Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-29
BRYAN ON NEW YORK DEMOCRACY.
Necessity of Maintaining National
Party Platform.

given out by Mr. Abbott to-day Mr.
Abbott explains the circumstances in con-
nection with ii as follows
IN March. 1888. some OF Mr.. Bryan's
admirers in New York learned that he ex-
pected TO be in the East 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 be asked TO speak re-
sponded that in my opinion the regular
Democratic organization should be the
one TO give the reception. and that Mr..
Bryan ought not 10 be asked to speak
under any other auspices.
Il 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 I'm New York, but refrain
from discussing the money question
wrote 10 Mr.. Bryan accordingly. and re-
ceived 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 position and as Mr.. Croker has
| now definitely antagonized the Democrats
who hold to the Chicago platform. il is
the belief Of many friends of Mr.. Bryan's
! that this letter. in which he declares that
| New York Democrats should show their
hands or accept the hostility of the mem
bers of the party in the South and West,
should be made public" Here is the let
! ter from Mr.. Bryan:
March IS. 1888.
willis J. Abbott, New York:
"My Dear Abbott am just in re-
ceipt of your letter. Please say 10 Mr.
Croker that l shall not be able to come
East until about April 18th. At that time
l shall be pleased to meet him and talk
over the political situation. IT, as l have
! heard. he is compelled to leave for Eu-
rope before that time, express my regret
to him.
CAN'T IGNORE PARTY PLATFORM
Il appreciate his invitation to speak
there, but he will, upon reflection, realize
that | could not afford 10 make speech
upon the lines suggested. The national
platform declares the money question to
be the paramount issue, and / fully en-
dorse that declaration. So believing,
could not directly or indirectly. encour-
age 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 ma
ton does have a right TO expect the
Democrats of New York TO stand by the
platform or announce their hostility to IT,
I've 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 Demo-
Gratis 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 as possible whether we
are to regard the New York Democrats
as allies or enemies. If the Democrats of
New York invite me to speak in New
York city while in the East. l shall ac-
cept the invitation with pleasure, but 1t
must be with the understanding that
shall not be restricted as TO the subjects
10 be discussed. l do not wish to be a
guest where the Chicago platform is de-
MED a hearing. l believe that the resto-
ration of bimetallism is necessary. and
that 16 to is the only ratio at which BIZ
metallsm can be restored and / have no
right to expect favors from those who are
hostile to this doctrine. | can say TO BIZ
metallism at 16 to l as Ruth said to
/ Naomi 'Entreat me not to leave thee, or
to return from following after thee for
whittier thou goest l will go. and where
thou lodgest I will lodge Thy people
shall be my people, and thy God my God.
| Where thou diest will l 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, but 1 must myself be guided by
it. and in my judgment the attempt TO
chain the nation to a gold standard is so
cruel and wicked that l would be beneath
contempt if l should trade my convic-
lions upon this subject for any political
advantage which the New York Demo
Gratis might be willing TO offer.
NEW YORK DEMOCRACY'S INTEREST
Let me add another word II 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 u
Is fully understood as it is now III the
West and South, and the sooner the De
mocracy of New York begins the defence
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
nlatform. and such course will make It
more difficult to endorse the platform
hereafter.
..yve were embarrassed in the last cam
naign by the fact that the Democrats
~ your state went TO Chicago 10 oppose
The platform which was adopted uhieSS
~ Marty in New York expects to repeat
,,is experiment In 1900 1; should lose no
,,roo IN taking firm stand upon 'he
chicago platform. In urging TINS cou''e
Tammany and the Democracy oil
-, YORK. | ought to suggest tha' 'ne
An New York has something al
100 az well as the party In the ha''oi'
rammany needs the Democracy u '"e
Ito, as much as the nationai p'',S
-, ,,armany. and Tammany shouiu