Arizona republican., 1899-03-21
Does Not Consider Perry Bel-
 mont a Democrat.
DID NOT SUPPORT BILLY BOY
The Nebraska Gentleman Does Nof Believe if Possible for Hnyonc 10 Be a JefferSOnian Democrat Unless He Stands on inc Chicago PIafform-TheT TeIegramS Passed Between inc Two Gentlemen.

chattanooga, 1enn., March 2O.-Ine Hon. W. J. Bryan gave out the follow ing correspondence today to the As sociated Press, having been notified that it had not been made public by MT. Belmont MT Bryan stated that he had nothing to say about the mat ter, but that the correspondence spoke for itself:
 Champaign, H., March I6. 1899. Hon. Perry Belmont. President Dem
 ocratic Club, New York:
 Dear Sir: I received a few days ago, the following telegram:
 New York
 (" Hon. w J. Bryan Lincoln, Neb.: Tn arranging the toasts and responses at the banquet of the democratic club on JeffersOn's birthday, April IS, the committee are most desirous if your engagements will permit your attend ance to have you select such subject as you prefer to discuss in your own way. within the limit, for all speeches. cf twenty minutes. Please wire reply.
 PERRY BELMONT,
 President
 RICHARD CROKER,
 Chairman
 Upon my return to Nebraska I sent the following inquiry:
 "'Lincoln, Neb., March 13 Hon. Perry Belmont, Democratic . Club, New York:
 :" Invitation received. Remembering that you openly repudiated the demo- cratic platform in the last campaign, I desire ta know before answering your invitation. whether you have since the election, publicly announced your con- version to the principles set forth in that platform. W. J. BRYAN.
 t'I have just received this reply:
 ' The invitation extended to you is on behalf of the Democratic club. In dividual opinions have not been con sidered in issuing the invitations to celebrate the birthday of Thomas Jef- ferson. PERRY BELMONT ''I might plead a previous engage ment as reason for declining, but that would be equivalent to saying that I could come but for the engagement, but frankness compels me to add an other reason I appreciate a compli- ment which the Democratic club pays me in extending an invitation, but do not understand how individual opin- ions can be ignored at political gath ering. You are president of the club and represent the club before the pub lie. Your position upon public ques- tions was we'll known in 1896 and your telegram indicates that your position has not been changed. My position upon public questions Is also we'll known. AntagoEism between our P0- sitions is so great that we cannot with. join in a political Banquet given in honor of democracy's patron saint.
 Jefferson stood for certain we'll de fined principles If your views are the correct refief ton of his ideas I fear that my voice would sound a discord- ant note at your banquet. If, on the other hand, the Chicago platform ap- plies Gas I believe it does) Jeffer- Sonian principles to the present condis ditions, then your conspicuous pres ence at a Jeffersonian banquet would greatest democrat
 Do not misunderstood me. You may be right and I may be wrong, but take it for granted that we are equal y conscientious and I trust I may not show myself less courageous than you You proclaimed to your fellow citizens Il 1896 that my election upon the dem )cratic platform would endanger the nations welfare You will pardon me f I suggest that a banquet presided 'Ver by you will injuTe rather than id the democratic party. 1 believe in personal differences, but difference in principles cannot be har- and in my judgment, no party Ldvantage is to be derived from a pO- itical communion between Jefferson an democrats who stand upon the Chicago platform and the republican lilies who masquerade as democrats be- ween campaigns in order to give nore potency to their betrayal of dem 'cratic principles cn election day.
 Yours truly,
 "WILLIAM J. BRYAN"
 n