Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1904-07-15
ROWAN sIJRRENDERs TO THE GOLD-BUdS.

For wears. William Jennings Bryan mas oeeh
almost idolized by the Democrats OF tne ".''
and by many thousands in the East ana oou'n
A large majority of the Populists OF the coun.
trv have sworn by him and trusted in him. All
of these people-six millions OF votels-na'e
been looking to Bryan to 'lead them ont Oh 'ne
wilderness" And what has he done to repay
the trust thus reposed in him? He has betrayed
them. No other word will fit the case. ne
has surrendered principle and political hono'
for the sake of HIS PARTY. He mas Ioae'y
thrust aside the love and conhdlng trust OF
those people at the behest OF the men ne mas
fought, or who have fought him, tor years ne
has completely surrendered to the enemy.
Mr.. BRYAN did not want to desert his frlenos
and staunch supporters who have fought win
him and for him through two campaigns Out
he thought more of his party han OF his coun'
try. Harmony" in the patty was OF more
consequence to him than the continuation OF
the FIGHT for principle which he has bravely
waged. He has exhorted tbs people, IN MS
speeches and through his paper, to be trne 10
principle, first, last and all the time.
Mr.. Bryan opposed Parker-said he was
Cleveland S candidate, and no better than CieVe'
land. He has given his readers to understand
through The Commoner, that be would not
support Parker, for that would be equivalent TO
supportinp Cleveland. And Of course, no one
supposed, even for one moment that bryan
would ever abandon silver. Any one VINO
would have suggested such thing would have
been considered fit subject for the insane asy-
lum. Such thing was not to be thought OF.
But what a change!
The idol of the silver forces was OF clay, al
ter all, and it has fallen and broken.
AS we have before stated, Mr.. Bryan did not
want to abandon his friends AID the principles
for which he has so long contended. He was
member of the committee on resolutions, and
made brave fight to uphold them. He appa-
rertly succeeded in keeping Dave Hilrs gold
plank out of the platform. He also induced
the committee to adopt several minor matters.
But he practically endorsed Parker and Davis,
the nominees, in spite of his knowledge OF the
fact that both are friends OF the trusts. we
can find no excuse for this surrender of princi-
pie. 1t was cowardy, to say the least, and Mr..
BRYAN can never again enjoy the full confidence
of the people who have so fully trusted him.
It is stated that Mr.. Bryau is preparing a
statement in exploration of his action, but no
explanation he can make will s,tisfy those who
trusted him and have been deceived.
I,ATER.-.Since the above was in type, Mr..
Bryan has given out statenn mt, IN when ne
says he will support Parker aod Davis because
the Democratic ticket stands opposed to impe-
rialism; because Roosevelt has injected the race
question into politics; because Roosevelt stands
for the spirit. of war, and b cause the Demo
cratic platform pledges reduction of the stand
ing army. He gives notice that he has aot
abandoned the fight OIL economic questions,
and that as soon as the camp rgn is over, he
: will begin organizing the pas'y to the support
of radical and progressive policy. Mr.. Bryan
says:
ssFor the reasons stated, | feel justified in
supporting the ticket, but shall not misrepre-
sent the situation or appeal for votes for the
ticket upon false grounds. + Democratic VIC
tory will mean very little, If any, progress on
economic questions as long IS the party is I'M
del the control of the Wall street element. On
the money question, Mr.. Parker is as thorough
" committed to the side of The hnanciers as
Mr.. Roosevelt. If he does not go as far as the
Republicans would in retiring silver dollas, in
establishing branch banks, i'll enlarging the
powers of the national banks, and IN the sub
stitution of an asset currency tor the present
currency, it will be because he is restrained by
the Democrats in the house and senate. Moth
ing good can be expected of him on the money