The evening times., 1900-09-18
Mr. Brynn TO the People.

In preparing his formal letter Of ac
ceptance Mr.. Bryan has had the good
sense not TO thresh over the old straw OF
his speech of acceptance. but has con-
fined his text almost exclusively to issues
and topics which were then not treated
at length The consequence is that we
have a document which does not bury
what its author wishes to say to the
country under a mountain of words. and
one which is short enough to ensure its
being read-sopething which could not
be said for the letter of acceptance issued
by the Republican candidate.
Perhaps the portion of Mr.. Bryan's let
ter which Will attract the widest atten-
ION is that in which once mere he asserts
his intention not to seek q reelection,
should he be given a term in the White
House by the American people in NoYem
beT On this point his language is clear
and unmistakabIe He says:
''In my letter of acceptance of 1896. made the
following pledge:
so deeply am impressed with the magnitude
OF the power vested by the Constitution IN the
Chief Executive of the nation and with the enor-
nous influence which he can yield for the hene-
tit injury OF the people, that / Wis: 10 enter
the office. il elected free from any pe~s0ai deslle,
except the CtsIre to prove worthy Il me con-
idence OF my couutTymen- Human -'Ri=- neHt Is
allible eEough when unbiased by selfish con
sideratiors, and, IN order that Ray not be
tempted to the patronage OF the Office to dd-
any personal ambition. ! hereby announce,
with all the emphasis which w"r,is can eNpte=s,
ny hstd determination rot, under any CiTcun-
stances, be candidate FOR reelection. IN case
tnis campaign results in my election. 20.
Further reflection and observation c6astraIn
10 renew this pledge
Such sentiments, we are sure, will
meet with the hearty approval of all
right-m nded americans. The respect
which even his political enemies entertain
for Mr. Bryan's sincerity and rugged hon
esty, is evidence enough that no doubt
will be felt anywhere that. i elected. he
will do exactly what he pledges himself to
do. That would be vastly helpful in
bringing our Executive back to the purity,
simplicity and patriotism of the days OF
Washington and Jefferson. More often
than not, in late generations a President
in his first term has thought of little
else than his prospects for denomination
and reelection. To accomplish these ends
he has frequently sacrificed his principles
and his conceptions of right and duty. He
has winked at corruptions, maintained vi
cious or criminal persons in office, pros
tituted his patronage and his veto power.
and left an evil record for his administra-
tion behind him. 1t it were constitution
ally impossible for a President to succeed
himself, most of these temptations, to
ignore or evade duty, and to tel
crate evil men and evil things, would
be non-existent. Then there would
be a distinct and powerful induce
ment for him to devote his time and
talents unseIfshIy to the good of his coun-
try, and to achieve the satisfaction of a
worthy ambition in making his term of
office notable in national history for wise
and economical government.
The other issues and topics discussed by
Mr.. Bryan-the trusts, the currency, cleo
zion OF Senators by the people, labor, the
Nicaragua Canal, the Monroe Doctrine
the Territories, Cuba, foreign alliances,
income taxation-are all handled in the
straightforward, lucid, and logical manner
peculiar to the Democratic candidate. His
views upon all of them are already famil-
lar TO the public, through the general pub
Iication of the letter this morning, and do
not require editorial discussion at this
time