The times., 1899-03-22
WEDNESDAY, MARCH %, 1899
Mr. Brvnn,s Letter.

In nothing since the close of the last
campaign has Mr.. Bryan SO well demon
strated the .,ossession OF the qualities OF
a great leader as in his correspondence
with one of the leading gold men OF New
York. His letter in reply to the invita-
tion to a Jefferson day banquet from the
Democratic Club disposes briefly but
finally of a question that has been dis
crssed in many States and is likely to be
brought to the consideration OF many con-
ventions: That is. the right OF men wEo
abandoned the Democratic party after the
Chicago convention, denounced its plat
form. and aided in the defeat of its can
didates, to take part in the future coun-
chs OF the party without first repudiating
the heresies of three years ago. To some
men in the position of Mr.. Bryan there
would be temptation to address the pro-
posed gathering. since among those who
constitute the Democratic Club are men
OF wealth and influence who have hitherto
exercised large control over the New
York delegation. But he valves all per-
sonal advantages to uphold the banner of
Democracy and to leave no doubt as to
the exact principles of the party. The
circumstances of the letter are well known.
but to make the issue entirely clear We
reproduce the full text:
Champaign, ILL.,. March IG
Hon. Perry Belmont, President Democratic Club
New York:
Dear Sir: l received few days ago the fol-
lowing telegram:
New York, March 9.-Hon. W. ]. Bryan, Lin
.TIW A.t. L. II.
al the banquet Of the Democratic Club on JET
terson's Birthday, April IL, the committee are
most desirous, ii your engagements will permit
your attendance. TO have you select such subject
as you prefer TO discuss in your own way. within
the limit which has been set for all speeches, Of
twenty minutes Please wire reply.
PERRY BELMONT, President
RICHARD CROKER, Chairman
Upon my return TO Nebraska sent you the fol.
lowing enquiry
Lincoln, Seb., March 13-Hon. Perry Bel
mont. Democratic Club, New York: Invitation
received Remembering that you openly repu.
dated the Democratic platform in the last cam
paign, desire to know before answering invita-
tion whether YOU have, since the election, pub
liciy announced Your conversion to the principles
set forth IN that platform
--wILIIAN JENNINGS BRYAN"
have just received your reply:
s.Tle invitation extended to you is on. behalf
oi Democratic Club. individual opinions have rot
been considered in issuing the invitations 20 eeIe-
brat- the birthday OF Thomas Jeiierson.
PERRY BELMONT"
/ might plead a previous engagement as a
reason for declining, but that would be equva-
lent TO saying that l would come but for an
engagement. and frankness eompeis me to add an
other
l appreciate the compliment the Democratic
Cltb pays in extending invitation but I
do not understand how individual opinions can
bc ignored n political gathering.
You are the president OF the club and repre-
sentative OF the club before the public Your
position upon public questions well known in
1886. and your previous telegram indicates that
your position has not changed Ny position
upon public questions is also well known
The autagonisin between opinions is 50
great that We cannot with propriety Join in
political banquet given in honor OF Democracy's
patron saint
Jeffersoa stood for certain weII-defined prin-
ciplcs II your views are correct refectioa OF
his ideas fear that my voice would sound dis
cordant noIe at your banquet
II, on the other hand, the Chicago platform
applies (as believe it doesl JefeTsonian prin-
oipies 10 present conditions, then your con
would not honor the memory Of the worlds
greatest Democrat.
DO not misunderstood me.
You may be right and / may be wrong. but
take ii for gTanttd that equally con
scientiot.s. and / Trust that may not show my
self less courageous than you.
You proclaimed TO your feilow-citizens in IS1O
that my election upon the Democratic platform
would endangsr the nations welfare. You will
pardon me If / suggest that banquet pre-
sided over by you viii iniure rather than aid the
Democratic party.
l believe in harmonizing personal differences.
and, in my opinion, party advantage is to be
derived from political communion between JEFF
feTson Democrats who stand upon the Chicago
platform and the Republican allies who mas
querade as Democrats between campaigns in order
20 give more potency 10 their betrayal OF Demo
cratic principles on election day. Yours truly.
". J. BRYAN.
In the closing sentence is full reason
why no Democrat can afford to take part
I'm a significant function under the man
agement OF the men who aided in the de-
feat OF the party In the last campaign.
They assume the title of Democrats W eth
out accepting the principles promulga.e led
by the only Democratic authority and By
recognizing them as Democrats Mr. Brya
and other leaders would increase their
power to injure the party il it should
refuse to bow to their demands Another
purpose they have in view is to take ad-
vantage of the name of Democracy for
their personal preferment in State poi
tics. Yet they have a far stronger elai1,
on the Republican than on the Democratic
party. The final test is the direction in
which a mans influence and vote are cast
and when these men promoted the elec-
tion OF Mr.. Mckinley they forfeited every
right TO pose as Democrats.
II is not the policy Of any reasonable