The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-15
Ntbraskan Does Not fisk or Seek This Favor From
 the Democracy
CANDIDACY DEPENDENT
 UPON FITNESS FOR PLACE
Mir. 5ryan's Statement In His Own Publication Leaves No Doubt As to the Principles That Con-
 trol His Actions.

Lincoln, Neb., November 14.-William J. Bryan announces in The Commoner to- morrow that he will accept the demo- cratic nomination for President if the party thinks he will make the strongest candidate. and take it no matter who IS the republican nominee or what the re- publican platform
 He assumes that the organization of the party will be In harmony with the platform and be composed of men whose records will invite confidence
 Mir. Bryan says democrats must make an aggressive fight on platform calling for reform. If the republicans nominate reformer. SD much the better for the democrats, because republican reformers advocate democratic doctrines
 The next campaign will be an appeal to public conscience. and no one should fa- vor his nomination unless willing to make all campaign contributions public. Ma tional conscience has already been aroused, and large majority of voters educated to the. necessity for real reform and it only remains for the democratic party to convince voters that it can bs lntrusted with the work of reform.
 Mir. Bryan's statement follows.
 Bryan's Statement
 "A year ago last summer while In Europe, MT. Bryan in an interview stated that 1t was too early to discuss the cam paign of 1908 from a personal standpoint. although during that summer the dem- ocratio conventions in something llke half of the states of the union had passed resolutions complimentary to him and mentioned his name in connection with the democratic nomination for president. He has from time to tune refused to dis~ cuss the availability either of himself or other candidates, beliec1hk that the party should have all the light possible
 attempting selection. A presid candidate should fit the platform al by his party. and platforms are fit the conditions existing when u
 form Is made No one can see
 ahead or speak with certainty
 issues or as to the relative imp
 of issues in the campaign. Some
 day will change the situation, anC months may bring forward a ne'
 which will have important
 upon the availability of a candidai this reason MT. Bryan has refnseu to make any announcement as to his own position, although he has from time to time discussed issues old and new Now
  are being made for next years cani- paign he feels that a statement Is due to the public. Those who prefer another candidate are entitled to know his posi- ton, and those who favor his nonnu- ton have right to demand an. answer tp the question so often put-Will you ac- cept nomination? His refusal to af- swer the question has led to the circu- lation of many false reports, and un friendly newspapers have taken advan- tage of his silence to msrepresent his at titude.
 Asks No Nomination.
 MT. Bryan will not ask for or seek a nomination; and he will not assume to decide the question of his availability. He has been so amply recompensed by his party for what he has done and for what he has endeavored to do that he can not claim a nomination as reward; neither should his ambition be considered. for he has had honors enough from his party to satisfy any reasonable am bition. The only question that ought to weigh with the party is whether thel party can he strengthened and aided more by his nomination than by tho nomination of someone else. If he can serve the party by being it's candidate. he will accept the commission and make the best fight he can If, however, the choice falls upon another. he will not be disappointed or disgruntled. His avall- ability is question to be decided nor by him, not by few leaders, not even by the leading newspa pcrs that call them selves democratic, but by the voters ofl the party and to them he intrusts the de- cision of the duestion-they are the su- preme court in all matters concerning candidates. as they are in all matters concerning the platform.
 He assumes that they will not selectl f.t .I. a1~. a1 gressive fight for tho application of deni- ocratc principles to present conditions. and he also takes it for granted that the organization of the party will be in har- mony with the platform and will be composed of men whose political records will invite confidence and give assurance that victory, if won, will not be a barren victory.
 Independent Action.
 Tt has been asserted that MT. Bryan was waiting to see who the republican nominee would be. This is untrue. He has never felt that his position should be dependent upon the action taken by the republican party. The republicans must nominate either a reformer, g. standpatter or one whose position on public questions is unknown, and the course of the democratic party should be the same no matter which element controls the republican convention. The QtfnOcTdIlC party must Hitthc US liSlll ioT what it believes. While it may take ad- vantage of republican mistakes. 1t 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 nominate a candidate who is believed to be favorable to reform. such nomination will strengthen democratic doctrines, be- cause republican reformers advocate the reforms that the democrats have advocat- ed before them and the democrats cannot afford to surrender their position because the republicans give partial indorsement to few democratic doctrines. If the republicans nominate one who straddles the issues and attempts to take both sides. it lis none the less necessary for the democratic party to make an aggres- sive fight. The action of the republican convention may have its influence in the