The Van Buren press., 1904-05-14

RIB WINFREl.
- JS GRAMMAR.
> VI HUGH MILLER.
Letter From William Jennings Bryan.
mdianapolis.-Wm. j. Bryan
has written the following letter to
Indiana Democrats through Judge
James McCabe, who is to be
Hearst delegate to the st. Louis
convention;
81 remember very distinctly
your part in the writing of the
Chicago platform and your loyalty
20 the ticket in 1900, and ! am
gratified. although not surprised,
to know that you fully realize the
Importance of the great contest
in which we are engaged-a con.
test more important, if possible,
than the contest of 1896, which
resulted in the reputation OF Mr.,
CleveIand's administration 10y the
Democratic party. Then the party
returned to virtue; after a dis
graceful alliance to Wall street
to fall now would We a deliberate
Welding to temptation aad would
denote a political instability which
would not only bring odium upon
the party, but endanger its chances
for success.
"These organizers, as you say,
have received some of our Demo.
Gratis and it has panied me to learn
from the newspapers that some of
the prominent Democrats of your
state have been caught in the trap.
But certainly the New York plat
form and the loud speaking silence
of Judge Parker ought to unde.
ceive them.
at is impossible to conceive of
a Democratic campaign fought on
n meaningless platform and under
ihe leadership of a muzzled candi-
date. The excuse that his judicial
position makes it improper for
him to discuss public questions is
a pitlful and contemptiblepretense.
Other Judges have not been so
hampered by judicial ethics, and
besides he can resign any day and
thus secure himself from the
imaginary restraint, If a Demo
cralic nomination is worth having
il is certainly worth resigning q
judgeship to secure. But the
Judges attack Of lockjaw does
not save him; actions speak
louder than words. You have
doubtless heard Of the simpleton
who, when leaving home, was told
by his mother that if he would not
say anything he could conceal
from others the fact that he was
foolish. When he returned he had
a sad report to make to his
mother.
"Its no use,n he cried. at was
found ont just the same | met a
man aud he asked me where |
lived and | did not answer, and
then he said: "What's the matter
with you; are you simpler It's
the right Of the members of his
party to know his views before
he receives n nomination than he
can question the right of the
~oters Of the country to know his
views when he goes forth as the
nominee Of his party. A Demo
cratic candidate can no more
Justify the evasion of public qncs'
tons before q nomination than he
eau afterward; for the members
of bis party have as much right Ia
know where he stands IA do the
members Of other parties. Judge
Parker would refuse TO consider
the case Of u litigant who would
ask a decision, while refusing TO
furnish any evidence or to cite any
law IN support Of his contention
aud It Is just MS absurd for Judge
Parker to expect the party to con
slider his application for nomjna'
ton when he wiDhholds the iacls
necessary for an intelligent de
termination Of the question of his
availability. If we were engaged
iu a sham battle, such tactics
might be resorted to, with leSs
serious consequences, but when
we are engaged IN u battle roya
between organized wealth ant
the common people, the cause o
the people cannot safely be ~
trusted 10 one who lacks either
political convictions or the cOur
age to make an honest, constant
and fearless attack upon Ia
renched privilege,
"fbe Democratic OF Indiana hny,
passed through many polillrN
CONFLICTS aud they viii surely no.
now engage IN n foot race viii
the Republicans to see which cal
get the farther away from tn,