Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1899-03-31
BRYAN'S LETTER
TO BELMONT BUT AREAFFlRMA-
OF HIS STEADFAST POLICY.

There Can Be No Other Test of Democracy
Than the National Platform-The Party
Has Right to Expect Its Adherents to
Stand SquareIy on the Platform or Step
Aside
The invitation of Perry Bel mont to
VIM. Jennings Bryan to participate in
the goldbug banquet in New York on
Jefferson's day, afforded an opportun-
ity for him to place before the country,
in authoritative form, the opinion
expressed more than year ago, re-
garding the relative positions of some
leaders claiming to be Democrats in
the Empire State and the National
Democratic party.
That expression was made in let
ter to Willis J. Abbott, of New York,
written on March lG, 1898. Mr.
a. explains the circumstances in con.
nection with it, rs follows:
"In March, 1898, some of Mr..
Bryan's 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 that reception should be
rendered him and that he should be
asked to speak. 1 responded that in
my opinion the regular Democratic
organization should be the one to give
the reception, and that Mr.. Bryan
ought not to be asked to speak under
any other auspices. accordingly
consulted Mr.. Carroll, and was by him
referred to Mr.. Croker.
"Mr. Croker asked me to write to
Mr.. Bryan and find out whether he
would be willing to speak in New
York but refrain from discussing the
money question. l wrote to Mr..
Bryan accordingly, and received the
answer which follows. This letter |
sent to Mr.. Croker at the Democratic
Club, in order that he might have no
illusion concerning Mr.. Bryan's posi-
ton:
March 16, 1898.
willis J. Abbot, Esq, New York.
"My Dear Mr.. Abbot: lam 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 shall be pleased to meet
him and talk over the political situa-
ton. If, as l have heard, he is COM
PEELED to leave for Europe before that
time, express my regret to him.
al appreciate his invitation to
speak there, but he will upon reflection
realize that could not afford to make
speech upon the lines suggested.
The national platform declares the
money question to be the paramount
issue, and l fully endorse that declara-
ton. So believing that l could not
directly or indirectly encourage any
State to abandon the national plat.
form.
"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 hos
tility. 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 hos
tile to the platform but lack the cour.
age to declare it openly. The plat.
form OF 1896 will he reaffirmed in 1900,
and for one would like to know as
soon as possible whether we are to re-
gard the New York Democrats as
allies or enemies.
"If the Democrats of New York in
vite me to speak in New York City
while in the East l shall accept the in
vitation with pleasure, but it must be
with the understanding that l shall
not be restricted as to the subject to
discuss. do not care to be guest
where the Chicago platform is denied
q hearing.
~ believe that the restoration of BIZ
metallism is necessary, and that lG to
l is the only ratio at which bimetal-
lism can be restored, and ] have no
right to expect favors from those who
are hostile to that doctrine.
"As Ruth said to Naomi: 'Entreat
me not to leave thee, or to refrain
from following thee. for whittier thou
goeth l will 60, and whittier thou
lodgest l will lodge; thy people shall
be my people and thy God my God.
Where thou diest will die, and there
will 1 be buried; the Lord do so to me,
and more also, if aught but death part
thee and me.
"No one is compelled TO accept my
judgment, and l must myself be guld-
ed by it, and in my judgment the at
tempt to chain the nation to gold
standard is so cruel and wicked that l
would be beneath contempt if should
trade my convictions on this subject
for any political advantage which the
New York Democrats might be willing
to offer.
! "Let me add another word. 1t is