The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1899-02-03
STAND OR FALL
BY 16 TO 1 IDEAS
VIM. J. Bryan by Them as
Ruth Was to Naomi.
HIS LETTER WRITTEN LONG AGO
Says the Platform Of 1896 win Be Re
affirmed in 1909 Stand of New York
Democrats.

NEW YORK, Jan. 28.-The follow
ing letter from William J. Bryan to
Willis j. Abbott, written in March, |
1898, was given cut by Mr.. Abbott
to- day. Mr.. Abbott explains the |
circumstances in connection with 1t |
as follows:
"In March, 1898, some of Mr.. Bry-
ans admirers in New York learned |
that he expected to be in the East in /
the following month, and would |
pass through New York. They came |
to me, saying thata reception should |
be rendered him, and that he should |
be asked to speak. | responded, that
in my opinion, the regular Demo
cratic organization should be the one
to give the reception, ana that MIR.
Bryan ought not to be asked to speak
under any auspices.
Il accordingly consulted Mr., Car
roll, and was by him referred to Mr..
Croker. Mr.. Croker asked Inc to
write to Mr.. Bryan and find out
whether he would be willing to speak
in New York. but refrain from. dis
cus-mg the money question. | wrote
Y
ceived the answer which was as fol-
lows:
This letter wrote to Mr.. Croker
at the Democratic Club in order that
he might have no Illusion coucern-
ing Mr.. Bryan's position. AS Mr..
Croker has now definitely antagO
uiZed the Democrats who hold to
the Chicago platform, it is the be-
lief of many friends of Mr.. Bryan
that this letter, in which he declares
that New York Democrats should
show their hands or accept the hos
tilty Of the members of the party in
the South and West, should be made
public:"
March Is, I898.-Willis J. Abbott,
New York: My Dear Sir.-I am
just in receipt of your letter. Please
say to Mr.. Croker that | shall not be
able to come East until about April
13. At that time snail be pleased
to meet him and talk over the pOliti-
cal situation. If, as I have heard,
he is compelled to leave for Europe
before that time, express my regrets
to him.
II appreciate his invitation to
speak there, but he will upon ref1ec
tiOn realize that | could not afford
To make speech upon the lines sug-
gested. The national platform de-
clares the money question to be the
paramount issue, and / fully indorse
that declaration. So believing, [
could not directly or indirectly en-
courage any State to abandon the
national platform. While the Dem
| = "A Ia -,
right to force the national platform
upon the people of New York, yet
the Democracy of the nation does
have right to expect the Demo
Gratis of New York to stand by the
platform or announce their hostility
We ought to know whether the New
York Democracy means peace or
war.
"To ignore the national platform
IN a State convention will be notice
that the Democrats of New York are
hostile to THAT platform, but lack the
courage to declare it openly.
The platform of 1896 will be re-
. affirmed in 1900, and [ for one would
, like to know as soon 9s possible
: whether we are to regard the New
York Democrats as allies or enemies
/, If the Democrats of New York in
vite me to speak in New York City
l while in the East shall accept the
: invitation with pleasure, but it must
be with the understanding that
shall not be restricted as to the sub.
ject of discussion.
II do not care to De a guest where
9 the Chicago platform is denied 3
I hearing. [ believe that the restOra.
4 tion of bimetallism is necessary anC
that Is to is the only ratio at which
bimetallism can be restored, and
g have nc right to expect favors from
! those who are hostile to that doc
trine. | can say to bimetallism a
: l6 to as Rutl said to Naomi:
e Entreat me not to leave thee, Of
: to return from following after thee
for whittier thou goest, | will go
and where thou lodgest will lodge
Thy people shall be my people anC
. thy God my God. Where thou dies
! will [ die, and there will be buried
d The Lord do so to me and more ais,
i if aught but death part thee ant
me-"
{ mo one is compelled to accept m.
Q judgment, and, in my judgment, tn
# attempt to chain the nation to
r gold standard is so cruel and wicket
that | would be beneath contempt
). | should trade my convictions upOl
y this subject for any political All
;, vantage which the New York Demo
Gratis might be willing to offer.
Let me add another word: IL
n not only right that the New GOrI
:, State Convention should stand u.
y the Chicago platform, but it is goo
n policy. Bimetallism will be a
a strong in New York when IL is full
q understood as it is now in the Wes
and South, and the sooner tn
! Democracy of New York begins tn
d defense of the Chicago platform tn
% sooner the work of education will b
e completed.
q 10 ignore the platform when a
: the States West and South indOrs
10 it will have all the force Of