New-York tribune., 1907-11-15
WILLING TO RUN
UW Accept Presidential Nomina-
ton. but Not 1Sk for It,

Lincoln, NED, NOV II II inc rank anu lll6
of the Democratic party desire Mr.. Bryan to
make the he will make it. no matter who
may be the Republican nominee"
This fiat declaration announcing his willing
ness TO accept the Democratic Presidential
nomination next year. will he made by William
Jennings Bryan i'll to-morrows issue OF his
paper THE Commoner." under the caption
Mr.. Bryans Position" He will, at the same
time mot ask for or seek nomination"
In the article Mr.. Bryan will say that for
year or more he has been pressed to answer
the question. ''Wiu you accept the nomination."
and he believes the public is entitled TO an an
swer and to know the position he occupies. The
question that ought TO weigh most he will say
is whether his nomination will strengthen the
Democratic party more than the nomination of
some one else.
WILLING TO HAVE ANOTHER SAMED
Not only will he not seek or ask for the nomi-
nation but he viii not assume to decide the
question Of availability and if the prize falls to
another he will neither be disappointed nor dis
gruntled. At the same time the article viii
deny that he has waited this long in a desire to
see whom the Republicans are likely to nomi-
nate or to ascertain the chances Of victory.
The text OF the article follows:
A year ago last summer. while in Europe Mir
Bryan in an interview stated that it was too
personal standpoint. although during that sum
mer the Democratic conventions in something
like half of the states Of the Union had passed
resolutions complimentary TO him and men
toned his name in connection with the Demo-
cratic nomination for President. He has from
time to time refused TO discuss the aVaila bllity
either of himself or other candidates. believing
that the party should have all the light possible
before attempting selection A PRESIDENTIAL
candidate should fit the platform adopted by
his party, and platforms are made to fit the
conditions existing when the platform is made
1rarN far al "
certainty to the issues as to the relative
Importance of issues in a campaign. Sometimes
a day will change the situation, and few
months may bring forward new issue which
will have an important bearing upon the availa-
bility of a candidate. For this reason Mr..
Bryan has refused 10 make any announcement
TO his position, although he has from
time TO time discussed issues old and new. Now
that the election of 1907 is past and plans are
being made for next years campaign, he feels
that a statement is due 70 the public. Those
who prefer another candidate are entitled to
know his position, and those who favor his NOM
ination have a right to demand an answer to
the question so often put-WiH you accept q
nomination? His refusal to answer the ques-
tion has led to the circulation of many false re-
ports and unfriendy newspapers have taken
advantage of his silence TO msTepresent MS at
titude.
Mr.. Bryan will not ask for or seek a nomina-
ton; and he will not assume TO decide the ques-
tion of his availability. He has been amply
recompensed by his party for what he has done
and for what he has endeavored to do that he
cannot claim nomination as a reward neither
should his ambition be considered. for he has
had honors enough from his party to satisfy any
reasonable ambition. The only question that
ought to weigh with the party is whether the
party be strengthened and aided more by
his nomination than by the nomination of some
one else. If he serve the party by being
its candidate he will accept the commission and
make the best fight he can. If. however, the
choice falls upon another he will not be disap-
pointed or disgruntled. His availability is
question to be decided not by him. not by few
leaders. not even by the leading newspapers that
call themselves Democratic, but by the voters
of the party. and to them ne intrusts the de-
cision of the question-they are the supreme
court I'm ALL matters concerning candidates. as
they are in all matters concerning the platform.
FOR AN AGGRESSIVE FIGHT.
He assumes that they will not select him
lesa they desire to make an aggressive fight for
the application OF democratic prlhclples 10 pres,
ent conditions, and he also takes IL for granted
that the organization of the party will be in
harmony with the platform and will be COM
posed of men whose political records will invite
confidence and give assurance that a victory If
won will not be barren victory.
1t has been asserted that Mr.. Bryan was wait
ing to see who the Republican nominee would
he This is untrue He has never felt that his
position should be dependent upon the action
taken by the Republican party. The Republi-
cans must nominate either reforlner, stand
patter or one whose position on public questions
is unknown. and the course Of the Democratic
party should be the same no matter which ele-
menf controls the Republican convention. The
Democratic party must make its fight for what
1t believes While ii may take advantage Of
Republican mistakes. il must depend upon its
merits for success and not upon the errors Of
IT'S opponents If the Republicans nominate
standpatter the Democrats can take advantage
of the educational work that has been done by
Republican reformers; If the Republicans nomi-
nate a candidate who is believed TO be favorable
TO reform such a nomination will strengthen
formers advocate the reforms that the Demo-
Continued on fourth page
aere1 Al usRER,s THE SCOTCH