The San Francisco call., 1899-01-29
READ OUT OF THE PARTY
CONTENTS OF A LETTER MADE
PUBLIC.
Declared That if Tammany Repu-
dated the Chicago Platform
It Would Be Considered
Hostile.
Special Dispatch to The Call.


NEW YORK, Jan. 28.-The following
letter from William J. Bryan to Willis
J. Abbott, written in March, 1898, was
given out by Mr.. Abbott to-day Mr..
Abbott explains the circumstances in
connection with it as follows:
In March, 1895 some of Mr. Bryan's ad-
mirers in New York learned that he ex-
pected to be in the East in the following
month and would pass through New York.
They came to me, saying that a reception
should be rendered him and that he should
pe asked to speak. responded that in
my opinion the regular Democratic or
gamzaton should be the one to give the
reception and that MIR. Bryan ought not
10 be asked to speak under my auspices.
1 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 l wrote to Mr.. Croker at the
Democratic Club, in order that he might
nave no illusion concerning Mr.. Bryan's
position. AS Mr.. Croker has now definite
ly antagonzed the Democrats who hold
TO the chicago. platform, it is the belief
or many friends of Mr.. BRYAN that, this
letter in which he declares that New
York Democrats should show their hands
or accept the hostility of the members of
me party in the South and West should
be made public:
.,,,.,,. March 16. 1898.
Willis ]. Abbott, New York-NIy Dear
Abbott: l am just in receipt of your let
not be able to come East until about
April l3. At that time / shall be pleased to
meet him and talk over the political situ-
6; ati6on; H. as | have heard, he. is COM
pelled to leave for Europe before that
time, express my. regret to him.
appreciate his invitation to speak
there, but he Will, upon reflection, realize
that L could not afford to make a speech
upon the lines suggested. The national
platform declares the money question to
be the paramount issue and l fully in
dorse that question; So believing l could
not directly or indirectly encourage any
State TO abandon the national 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 an
nounCe their hostility. We ought to know
whether the New York Democracy means
peace or war.
ITO ignore the national platform in
State convention will be notice that the
Democrats of New York are hostile to
that platform, but lack the courage to de-
clare 1t openly.
The platform of 1896 will be reaffirmed
in 1900, and l for one would like to know
as soon as possible whether we are to re-
gard the New York Democrats as allies
or enemies. II the Democrats OIL New
York invite me to speak while in the East
/ shall accept the invitation with pleas
ure, but it must be with an understanding
that l shall not be restricted as TO the
subject of discussion. | do not care to be
guest where the Chicago platform is
denied a hearing.
Il believe that the restoration of BIZ
metallism is necessary and that 16 to l is
the only ratio at which bimetallism can
be restored, and l have no right to eX-
pect favors from those who are hostile
~ Il twin GOV An hfFNl.n fol 1fe1N
at 16 TO l as Ruth said to Naomi: En-
treat me not to leave thee, or to return
from following after thee; for whittier
thou goest / Will go, and where thou
lodgest will lodge. Thy people shall be my
people and thy God my God. Where thou
diest will die and there will l 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 Judg-
ment and / must myself be guided by II,
and in my judgment the attempt to chain
the nation to a gold standard is so cruel
and wicked that l would be beneath con-
tempt If l should trade my convictions
upon this subject for any political ad-
vantage which the New York Democrats
might be willing to offer.
Let me add another word: 1t is not
only right that the New York State con-
vention should stand by the Chicago plat
form. but it is good policy. Bimetallism
will be as strong in New York when 1t is
fully understood as it is now in the West
and South and the sooner the Democracy
of New York begins the defense of the
Chicago platform the sooner the work
of education will be completed. To ig
more the platform when all the States
west and south indorse it will have all the
force of a declaration against the plat
form, and such a course will make it
more difficult to indOrse the platform
hereafter
we were embarrassed in the last cam
paign 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 eXDcctS To reDoat tbiS
experiment in 1900 1t should lose no time
IN taking firm stand upon the Chicago
platform. In urging this course upon
Tammany and the Democracy OF New
York 1 ought to suggest that the party
in New York has something at stake as
well as the party in the nation
''Tammany needs the Democracy of the
nation as much as the national party
needs Tammany. and Tammany should
recognize this fact Democratic princi-
pies have too firm 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