The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-08-18

"A - j NOlVO
Editor Independent: Immediately
upon the adjournment of the demo-
cratic convention wrote Col. w. J..
Bryan the following letter:
my heart sank with disappointment
when ! read in the papers that you
intend supporting the Parker pluto
cratic party.
"There is absolutely no hope for
the suffering millions, in this land,
who are being robbed by the trusts;
and Parkers election would in no
sense bring them any relief. He is
owned by Wall street, and would as
soon expect relief and reform from
Hades as from Parker. What need is
there for two republican parties-two
monopoly parties?
Il note that you say you will UNI
dertake to organize after the cleo
ton Tor 1908. How much better 1t
would be to organize new party
now, founded on honesty and true
democracy? Others may pursue any
course they wish, but as for me,
shall not knowingly do anything tor
enthrone plutocracy in this country.
| shall support the principles which
have advocated for years by voting
for Watson and Tibbles. can see
absolutely no difference between
Roosevelt and Parker, SO far as their
opposition to plutocracy is concerned.
/ have supported you cheerfully and
Loyalty in two campaigns, but | can
not follow you in supporting the spur
ious democracy represented by Park
er and | predict that thousands of
your friends will do as l shall do"
1t was not presumption on my part
that prompted me to write this letter,
because | have known Colonel Bryan
since 1896. and have met him fire.
quently since that time, also have had
some correspondence with him. In
1896 and 1900 was a delegate at
large from this state to both national
conventions of the peoples party.
Recognizing in Mr.. Bryan an able,
fearless and honest champion of the
true principles OF Jefferson, which the
peoples party advocated, i was will
ing, in order to see these principles
enacted into law, to put principle
above party and nominate Colonel
Bryan, though he was of different
political party. In 1896 when repub-
lican senators and representatives in
congress left the republican party on
account of the gold standard, Colonel
Bryan and the democratic press gen.
orally applauded their course in. stand
ing by their convictions and refusing
to surrender them at the behest OF
their party. In 1900 Colonel Bryan in
a speech in the state of West Virginia,
lauded Senator Wellington, republi
can, for refusing to stand with his
party on the issue of Imperialism.
Now, it seems to me, when the crucial
test came at St. Louis recently, Col
Onel Bryan should have pursued the
same course for which he praised, in
strong terms, these leaders who left
their party rather than surrender
their convictions. His speeches, prior
to the assembling of the convention,
certainly created the impression on
my mind that his principles were
dearer to him than any political or
ganization. From his speech which
he delivered in Lincoln, Neb., jan
uary 1S, Colonel Bryan is quoted as
follows: Instead of talking of con-
cessions and compromises it is time
for honest and aggressive action.
Shall we accept Imperialism as
an accomplished fact to appease those
who are willing to endorse govern
ment without consent of the gov
erned?' There can be no thought of
such surrender. Shall we abandon our
advocacy of bimetalism to conciliate
those who defeated the party in ali
campaigns? Never! No reform OF
any kind would be possible with the
money changers in control Of the
party"
From the New York Journal of