The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1907-04-19
SOME WILL TALK
John Temple Graves Makes Most
Foolish Proposition u
AIT "A BRYAN BANQUET

aN sahN h~buuVSSSts In
When 1t Was Found Out That III,
Was Going to Advise Bryan t.
Nominate Roosevelt for Presiden
Hc Was Not Allowed to Speak Un
til Bryan Requested That He HI
Heard.
Editor John Temple Graves suR.
gestion that w. J. Bryan nominate
Roosevelt, which tho Atlanta editor
intended In eulogistical speech to
Bryan banqueters Wednesday eve
ming Mt Chattanooga, Tenn, was de.
nied utterance.
John Tomlinson OF Birmingham
one Of the speakers and toastmasters
met Graves on his arrival from At.
lanta' at noon, and requested ommis-
sion or this reference in his speech
Hrsulng It's lmpropriety in view OF
| bryan presence at tho banquet.
Col. Graves declined to alter his
views or subject his speech to cen
sorship. He attended the banquet as
an invited guest, remaining but a
| snort while, when he left the banquet
nall for an Atlanta train. Wednes-
day afternoon Mr.. Graves addressed
letter to the president Of the BRYAN
Anniversary club, defending his po-
sition.
In his letter Mr.. Graves declared
| that he yielded to no ono in his pro-
found and affectionate regard for
MIR. Bryan and for tho Democratic
party, but that he was profoundly
convinced that in this period Of tre-
mendous economic crisis the only
man who can carry to successful con.
clusion the reform instituted In be-
half OF the people was the man who
is already cntrenched I'm the power
and prestige Of dauntless courage and
IL conspicuous success In tho eXecu-
tive Office
Continuing. he said: MY reasons
for stating this conviction at q Bryan
banquet, with Mr. Bryan present. was
because l considered 1t the manly
and Democratic thing to do.
The time to voice n sentiment SO
momcntous to tho life and prosperity
and to the realization Of the best
ideals Of a real Democracy Is in q
counsel Of the faithful and in tho
full presence OF our great and shin
ming leader who would be there to
comment, to approve or to condemn
with the full force Of his influence
and eloqucnce as he might see Mt.
1T appears to me that the only
fair and honest thing to do was to
speak my convictions in full council
and with open voice. In this belief
my speech, upon the request Of the
Associated Press has already been
sent out to the newspapers Of the
country.
II have not one particle Of dog
matism, nor any mere pride OF per-
sonal opinion, In pressing this mat
ter, but the publicly already given to
my speech commits mo to 1t SO far
that | can not encourage. or in con-
sistency, suppress that part on which
the whole revolvcs."
Latcr Mr.. Graves, after being per-
suaded by members Of the club and
at tho request Of Mr.. Bryan himself,
took his place at the banquet table
and delivered his speech. Graves,
who is the editor OF the Atlanta Geor-
CLAN, Is an erratic sort of man, al
though he IS brilliant speaker. His
speech at Chattanooga will not sur
prise any one who knows him
State Senator j. b. Frazier re-
spOncd to Mr.. Graves address, de-
claring that the Democrats could not
afford to take such action.
Bryan Speaks.
In beginning his address Mr.. Bryan
paid MS respects to Mr.. Graves and
what he had said. He complimcnted
.hr. Graves I'm tho highest manner for
his honesty and his boldness and said
If there was any place In the world
where absolute freedom OF speech
should prevail 1t ought to be in n
Democratic gathering. He added that
when he had heard that Mr.. Graves
and retired from tho hall because
there might be doubts about the wis
dom OF what he had to Gay, he had
sent for the Georgia editor to return
and insisted that the speech ehould
be delivered Turning directly to the
subject OF Mr.. Graves recommenda-
ton, Mr.. Bryan said
AS at present advised I shall not
present tho name OF Theodore Roose-
welt to the National Democratic con-
vention. Bear In mind, l say, as at
present.
Mr.. Bryan contended that If after
mature consideration and reflection
and the presentation OF arguments
In the case, he shou'd feel that his
duty lay In that direction, he would
present Mr. Roosevelt's name. even
though It should prove to be the last
oct Of his life.
He then went on to say that If any
Republican was to be selected by the
Democrats to head their national
ticket the man should be Senator La
Toilette OF Wisconsin. Mr.. Bryan
then proceeded with his speech. pro
sentig reasons why. in his opinion.
Mr.. Roosevelt was not the proper
mas for the presidency.