The sun., 1899-01-29
BRYAN,S ANswER TO CROKER
Whom tho Tnmmany Chief Said "DroI
Free Silver" in 1sDS-Iiuth and Naomi.

Free Silverp in ISDS-Iiuth and Naomi.
When, in March. 1898. 1t was proposed that
Bryan should make a speech here under the
auspices of Tammany Hall. Willis j. Abbot
went to see Richard Croker about it. Mr..
Abbot said yesterday:
''Mr Croker asked me to write Mr.. Bryan
and find out whether he would be willing to
speak in New York but refrain from discuss
ing the money question. / wrote Mr.. Bryan
accordingly and received letter in reply.
This letter l read to Mr.. Croker in order that
he might have no illusion concerning Mr..
Bryans position. As Mr.. Croker has now def
nitely antagonized the Democrats who hold to
the Chicago platform. it is the belief of many
friends Of Mr.. Bryan that this letter. in which
he declares that New York Democrats should
show their.hands or accept the hostility.o the
mem mberssof the party in the South and West.
should be made public"
This is the letter of Mr. Bryan. dated March
10. 1898:
MY DEAR Mr.. ABBoT: am Just in receipt
OF your letter. Please say to Mr. Croker that
April 13.
At that time ! shall be pleased to meet him
and talk over the political situation. IT, as l
have heard, he is compelled to leave for
Europe before that time. express my regret to
him.
l appreciate his invitation to speak there,
but he will. upon reflection. realize that |
could not afford To- make a speech upon the
lines suggested. The national platform de-
clares the money question TO be the paramount
issue and fully indorse that declaration. So
any Goa sata n4E 20 obnnHn abrGH 4b be
platform. While the Democrats of the West
and South have no right to force the national
platform upon the people of New York. yet the
Democracy of the nation does have right to
expect the Democrats of New York to stand by
the platform or announce their hostility. We
ought to know whether the New York Democ-
racy means peace or war.
To ignore. the, national platform in the State
Convention will be notice that the Demo-
crats of New York are hostile to that platform.
but lack the courage to declare it openly.
1900. and l.. for one, would like to know as
soon as possible whether we are to regard the
II the Democrats Of New York invite me 'G; to
shall accept the invitation with pleasure, but it
must be with the understanding that / shall
not be restricted as to subjects discussed. |
do not care to be guest where the Chicago
platform is denied a hearing
-. l believe that the restoration of bimetal-
lism is necessary and tlat l0 to is the only
and l have no right to expect fnvors from
those who are hostile to this doctrine. | can
say to bimetalsm at ~ TO ae Ruth said to
Naomi: Entreat me not to leave thee or to
thou goest will go; aud where thou lodGest
and thy o my where my est wifi
l die. and there will be buried the Lord do
so to me. me. and more also. if auGht but death
No one Is compelled to accept my Judgment
put must myself be guided by i. and in my
judgment the attempt to chain the nation to
gold standard is so cruel and wicked that
would be beneath contempt il should trade
my convictions upon this subject for any po-
litical advantage which the New YORK Demo
Gratis might be willing to offer.
Let me add another word: 1t is not only
right that the New York State Convention
should stand by the Chicago PLATFORM but it is
good politics. BimetQllism will be as strong
Is now in the West and South. and the sooner
the Democracy of New York begins the
defence OF the Chicago platform the sooner
will the work Of education be comlleted.. To
and South indorSe it will have nll the force
OF declaration against the platform. and
such course will make it moro difficult to
indorse the platform hereafter.
We were EN- mbarrassed in the last campaign
by the fact that the Democrats of your State
went to Chicago TO oppose the platform which
was adopted. Unless the party in New York
expects to repeat this experiment in 1900. it
should lose no time in taking firm stand
upon the Chicago platform. In urging this
course upon Iammany and the Democracy OF
in New York has something at stake as well
as the party in the nation.
Tammany needs the Democracy of the ma
ton as much as the national party needs Tam
many and Tammany should recOgaize this
fact.
Democratic principles have too firm a hold
upon the plain people to give the party in any
them.
Democracy was defined at Chicago and the
definition Is 50 satisfactory that no material
change will be made in that definition for
years to come. l hone the New York Demo
crats-for their own good as well az for the
good OF the party and country at large-wl
Speedily bring themselves within the deiini-
W. j. BRYAN.