The state herald., 1907-11-22
BRYAN READY
TO RUN AGAIN
TWICE A CANDIDATE WILL NOT
REFUSE ANOTHER NOM.
NATION.
HE STATES POSITION
WILL NOT ASK FOR OR SEEK
NOMINATION BUT ABIDE BY
HIS PARTY's DECISION.

Lincoln, Neb.-William ]. Bryan Will
accept the Democratic nomination for
President in 1908, If 1t is rendered to
him.
This Is the gist of a statement that
appears under the heading, "Mr.
Bryans Position" in prominent
place on the editorial page of this
weeks Commoner. He makes 1t very
plain that he will not seek or ask
for the nomination, but II the rank
and file desire him to take II, he Will
accept, no matter who the Republican
nominee may be or no matter what
the prospects for success are. He says
he has deemed 1t proper to make this
statement at this time, so that his po-
sition may not be misrepresented or
misunderstood. He says he has been
amply recompensed by the party for
all he has done, and is willing to fight
in the ranks without being disap-
pointed or disgruntled. He will not,
however, permit his availability to be
passed upon by few leaders or news
papers that call themselves Demo
cratic, but intrusts the decision to the
voters of the party only. His state
ment follows:
EullDTltl bldltllltul DN MI. pi an III
Thursdays issue OF the Commoner:
"a year ago last summer, while in
Europe, Mr.. Bryan. In an interview,
stated that II was too early 20 discuss
the campaign of 1908 from a personal
standpoint, although during that sum
mer the Democratic conventions In
something like half of the states of
the union had passed resolutions com
plimentary to him and mentioned his
name in connection with the Demo
cratic nomination for President. He
has from time TO time refused to dis
cuss the availability either of himself
or other candidates believing that the
party should have all the light possible
before attempting a selection. A presi-
dental candidate should III the plat.
form adopted by his party, and plat
forms are made to fit the conditions
existing when the platform is made.
/ No one can see very far ahead or speak
/ with certainty as to the issues or as
| to the relative importance of issues In
! the campaign. Sometimes day will
/ change the situation. and few
months may bring forward n new Is
/ sue which will have an important
/ bearing upon the availability of n can
| didate.
For this reason MIR. Bryan has re-
fused to make any announcement Ms Ia
| his own position although he has from
| time to time discussed issues old and
new. Now that the election Of 1907
l is past and plans are being made for
next years campaign, he feels that n
| statement Is due the public. Those
who prefer another candidate are en-.
| titled to know his position. and those
/ who favor his nomination have n right
/ TO demand an answer TO the question
SO often put-'Will you accept the
nomination. His refusal TO answer
the question has led to the circulation
Of many false reports and unfrlendly
newspapers have taken advantage OF
his silence TO misreprcsent his atti
I tude.
"Mr. Bryan will not ask for or seek
n nomination; and he will not assume
TO decide the question Of his avail
ability. He has been so amply recon-
pensod by his party for what he has
done and for what he has endeavorcd
to do that he cannot claim n nomina
ton as n reward. neither should his
ambition be considered. for he has had
honors enough from his party TO sat
isfy any reasonable ambition. The
only question that ought to weigh
with the party is whether the party
can be strengthened and aided more
by his nomination than by the nominn
tion Of someone else. II he can servo
the party by being It's candidate he
VIII accept the commission and make
the best fight he can.
III the Republicans nominate one
who straddles the issues and attempts
20 take both sides. II In none the less
necessary for the Democratic party %
make an aggressive fight. The action
OF tho Republican convention may
have Its influence In determining the
relative availability OF the Democratic
candidates. but I, ought not To have
amy influence In determining the auea
ton whether the one chosen by the
Democrats should accept the nomina
tion. II the rank aud iiic Of the Demo
cratic party desire MIR. Bryan 10 mako
the race. ho will make II. no matter
who may be the Republican nominee.