Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-13
A BRYAN DECLARATION
SAYS he Is NO CONSERVATIVES
URGES vIRILE PLATFORM

- ~ y oi having Idu the oppoI-
tunity of reading American newspapers.
consented yesterday in London to discuss
some of the questions which have been
raised since he has again become prominent
as a presidential possibility He said
L notice that I am now described by
some as conservative and in order that
there may be no misunderstanding on that
subject permit me to say that in one sense
L always have been a conservative The
democratic policies are conservative in that
they embody old principles applied to new
conditions.
There was nothing new In principle in
either Of the platforms on which I stood
We were accused of attacking property
when. in fact. the democratic party is the
defender of property because 1t endeavors
to draw the hne between honest accumula-
ton by honest methods on the one side and
predatory wealth and immoral methods on
the other.
1T is to the interest of every man that
dishonesty should be exposed and punished;
otherwise the deserving are apt to suffer for
the undeserving II. however, by the word
conservative they mean that have changed
my position on any public question or mod
Grated my opposition to corporate aggran-
dizement they have surprise waiting for
them.
More Radical Than Ever.
II am more radical than I was in 1896
and have nothing to withdraw on economic
questions which have been under discus
sion The only question we discussed in
1896 upon which there has been any appar-
ent change is the silver question. and that
has not been change in the advocates of
bmetalltsm, but In the conditions.
I'VE contended for more money and urged
the free coinage of silver as the only means
then in sight of securing it. The increased
production of gold has brought In part the
n n fhG VOC
toration of silver. The per capita volume
Of money in the United States is almost 80
per cent greater now than it was in 1896,
and the benefits brought by this increase
have not only vindicated the quanutative
theory of money, but have proven the bene-
fits of the larger amount OF money.
NO advocate of the gold standard can
claim the triumph of his logic. I believe
in bimetallism, and I believe that the res
toration of silver would bring still further
prosperity. besides restoring par in ex-
tries: but 1 recognize. as do all other bimet-
allists whom I have met abroad, that the
unexpected and unprecedented increase IN
gold production has for the present re-
moved the silver question as an issue
Equal Rights for All.
while the money question has waned in
Importance other questions have been forg-
ing to the front and to these questions we
must apply the same principles we applied
10 Inc money question: anu Scth ~ ocSuic
the greatest good to the greatest number
by legislation which conforms to the doc
trne of equal rights for all and special priv
iIeges for none. On the new questions many
will act with us who were against US on
the money question. for, notwithstanding
the discussion of that question, millions did
not understand 1t and were frightened into
opposition.
I'VE cannot EXPECT the support OF any
one who is interested In taking advantage
of the people. either through trusts or
through any other illegitimate form of bust
ness. Our efforts should be to distinguish
between those corporations which are legiti-
mate and those aggregations of wealth
which are orga nized for purposes of public
plumber. and appeal for support to those
only who are willing to have the govern
ment protect each person IN the enjoyment
Of his own earnings.
ssThe newspapers have been trying to
create friction between what they call old
friends and new friends in politics. Those
are friends who are working toward a COM
mon end. and each campaign brings to some
extent a new alignment. In 1896 the party
lost many democrats and was recruited by
a great many who had been republicans up
to that time. and we welcomed them. In
1900 some came back who were against us
in 1886. and we did not shut the door
against them. have no idea that the party
will require tickets Of admission in the
coming campaign.
Will Welcome Prodigals.
Usually parties are so anxious to secure
recruits that past differences are not en-
pilasixed II there II sincere agreement on
present issues. do not know that we can
ana better plan than the Bible plan. which
admits the eleventh hour conner to a place
in the vineyard and to share the reward
with those who BEGAN earlier. ! think this
Sc sound politics. AZ well az sound religion.
provided the new recruit comes to work and
not 70 interfere with the other laborers
ssB1t. Of course. when an oveJseer has to