
ciated Press, having been notified that it
had not been made public by Mr.. Bel
mont Mr.. Bryan stated that he had
nothing to say about the matter, but that
the correspondence spoke for itself:
Campaign, Ill.,. March 16.
Hon. Perry Belmont, President Demo-
cratic Club. New York.
Dear sir.-f received u few days ago
the following telegram:
New York, March 9.
Hon. ". j. Bryan, Llacoln, Neb.:
"'In arranging toasts and responses at
the banquet Oh the Democratic Club on
Jefferson birthday, April 18th, the COM
m4Ltee are most desitOus, IL your en-
gagement5 wall permit your attendance,
TO nave you select such subject "a YOU
prefer TO discuss I'm your own way within
the limits. So lar all speeches WILL be OF
twenty minutes. Please wire reply.
(SlgneO PERRY BELMoNT,
" President.
COL. BhlAN j. nErLl.
Upon my return TO Nebraska l sent
the following inquiry.
Lincoln, Neb. March l0.-HOn Perry
Belmont, Democratic Club: Invitation
received. Remembering that you re-
pudiated the Democratic platform in the
last campaign, I desire 70 know before
answ ling invitation whether you have
since the election publicly announced
your conversion to the principles set forth
in that platform.
(Signed
WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN"
"I have just received your reply The
invitation extended you IS on behalf Of
the Democratic Club. individual opin-
ions have not been considered in issuing
the invitations % celebrate the birthday
of Thomas jefferson.
tsisned PERRY BELMONT"
81 might plead a previous engagement
as a reason FOR declining. but that would
be equivalent 10 saying that 1 could
come for the engagement. but frankness
complies mo to add another reason. | APP
preciate the compliment which the Demo
cratic Club pays me IN extending me an
Invitation, but ! do not understand how
individual opinions can be ignored by q
political gathering. You are presient Of
The club and represent tho club before the !
public. Your position up on public ques- /
tons was wen known in is6. aud your
telegram indicates that your position has /
not been changed. Mv position upon pub /
lie questions is also well known. The an
between our opinions Is so great /
hat We cannot with propriety Join in a
political banquet given in honor OF De- /
nocracy's patron saint. Jefferson stood /
Or certain well defined principles III /
'our views are a correct reflection of his .
dels. my voice would sound a discordant
tote 10 your banquet j.. on the other
land. the Chicago platform implies. as /
'elieve it does. high Jenersonian princi-
lies then your presence at the Jefferson
.anQuct would not honor the memory /
Z the worlds greatest Democrat
THB CAMPAIGN OF 1886.
" DO not misunderstood me. You
nay be- right and I may be wrong.
ut take it for granted that we are
qually conscientious. and 7 trust that
nay not show myself less Courageous
han you You proclaimed 10 your fel
lH-cifizens in 1895 that my election uDon
Democratic platform would endangor
he nations welfare. You will pardon
be- II / suggest that a banquet presided
vcr by you viii iniure rather than aid
he Democratic party ! believe I'M har-
ionizing personal differences. but diff
,rences in principles cannot be harmon
ed and In my judgment no party ad-
antage is 20 be derived from political
lmmuni9n between jefferson Demo-
rats who stand upon tho Chicago plat ;
,rm and the Republican allies who mas :
Ierade as Democrats between campaigns
order to give more potency to their
strayal of their Democratic principles
election day.