Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-15
w. j. BR YAM
ANNOUNCES
CANDIDACY
C0MM0NER WILL NOT SEEK
NOMINATION
VOTERS MUST DECIDE UPON
AVAILABILITY
"No Matter Whom Republicans Name,
If Party Demands Me | Am
Ready" Nebraskan's
Attitude
BY Associated Press.

By Associated Press.
LINCOLN, Neb., Nov 14.-william j.
Bryan will accept the Democratic nomi-
nation for president in 1905 but he viii
neither ask nor make fight for It, He
says that for a year or more he has
been pressed to answer the question,
'Will you accept the nomination. and
hc believes the public is entitled to an
answer and to know the position he oc-
cupies.
The question that ought to weigh most,
he says. is whether his nomination will
strengthen the Democratic party more
than the nomination of some one else
Not only will he not seek or ask for a
nomination but he will not assume to de-
eide the question of ability and If the
prize falls to another he will neither be
disappointed nor disgruntled. AT the
Fame time he denies he has waited this
long In desire to see whom the Re-
ascertain the chances of victory
Mr.. Bryan says:
Now that the elections of 1907 are
passed and plans are being made for
next years campaign, I feel that etate-
nent is due to the public. Those who
prefer another candidate are entitled to
know my position, and those who favor
an answer to the question so often put.
VIII you accept a nomination.? My re-
fusal to answer the question has led to
the circulation of many false reports, and
unfriendly newspapers have taken ad-
vantage of my silence to misrepresent
my attitude.
Amply Rewarded
3I will not ask for nor seek a nomina-
tion nor assume to decide the question
cf my availability. I have been so am
ply recompensed by my party for what
have done and endeavored to do that
cannot claim nomination as a reward
| Neither should ambition be considered
for have had honors enough from my
party to satisfy any reasonable ambition
The only question that ought to weigh
with the party is whether the party can
be strengthened and aided more by my
nomination than by the nomination of
some one else. If L can serve the party
by being it's candidate, 1 will accept the
commission and make the best fight
can.
"If, however, the choice falls on anoth-
er / will not be disappointed or dis
Gruntled. My availability is a question
to be decided not by me, not by few
leaders, not even by the leading newspa-
pers that call themselves Democratic, but
by the voters of the party, and to them
entrust the decision of the question.
They are the supreme court in all mat
ters concerning conditions, as they are in
matters concerning the platform.
Fight to Be Aggressive
"I assume that they will not select
me unless they desire to make an ag-
gressive fight for the presentation of
Democratic principles to present condi-
tions, and l also take it for granted that
the organization of the party will be in
| h. xsyitI, he Nat nd xrf1l I,e
composed of men whose political records
will invite confidence and give assurance
that victory If won will not be bar
rem victory.
"The Republicans must nominate either
reformer, a stand-patter, one whose
position on public questions is unknown,
and the course of the Democratic party
should be the same, no matter which ele-
ment controls the Republican campaign.
The Democratic rarity must make it's
fight for what it believes. While it may
take advantage of Republican mistakes.
IL must depend on its merits for success
and not on the errors of its opponents.
The action of the Republican conven-
ton may have it's influence in the de-
termination of Democratic candidates, but
1t ought not to have any influence IN de-
termining whether the one chosen by the
Democrats should ;.ccept the nomination.
If the rank and file of the Democratic
Z
make it, no matter who may be the Re-
publican nominee.
Policies Find Favor
''No one can estimate the chances of
the party in the next campaign with suf-
ficient accuracy to make his candidate
dependent upon the outlook. While
Democrats have reason to be encouraged
by the fact that Democratic principles
have grown in popularity and that Demo-
cratic policies are now praised by many
who denounced them few years ago,
and while further encouragement is to
be derived from the fact that the Demo-
cratic party is more united than it has
Leen for many years and the Republican
party more divided, still the action of the
Democratic party cannot be made de-
pendent on the prospects of success.
"If the members of the party believe
that my nomination will help the party.
its principles and its policies, ! will ac-
cept the nomination, whether the indica-
tions point to defeat or victory. A defeat
can bring no disgrace where the cause Is
Just one, but cowardice would be dis
graceful especially in one who is so
deeply indebted to. his party as am.
''The rext campaign will be an appeal
to the public conscience. The Republicans
have sought not only the corrupt use OF
large campaign funds, but The only
source from which they can be drawn,
namely, the corporations that seek to
convert the government into business
asset. The Democratic party stands for
the doctrine of equal rights TO all, and
special privileges to none, and therefore
cannot promise our voters TO favor seek
irg corporations
Must Buy None
'If it made such promises to the cor
roratiors it would De guilty Of duplictty,
for IL would have to betray the voters,
Goentinued ON Pare Two.l