Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-09-07
REASONS
Why Mr.. OIney Will Support
Mr.. Bryan.
Country's Interests Demand Reversal Of Dan
gerous Policies and Return to
Wholesome Conditions.

New York, Sept. 7.--Richard Olney's
letter given out for publication yester.
day confirms the announcement that
he has advised Democrats to support
w. j. Bryan. 1t was written by Mr..
Olney to Fl. l.. Nelson, Of New Roch-
ellie, on Aug. "a, and is given out at this
time as a result of the publicity given
Mr.. Olney's change from sponsor of
President Mckinley to a supporter of
Mr.. Bryan.
The letter is as follows:
81 have yours of the 18th ult. You
refer to a previous conversation, in
which I had intlmated my intention to
vote the Democratic ticket at the com
ing presidential election, aud ask for
my grounds for 80 doing. You urged
at our interview that such a decision
should, as a matter Of duty, be accom-
panied by a willingness to avow the
reasons behind It. recognize the
force of that view, and, though it is
against my inclinations and habits, 1
proceed to state some considerations
which seem to me to justify the pur-
pose I have formed
II need hardly say that Mr.. Bryan
is not the candidate l should choose
could l have my way in the matter,
and that I entirely dissent from parts
Of the Kansas City platform.
But in laying his course upon the
all-important subject Of the presidency
citizen is bound to bear in mind that
he is dealing with practical matter
and must seek the best practical re-
suits through such legitimate practical
methods as are available. Parties can
not be ignored, for example, because
ours is government of parties; the
real issue is who then shall control, and
individual effort independent of party
must at best be abortive, while IL may
further the success of the worst party
in the field. So the choice between the
parties. one of which, must certainly
prevail, calls for the exercise Of the
on mn co,,, N, o,, sopeor s,s ~
Perfection in a candidate or plat
form is an idle dream, and infrmities
in its creed and defects in its leader
ship will always characterize every
party. But they in no wise excuse a
citizen from taking his assigned part
in the government Of the country
from making up his mind what the
demands and what
party's success will come nearest sat
isfying the demand, and from using
his influence and casting his vote ac,
cordingly.
IF one citizen may properly with
hold his vote legally, all may, and all
the wheels of government be stopped,
while to decline voting because practi-
cally assured that others will vote
is but to give the latter undue share
of political power and to forfeit the
right to complain of an abuse, of it.
The obligations of citizenship are
avoided, not performed, by standing
neutral in an election. The voting
power Is a trust which calls for use
and is violated by the neglect to use.
There is always chance between the
of one party's ascend
nncy and those of it's opponent, and
therefore the true question before ev-
cry citizen always is of the general
of party upon the vital
Issues of the day, and whether, in view
Of that attitude, It's success is not the
best thing in sight.
"Such is the real issue now con-
fronting every American citizen. Be
it admitted that the Democratic party.
It's platform and its candidate are'open
10 much just criticism, yet, all things
would not its triumph be
the best outcome of the present Pres
dental contest?
'In my judgment it would be. In
my Judgment nothing is now so i'm
portant as that the American people
should take this their first opportunity
10 emphatically protest against that