The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1904-04-25
BRYAN AT CHICAGO
Nebraskan Is In Favor Of No
Particular Candidate.
SCORED PARKER AND THE PLATFORM
New York Platform Fit Only For n
Dishonest Pnrty-It should Not BE
Assumed Hearst and Parker
Are the Only Possibilities.

Are the Only Possibilities.
CHICAGO, April -. - William ].
Bryan's address to large audience in
the armory of the Second infantry
here is the talk of the day in political
circles.
Mr. Bryan was particular to have 1t
understood that his address was not in
favor Of or against any particular as
pirant for the Democratic nomination
for the presidency. His subject was
the New York Platform" and he re-
peated several times during the course
of his address that he was discussing
measures only and not men.
Mr. Bryan in opening said he had
hired the hall and introduced himself
because he did not care to speak under
the auspices OF any organiza ton which
was committed to any particular as
pirant for office. my concern" he
said, SIS not about the name or the per
sonality of the nominee. but about the
pr lciples for which the Democratic
party is to stand While many of the
papers seem TO assume that the con
test for the Democratic nomination is
necessarily between Judge Parker and
Mr. Hearst and that every Democrat
must either be for one or the other.
such position is Illogical and without
foundation. My own position is one of
neutrality. / regard as available all
candidates who are III favor Of making
tho haUltpr. tir ,uptt- nv honest A, -
nest and courageous exponent of the
rights and interests Of the masses.
The New York platform is dishon-
est PLATFORM said Mr. Bryan, "ft only
for dishonest party. No one but an
artfuI dodger would stand upon it. The
submission of such a platform to the
voters of state is an insult to their
intelligence, for it is intended TO de-
ceive them. and a deliberate attempt to
deceive-especially so clumsy an at
tempt as this platform isis a refec-
ton upon the brains OF those to whom
it is submitted. This platform proves
that the opposition TO the Kansas City
platform is not opposition to silver, but
opposition to every needed reform and
opposition to all that the masses de-
sire"
Taking this platform as text"
continued the speaker, Il am sangulne
enough TO believe that l can prove to
every unbiased mind that Judge Par
ker is not a fit man to be nominated
either by the Democratic party or by
any other party that stands for hon.
esty or fair dealing in politics. l can.
not hope to convince those who favor
deception and fraud in politics, but
am satisfied that we now have evil
dencc sufficient to convict Judge Par
ker Of absolute unfitness for the nomi-
nation.
"The New York platform is ambigu-
GUS, uncertain, evasive and dishonest.
1t would disgrace the Democrats of the
nation to adopt such a platform, and it
ought to defeat as an aspirant for
Democratic nomination any man who
would be willing to have it 20 forth as
a declaration of his views on public
questions. In Illinois, in Wisconsin. in
Michigan, in Minnesota, in Indiana. in
Ohio and in every other state that has
not acted ii behooves the Democrats to
arouse themselves and organize Ia the
end that they may prevent the consum-
nation of the schemes of the reorgan-
izers.