The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-07-16
BRYAN'S STATEMENT
Gives Four Reasons Why He Will
Vote For Parker and Davis.
THE TRUST PLANK NrLLIFIED


On Economic Questions, as Parker
Is as Much Committed to Finanelers
as Roosevelt.
Lincoln. Neb.. July 13.-W. J. Bryan
gave out the following statement:
81 shall vote for Parker and Davis.
the nominees of the Democratic ma
tional convention. and shall do go for
the following reasons;
"First-Bpcause the Democratic tick
ct stands for opposition 10 Imperial
ism, while the Republican ticket stands
for an imperialistic policy. On this
question. which was the paramount
issue in 1900. and which must remain
an important issue 50 long az an at
tempt is made to hold colonies under
the American flag, on this issue the
convention was unanimous. the plat.
form emphatic. and have no doubt
that the candidate will carry out the
platform.
Second Mr., Roosevelt Is injecting
the race question into American poll
tics. and this issue. il it becomes ma
tiOnal. will make it impossible To con
slider economic questions that demand
solution. The election of the Demo
cratic ticket will put quietus on this
attempt and permit the race question
20 work Itself out without the bitter
ness which Mr.. ROoseYelts conduct
has engendered.
"Third-Mr. Roosevelt stands for
the spirit OF war. His friends present
him az man of blood and iron. lie
believes in strenuOusnesS and incul.
Gates il love for warlike things The
Democratic ticket stands for peace.
for reason and for arbitration. rather
than for force. conquest and buster.
"FOurlh-The Democratic platform
declares in favor OF the reduction OF
the standing army. and as this plank
was unanimously adopted, there is
reason to believe that a Democratic
success on this subject would bring
some advantage to the people.
For these four reasons | feel justi-
fed in supporting the ticket. but I
shall not misrepresent the situation
or appeal for votes for the ticket upon
false grounds. A Democratic victory
will mean very little II any progress
on economic questions so long as the
party Is under the control of the Wall
street element. On the money ques-
ton Mr.. Parker Is as thoroughly com
mitted to the side OF the financiers as
Mr.. Roosevelt. II he does not go as
far as the Republicans would in re-
firing silver dollars in establishing
branch banks. in enlarging the powers
OF the national banks, and In the sub
stitution of an asset currency for the
present currency. il will be because
he Is restrained by the Democrats in
the house and senate Nothing good
can be expected Of him on the money
question.
ION the trust question the Demo-
cratic platform Is very much better
than the Republican platform, but the
nomination OF Judge Parker virtually
nullifies the antitrust plank Unless
in his letter OF acceptance he commits
himself 20 attempt antitrust legisla-
ton. we need not expect him 20 DuT-
sue a different course from that pur
sued by President Roosevelt.
80 far as the labor questions are
concerned, we must await Judge Per.
kpr's letter before we shall know
whether the labOring man has any
thing 10 expect from his election. The
labor plank as prepared by Judge Par
ker's friends on the subcommittee
was a straddling, meaningless plank.
In the committee planks were adouted
favoring arbitration against in1unc-
tions. etc. II Judge Parker is silent
or ambiguous on this question. IL will
mean that the Wall street element
will not allow him to take a stand
favorable to the worldngman.
Regarding the tariff questions, 1t
remains TO be seen whether Judge Par
ker will carry out the positive and
definite plank which was submitted
by the full committee. This is the
situation.
"After having stated that shall
support the ticket. and after having
given my reasons for so doing, think
Il due 20 the Democrats Of the nation
10 say that, while the fight on eco
monte questions is postponed, II is
not abandoned As soon as the cleo
ton IS over | shall. with the help OF
those who believe as | do. undertake
to organize for the campaign OF 1908.
the object being to marshal the friends
OF popular government within the
Democratic party to the support OF
radical and progressive policy to make
the Democratic party an efficient
means In the hands of loyal Democrats
to defeat the purposes OF the pluto
Gratis who are attempting to direct its
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