New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-21


MENT AND DENoUNCEs GOLD DEMO
Gratis AS REPUBLICAN ALLIES.
Chattanooga, Tenn. March 2O.-W. J. Bryan
gave the following correspondence TO The Asso-
ciated Press to-day. having been Informed that
II had not been made public by Mr. Belmont.
Mr.. Bryan stated that he had nothing to say
about the matter but that the correspondence
spoke for itself
Champaign H.. March 16
Hon. Perry Belmont President Democratic Club,
New-York
Dear Sir: received few days ago the fol-
lowing telegram:
New-York, March Q.
Hon. w. J. Bryan, Lincoln. Neb.
In arranging the toasts and responses AZ the
banquet Of the Democratic Club Jefferson
birthday. April 13, the committee are most de-
sirous. If your engagements Will permit your
attendance. to have you select such subJect as
you prefer to discuss in your own way, withn
the limit set for all speecnes of twenty minutes
Please wire reply.
PERRY BELMONT, President,
RICHARD CROKER. Chairman.
Upon my return to Nebraska sent you the
following inquiry:
Lincoln. Neb.. March H.
Hon. Perry Belmont, Democratic Club, New
York:
Invitation received Remembering that you
the last campaign, desire to know. before an
swering invitation, whether you have since the
election publicly announced your conversion 10
the principles set forth in that platform.
WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN.
have Just received your reply:
The invitation extended to you is on behalf
Of the Democratic Club. Individual opinions
have not been considered I'm issuing the invita-
tiOns to celebrate the birthday Of Thomas JET
fersOn. PERRY BELMONT
might plead previous engagement as
reason FOR declining but that would be equiva-
lent 10 saying that / would come but for the
engagement. but frankness compels me to add
another reason. I appreciate the compliment
which the Democratic Club pays me in extend
ing an invitation but do not understand how
individual opinions can be ignored at political
gathering You the president Of the club
and represent the club before the public. Your
position upon public questions was well known
in 1896 and your telegram indicates that your
position has not been changed. My position upon
public questions is also we'll known. The an
tagonism between our opinions is great that
We cannot with proprety join in political
banquet given in honor Of Democracy's patron
saint.
jefferson stood for certain we-de fined prin-
cples II your views correct reflection Of
his ideas 7 fear that my voice would sound
dlsc0rdant note at your banquet. IT, on the
other hand. the Chicago platform applies (as
believe 1t does) jefferson principles to present
conditions. then your conspicuous presence at
the Jrffsrsonian banquet would not honor the
memory Of TIE worlds greatest Democrat.
ID not misunderstood me. You may be right
and / MAJ be wrong. but take it for granted
that we are equally conscientious, and | trust
that I may no; show myself less courageous
than you. You proclaimed to your fellow-cil-
zens in 1896 that my election upon Democratic
platform would cndanger the Nations welfare.
you will pardon me if | suggest that a banquet
presided over by you will injure rather than
aid the Democratic party. | televe In har-
mInizing personal differences. but differences in
principle cannot be harmonized, and In my
Judgment no party advantage Is TO be derived
from political communion between Jeffersonian
Democrats who stand upon the Chicago plat
form. ard the Republican allies who masquerade
as Democrats between campaigns in order 10
give more potency 70 their betrayal of Demo-
cratic principles Election Day. Yours truly.
W. J. BRYAN