The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-29
BiMETALLISM OR NOTHING.
BRYAN REFUSED TO SPEAK AND
LEAVE THAT SUBJECT OUT.

Welded Ia BimctnIIism at 16 to L
aud Would MIKE No speech IGnor-
ing It-Lettcr Given Out as 4 SORE
OG an Answer to CrOker's Recent
Statements.
New York Jan. 2s.-The following letter
from William j. Bryan to Willis J. Alb
bott written in March, 1898. was given out
by Mr. Abbott to-day. Mr. Abbott ex-
plains the circumstances in connection
with 1t as follows:
I'm March, 1898, some of Mr.. Bryan's adj
mircrs in New York learned that he ex-
pceted to be in the East in the following
month and would pass through New York.
They came 20 me. saying that a recep-
ton should be rendered him, and that ha
should be asked to speak
IL 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 90 speak
under any other auspices l accordingly
consulted Mr.. Carroll and was by him
referred TO Mr.. Croker Mr.. Croker asked
me to write to Mr.. Bryan and dnd OUT
whether he would De willing to speak in
the money question. wrote to Mr. Bry-
an accordingly, and received the answer,
which follows
This letter ] wrote to Mr.. Croker et tho
Democratic Club In order that he might
make no mistake concerning Mr. Bryan's
position. AS Mr. Croker now dennitelv
antagonzes the Democrats who hold To-
the Chicago platform, it is the belief OF
many friends of Mr.. Bryan that this lei
ter in which he declares that New York
Democrats should show their hands or nc
cept the hostility OF the members Of the
party in the South ana West, should be
made public:"
said He Could Not Afford II.
March 16, 1S98.-Wlls J. Abbott, New
YorkMy Dear Mr.. Abbott: am tust
in receipt of your letter. Please say to
Mr.. Croker that / shall not be able 10
come East until about April 13. At that
time I shall be pleased 10 meet him and
talk over the political situation If, as
have heard, he Is compelled to leave for
Europe before that ime, 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 ma
tional platform declares the money dues-
endorse that declaration So believing, I
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 ma
tlonal platform upon the people of New
York, yet the Democracy of the nation
does have a right TO expect the Demo-
Gratis Of New York TO stand by the plat
form or announce their hostility TO It. We
ought 10 know whether the New York
Democracy means peace or war
ITO ignore the national platform IN q
state convention win be notice that the
Democrats of New York are hostile to that
platform, but lack the courage 10 declare
It openly. The platform Of 96 Will be re-
affirmed in 1900, and /, for one, would like
to know as soon as possible whether we
are to regard the New York Democrats as
allies or enemies. If the Democrats oe
New York invite me to speak in New York
while in the East ] shall accept the invi-
tailon with pleasure, but II must be with
the understanding that shall not be re-
stricted as to the subject 20 be discussed.
/ do not care 10 be a guest where ths
Chicago platform Is denied hearing
As Ruth Said to NaOma.
"I believe that the restoration of blmet-
allism IL necessary, and that 10 to ] 10
the only ratio at which bimetallism can
be restored, and have no right to expect
favors from those who are hostile to this
doctrine. / can say to bimetallism at 10
to ] as Ruth said to Naomi: 'Entreat ma
not to leave thee, or to return from fol-
lowing after thee, for whittier thou goest,
] win go, and where thou lodgest, / wM
lodge. Thy people shall be my people, and
Thy God my God Where thou diest win
die, and there will ! be buried. The Lord
do so to me and more also II aught but
death part thee and me-
mo one Ia compelled 10 accent nv ftid0~
ment, and I must myself be guided by IL.
ana In my judgment the attempt 10 chain
the nation TO a gold standard Is 50 cruel
and wicked that / would be beneath con-
tempt f l should trade my convictions
upon this subject for any political advan-
tage which the New York Democrats
might be willing TO offer.
Let me add another word: II is rot
only right that the New York state con-
vention should stand by the Chicago plat
form, but Il Is good policy. BimetaHism
viii be as strong IN New York when 1t is
fully understood as 1t Is now in the West
and South, and the sooner the Democ-
racy OF New York begins tho defense OF
the Chicago platform the sooner the work
OF education will be completed. To ignore
the platform when all the states West
and South endorse it will have all the
force Of a declaration against the plat
form, and such a course win make It more
difficult 10 endorse the platform hereafter.
Party Must Hold Together.
1--WE were embarrassed IN the last cam
palgn 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, II should lose no time
ia taking a firm stand upon the Chicago
platform. In urging this course upon
Tammany and the Democracy of New
York / ought 20 suggest that the party
in New York has something at stake as
well as the party in the nation.
"Tammany needs the Democracy of tho
nation as much as the national party needs
Tammany, and Tammany should recognize
this fact. Democratic principles have too
firm a hold upon the plain people to give
the party in any section any promise OF
success by abandoning them. Democracy
was defined at Chicago, and the definition
Is SO satisfactory that no material change
will be made in that definition for years to