The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-01-30
COL. BRTANs VIEWS
On the Palitical Situation Ex-
pressed In a letter to VIII.
lis Abbott.

New York. Jan. 2s-The following letter
ron w. j. Bryan to Willis J. Abbott,
written On March IN 1885 was given out
by Mr Abbot today. Mr. Abbott explains
the circumstances IN connection with 81
as follows
I'm March, isss. some Of Mr. Bryan's
ladmlrers in New York learned that no
IeNpected 70 De IN the east IN the follow
Ing month and would pass through New
York They came TO me saving that re-
lcoptIon should be rendered him and that
lhc should be asked TO speak. I responded
chat. DO my opinion the regular Democrat
is organization should be the one to give
thr reception and that Mr. Bryan ought
mot to be asked to speak under our aus
lplces ] consulted Mr. Carroll ana was BY
Preferred by him % Mr. Croker Mr. Croker
asked me TO write to Mr., nyan and find
Tout whether ho would be willing to speak
Iiu New York but refrain from discussing
the money question 7 wrote 90 Mr. Bry-
Ian accordingly and received the answer
which follows
This letter I wrote TO Mr. Bryan AZ tho
democratic club IN order that he might
have no Illusion concerning Mr.. Bryan's
position.
March 10. 1898
willis ] Abbott. New York
My Dear Mr. Abbott; ! am just in re-
cclpt of your letter. Please say 70 Mr.
! Croker that 7 shall not be able 70 come
east until about April ia Az that time
shall De pleased 20 meet him and talk
over the political situation. n. as I have
learned he IS compelled to leave for Eu-
rope before that time, express my re-
lerct Go him
'I appreciate ha Invitation 20 speak
there but nc wi1 upon reflection. rca-
lzc that I cannot afford 20 speak upon
the lines sugresied. The national plat
form declares The money question 10 DO
the paramorn; ISSUE and / fully endorse
that decIarrhou SO. believe I could not
Idrecuy or Indirectly ensourhge any state
ltJ abandon the national platform. While
the democrats of the west and south have
Iuo rrht 90 force the national platform
upqn tbc people OF New York yet tho
democracy OF The nation does have
lrFlb 20 cEpect the democrats OF New
York To- stand bv the platform or an
lpeupce their hostility We ought 20 know
whether the New York democracy means
peace or war.
"To ignore tho national platform IN IA
!
! omocrats of New York are hostile to
taat platform. but mok the courage 60
declare Ct optciv
"Thc platform OF tSaS win be re-afnrm-
/ cd u 1900 and ] Tor one. would like 90
INuow us soon as possible whether we are
go regard the New York democrats as
Ialuos or enemies II tho democrats or New
/ York invite me 20 speak ln New York
ICIty. shall accept the invitation with
pleasure but Il must Boz with the under
| standing that I shall not be restricted
/ ,s 20 the subject Of discussion. do not
care to hc "a guest where the Chicago
/ platform Us denied hearing.
| "l believe that restoration OF bimetaI-
Iusm BE- necessary. and thta 1e TO Is
the only ratio at which bimetallism can
Doe restored. and ! have no right 10 ex-
\ pect favors from those who are hostile
to this doctrine. ! can say TO bimetallsm
la Ruth said 10 Naomi: Entreat me not
| 20 leave thee or 20 return from Following
laftcr thee for whittier thou goest. viii
co. and whittier thou lodgest. Will lodge
/ Thy people shall be my people. ana thy
/ God. my God. The Lord DO so 10 me and
more also n aught but death part mo
| and thee
! "No one ls compelled 20 accept my iudg-
lmcut uad } must myself bc guided by Il,
ud n my Judgment the attempt 70 chain
Ilhe nation 90 O. gold standard is so cruel
land wicked that ! would be beneath con-
ltcmpt II ! should trade my convictions up
on this subject Tor any political advan-
| Itage the New York democrats might be
willing 20 oter.
let me add another word.
II is not only right that the New York
I
| Chicago platform but t Is good policy.
B meta ism win be- stroag in New York
when q Is fully wnder2tood as it rs now
/ u the west and south, "A ndtrc sooner the
democracy Of New Yorp -ias the DO.
| fense of th' oaro platform tAo sooner
tine work on 'Hl hs completed.
TO ignore tiq D'atf1rm when all the sttes
/ west and south endorse it win have an
lthe force of dec arauon against the
platform ana such course win make
90 more difficult 10 endorse the platform
hereafter.
we were embarrassed IN the last cam
palEn by the fact that the democrats Of
of your state went 20 Chicago 70 oppose
the platform which waa adopted. Unless
the party iu New YORK expects 70 repeat
this experiment ln 1910 % should lose no
Time iu taking urm stand upon the
Chicago platform. iu urging this course
upon Tammany and the democracy OF
New York ought 90 suggest that the
party ln New York has something az
stake as woi as the party ln the nation.
Tammauy needs Che democracy Of the
nation aa much as the national party
needs Tammany. ana Tammany should
recognize the act Democratic principals
have too dm hoid upon The plain peo-
ple to fIvo tbe party ln auy section any
promise of success hy abandoning them.
I Democracy defined at Chicago and the
definition Oh ao satisfactory thar no ma
ter'al change 1911 bc made Do that don-
uitlon On years 90 come nope the New
s. ork democrats. for thelr good as well
| as fr the good % ine party. oad country
/ Iat orge wl speedily bring taemselves
Within thc de0uuu by giving an unquali-
| fed enforcement OF the Chicago platform.
Yours truly.
WILLIAM j. BRYAN
10 me Ohiahonia Rough hiders.