The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-07-17
Into the Party.

London, July 12.-William ]. BRYAN
having had the opportunity Of reading
American newspapers consented today
TO discuss some of the questions which
have been raised since he has again
become prominent as a presidential
possibility. He said:
i notice that l am now described
as a conservative ana IN order that
there may be no misunderstanding on
that subject permit me to say that in
n sense | always have been a CON
serVatlVe. The democratic policies
are conservative in that they embodv
Old principles applied to new cOndi-
lions. Ihere was nothing new in
principle in either of the platforms on
which | stood. We were accused OF
attacking property, when in fact the
democratic party is the defender of
property, because it e~ndeavors TO draw
the line between honest accummula-
tlOn OF honest methods on the one
SIDE, and predatory wealth and immOr-
al methods on the other. 1t is to the
interest of every honest man that dis
honesty should be exposed and pun
ished; otherwise the deserving are
apt to suffer for the undeserving. If
however, by the word conservative
they mean that | have changed my DO
sition on any public question, Or mod
Grated my opposition to corporate ag-
grandizement they have a surprise
waiting for them. | am more radical
than | was in 1896, and have nothing
to withdraw on economical questions
which have been under discussion.
THE only question we discussed in
1896 upon which there has been any
apparent change is the silver question,
and that has not been a change in the
advocates of bimetalism, but in con-
ditiOns. We cOntended for more
money and urged the free coinage Of
silver as the only means then in sight
Of securing it. The increased produc-
ton of gold has brought in part the
benefit we expected to secure from the
restoration of silver. The per capita
volume of money in the United States
is almost 5 per cent greater now than
it was in 1896, and the benefits brought
by this increase have not only vindi-
Gated the ~Quantitve theory OF money
but have proven the benefits of the
larger amount of money. No advocate
O fthe gold standard can claim the tri-
umph of his logic.
Il believe in bimetalism, and | be-
lieve that the restoration of silver
would bring still further prosperity,
besides the restoring to par in eX-
change between gold and silver-using
countries. but | recognize. as DO all
other bimetallists whom have met
abroad that the unexpected increase in
gold production has for the present re-
moved the silver question as an issue.
While the money question has
waned in importance. other questions
have been forging 10 the front. and TO
these questions We must apply the
same principles we applied 10 the
money question. and seek to secure the
greatest good TO the greatest number
by legislation which conforms to the
doctrine Of equal rights for all and
special privileges 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 many
did rot understand it and were fright
pned into opposition. We cannot expect
supper of any one who is interested
in taking advantage OF the people
either through rust or through any
other illegitimate form Of business.
: Our efforts should be TO distinguish
between those corporations which are
legitimate and those a~ggTegations q
wealth which are organized Tor pur-
poses of public plumber and appeal fol
support TO those only who are VIII
ing 10 have the government protec'
. each person in the enjoyment Of hi:
own earnings
The newspapers have been tryinE
10 create friction between what the,
call old friends and new friends il
politics. Those are friends who ar
working towards a common end. ant
each campaign brings TO some exten
a new alignment. In 1886 the party
lost many democrats and was recruit
ed by a great many who had been re
publicans UP 10 that time and We vel
coined them. In 1900 some cam
back who were against US in 1896, anC
we did not shut the door against them
I have no idea that the party viii re
| ouire tickets of admission in the com
ing campaign. Usually parties are e
.rx;auS IN sscure recruits that pas